Margo wrote:
Thanks for the link..... just the info I was looking for tonight.

Joyce

Get Ricky's GRAND FINALE dvd.... it is great and he does all of his work on a domestic machine..... the techniques he teaches are a MUST KNOW for all machine quilters....

I personally like burying the not cause I do not care... tiny stitches or not.... my thread would work loose in my "HEIRLOOM," KEEP FOREVER , SOME DAY THEY WILL BE IN A MUSEUM QUILTS....

When I start quilting I take one stitch, holding on to the end of the top thread. Then I pull the bottom thread to the top. Pulling both threads to the side, I take a few stitches in place before beginning quilting. I cut the ends off next to the quilt.
When I am at the end of my quilting I take a few stitches in place, and then cut the ends on back and front.
Rebecca
http://www.quilterscrossroads.com
check out the free patterns and fun.

Mary Kay, you also might find this video helpful. She's working on a long-arm machine, but the principle is the same for burying any knots.

http://sharonschambernetwork.com/free_area/videos/knots/index.html

I am about to jump off into my next quilting experience, so all of this advice is VERY APPRECIATED!!! Thank you, All! Mary Kay

Mary Kay -- a belated reply -- if you haven't found the self-threading needles yet, I got mine at the hardware store, of all places -- Ace Hardware.

I rather think they were Singer brand, but, in any event, they were discovered hanging in a small display of assorted basic sewing notions.

And yes, you want both the top and bottom threads involved -- bring both to the top of the quilt (or bottom, if you prefer) before knotting & burying. Knotting them together ensures the knot's right up against the fabric, so your last stitch won't loosen.

If you've never done this before -- to bring up the bottom thread, pull gently on the top thread. The bottom thread should appear as a little loop. Catch this with a pin or needle, and pull it up. Don't cut the threads too short to knot!

I seem to remember that Ricky showed a method where you can get the underneath thread to the top (or other way round) in order to tie together and then bury. Does anybody remember where I saw that? thanks

Mary Kay -- Another thing that works well is to use a needle threader with a large eye needle. I use these all the time when working with thread or yarn. You can also get these are Joanns. Deb

http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=&PRODID=prd11074

Thanks, Margo! I will look for them at JoAnn's! Hope you had a great Christmas! Mary Kay

The truth be told, I've never tried these, but this brand was recommended by a vendor at a booth in Houston. They are Dritz brand and should be relatively easy to find.

Leafy - I have heard of the self-threading needles. But have not seen them at the LQS. What brand should I be looking for? Thanks!

Thanks, All! Great advice! Mary Kay

I have to admit that in hand quilting I do the tiny stitch at the end of the thread but I have started doing it on the back and not the front. When I do the knot at bury it I don't get the knot close enough to the last stitch and the last stitch is loose. I need patience and practice. I did watch and do Sharon Schamber's method on the machine stitching I did on my last quilt. It worked great.

The easiest method is to take 1/4" or so of very small stitches at the beginning and ending of your stitching line. These won't pull out in average use & washing. The slippery new polyester threads might not hold as well as regular cotton.

For a nicer finish, make a small knot of the two loose ends (on top of the quilt), then bury the knot & loose ends inside the quilt. When I do this, I use one of those "self-threading" needles -- you don't need to get your threads through the eye, just pop them in thru the little slot.

I've been told that burying thread ends is the way to go if you're entering competitions; but, I've seen blue ribbons on quilts that used the tiny-stitching method, too.