Sewing question

**cwford** · 08-12-2011, 14:11

So I have been bitten by the DIY bug. I bought myself a Singer 501 "Rocketeer" (much to the giggles of my wife and kids) and then proceeded to make hundreds of straight stitch lines on scrap fabric figuring out tension etc. Then I made several stuff sacks, a black bishop bag and 2 gathered end hammocks. They all came out well enough. Next on my list is a couple of tarps.

In pursuit of this new obsession, I have have spent countless hours reading through this and other DIY forums and have seen a number of references to "tying off and clipping the ends". I typically do a "lock stitch" by reversing machine direction at the beginning and at then again at end of the seam / hem. Then I just clip the loose ends. It seems that if you do a "lock stitch" as described above that its almost impossible to tie off the ends because they're not at the edge.

So am I correct in my thinking? Is this the correct way? Should I do it differently?

**Ramblinrev** · 08-12-2011, 14:57

I'll usually forward/back/forward which puts the threads at the edges. But to be honest I have never tied the ends. It would do no harm but I don't see much of a point to it either. Unless of course you are reading a reference which is talking about hand stitching. There you do tie and snip. But that's hand work not machine work. That's my thinking.

**cwford** · 08-12-2011, 15:10

Hmm I like the forward/back/forward method of lock stitching. That seems a bit more secure. I think will switch to that and just clip the ends.

**Canoexist** · 08-13-2011, 10:10

Yes, let the machine do the work!

**jima59** · 08-13-2011, 11:08

I let the machine do it, back, and forth some then snip. I also don't worry about it trying to be a beauty contest because its just to sleep under and be strong in the winds. As someone else around here said that if you get so close you starting evaluating my seam sewing, you are just too darn close.

**te-wa** · 08-13-2011, 13:14

when you use polyester or nylon thread, it helps to carefully burn your tag ends with a flame. this seals the thread and prevents unraveling.

**thejennabird** · 08-13-2011, 20:13

Great question! I've always been curious about this myself. I do the forward-back-forward method too. Never tied the ends, didn't see a need to... I do have a problem of cutting my tails too long and forgetting to trim them later! (As you can see from that crazy picture of me and the scissors, cutting hanging threads from inside my hammock)

I appreciate the tip about using a flame to seal the edges. Never thought polyester thread would unravel. Better safe than sorry!