GERRY Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 I've now done 2 paying quilts, & my question is when you restart after you have a thread break (for what ever reason), is it alright to do a back track (like when you are sewing) or should you always leave the thread long, knot & tie, then barry the ends.? Is a back track good enough, for just panto's, (quilts not for show) or will it come apart after several washings, Is what I'm doing o.k.??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlene Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 Hi Gerry, I don't usually bury my threads. If the thread breaks, sometimes I will take out some of the stitches so that it won't be so obvious where I restarted. But when I restart, I take a few small stitches on top of the previous stitches. I sure hope it doesn't come apart. I haven't had any complaints so far. Char Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 Generally, I'm a knot and bury girl. I know most folks don't do that. If I'm in the middle of a dense background fill or something like that, I'll just backtrack. Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stagecl Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 I back track on pantos...tying off takes more time. Cheryl Mathre Stone Creek Quilting Sandy Hook, VA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbann03 Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 I have been backtracking. Most of the time you can't even tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TishMarshall Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 Good question Geraldine!! That's what I do as well. Tish Originally posted by GERALDINE I've now done 2 paying quilts, & my question is when you restart after you have a thread break (for what ever reason), is it alright to do a back track (like when you are sewing) or should you always leave the thread long, knot & tie, then barry the ends.? Is a back track good enough, for just panto's, (quilts not for show) or will it come apart after several washings, Is what I'm doing o.k.??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sueschellenberg Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 I always knot and burry the ends except at the sides where the binding will go on. I also prefer the look it gives the back - I personally don't like the knots on the back. Just my way though - I don't know how well the backstitching holds up so can't answer that one. Sue S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltaholi_518 Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 On the finer threads, backtracking seems to work fine, but I wish there was a better way for slippery stuff, like the high sheen polys. They don't seem to hold too well. Or what about King Tut and Poly Quilter? Those are so heavy that any backtracking really shows. Unless someone pays me .04-.05/inch, I will not be burying...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GERRY Posted September 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 Hay Caron:) What about a small dot of fray check on a new stop/start, that happens in the middle of a quilt, would that be a good idea, I mean there will be times where there could be alot of the stuff, if a LAer is having breakage prob's, but if the thread is slippery maybe it's a good plan. I have never used fray check, so I'm not sure of the feel of it when it drys, can you see it? & would it help for the long haul ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vwelsh Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 I have used Fray Check and other seam sealants in garment sewing a lot. I wouldn't recommend it for quilting - it often shows as a dark spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bstucker Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 I learned this from someone on this list I think for starting again after a thread break: Go back to a point or inside corner, pull your threads out to this point and tie a square knot and bury, restart your line at this point by taking a few tiny stitches (I bury this thread tail) and go. If I can't remove enough stitches to tie off the thread, I start back about four stitches using very tiny stitches, bury that thread tail, and go. It does take extra time, but its worth it not having to worry about the thread coming. Self -threading needles help a lot for this chore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenscratch Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 I haven't pulled stitches to bury knots when I have had thread break, but I usually make sure the thread hasn't made a nest on the back, then I stitch some very small stitches right over the break. It seems to work for me, but there is probably a better way. Barb, I understand what you are saying about pulling thread and burying ends, but sometimes my stitches are way to small to pull out. Or in some fabrics it is very hard to pull stitches without messing up the fabric. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katie.mac Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 Barbara, Thanks for such a great detailed instruction on how to do this. I've often wondered about doing this too. I have been a backtracker but I think I'll give burying threads another try. Katie http://community.webshots.com/user/katiemcgraw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bstucker Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 Your welcome, Katie. When I pick out stitches, I use these nifty little scissors, called "squizzers"....they have a hook where a regular pair of scissors would have a blade. The hook makes it really easy and safe to lift a stitch and then when you squeeze the handle the stitch is cut. I can pick out the tiniest stitch with these scissors a magnifying glass, and lots of patience. Sometimes, after getting a few stitches loose, I'll hold the top thread with a pair of tweezers, and snip the bobbin thread that's showing.....quite a few of the top stitches will come loose that way. I think you can buy these squizzers from Columbia River. