After quilting the quilt (by machine) and you turn it over to the back...to clip the thread ends...how far do you clip the threads? I either do 2-3 back stitches to secure the threads or my machine has that "tack" stitch where you press it and it "tacks" about 5 times in the same place than stops. But still...either way, there are very short threads on the back. 1/4" maybe. Do I cut them back to the fabric or leave them as is? Leaving them as is...if the thread is not exact match...looks rather sloppy.

I am my own worst critique and I do my quilts with the thought in my head..."would I pay $100 for this quilt?". If the answer is no, I redo. If I were going to buy the quilt... I would not want those threads showing as it looks sloppy, but...if I cut them to close..the stitching might unravel.

So...experts...what is the best way to secure machine quilting threads on the finished product?