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phyllis Wright Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 Hi Geraldine, I always knot and bury my thread tails. I know it takes a little longer, but I know everything is secure, and I don't like the look of heavy stitching on the back or the front. Just my way, taught by Darlene. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GERRY Posted September 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 O.K. so ,when do you knot & bury your tails, as soon has it happens, or do you leave the tails then knot & bury all your stops & starts after you are finnished & have the quilt off the leaders. I'm not sure how you would go about burying your tails when the quilt is still on the frame. Sorry if I sound a bit dumb, but I haven't any one else to ask these silly questions. I have to know I'm giving my clients the best, & that it will last. I don't want to asume that what I think is the only right way, (back tacking) & not concider there may be a better way (knot & bury). Thanks so much for your opinions, feed back is so important to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bstucker Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 Gerry, When I knot and bury threads, I do it before I advance the quilt, otherwise you can lose them. I also use a piece of transparent tape to hold the tails down and out of the way of the next line of stitching. I can see the tape when I'm finished with that row, and know where I have to start burying threads. If I can't reach the area from the front or back, then I advance the quilt until I can reach it. I would hate having to go back throught the whole quilt and do this once the quilting was finished! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9patch Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 I have used both methods for dealing with the ends of the threads. When I do bury threads I use a self-threading needle to make the job easier. I love the idea of burying them as you go. I hate to take the quilt off the leaders and still have 'finishing' work to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainmanda Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 Gerry- While attending classes in Colorado Springs taught by Myrna Ficken she showed us the burying technique and it looked easy. Of course that may be because it was being done by Myrna who has been quilting for some time now. None the less, she showed us and it did make a difference. Take Care, Manda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jobuck Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 Geraldine: I was the recipient of a quilt that had "several" loose knots. I was less than pleased as I was being paid to make the quilt. I could not deliver it to my customer that way. I felt really uncomfortable going back to the quilter so I repaired it myself on my Bernina. I never went back to the LA and bought a Millie for myself. Jo-Ellen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GERRY Posted September 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 Manda: I'm all ways up for a new & easy way to do something, could you give me a quick run down on how Myrna did it, or maybe Myrna could explain it. jobuck: That's what I am afraid of, I don't want to give clients somthing that woudn't last, or not have them come back, if they are not happy. Hay Barb: I had thought of useing a coloured sticker, to mark the spot were the tails were, I guess I had better start PPPing the bury & knot method. Myrna: if you're able, I could use a quick lesson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phyllis Wright Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 Hi Gerry, I always bury my thread tails as I go. If my bobbin runs out or if I get a thread break, I unpick to a corner, point or some suitable place, fasten those threads to a pin with a yellow head, (just wrap the threads around the pin ), then when I have pulled up my bobbin thread to start again, I also wrap these threads around the same pin, and off I go. When I finish quilting that section, I will go back to the pin, knot all four threads together and thread them in a 4" doll needle, then weave this in between the three layers of the quilt. If I can, I will go through a previously stitched area, which further helps to secure the thread tails. Clear as mud? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bekah Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 Myrna, I am with Gerry, how in the world do you bury a knot? Oh it is probably just like hand quilting when I do applique, right? not real good at making a quilter's knot yet, any suggestions how to make that easier? Gerry, I am so glad you aren't afraid to ask all the questions I think of in the middle of my ppp sessions. only thing is by the time I get back into the house and then to a computer, my brain has had a freeze and they all frozen up and forgotten until the next time:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9patch Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 What about this: Doing a teeny tiny amount of back and forth stitching, then burying the unknotted threads? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ritathequilter Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 HI Gerry Your question is what has bothered me as well since I got my machine. It scared the heck out of me that I would have hundreds of stops and starts and have to bury that tail of thread each time. I can't imagine how long that would take to finish a quilt....then have to go back and bury those ends. Then I bought one of McTavish's books/DVD's and she doesn't bury her ends. She works so fast so you really have to look to see what she's doing but it looks like she just sews on spot for a few stitches, then ships them off. So that's what I'm doing. I've only done a few quilts so I've not had anyone complain yet.....and they're for friends so I doubt they'd say anything anyway. :^) I'm glad you asked the question tho cause it's been bothering me as well. Thanks! Rita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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