I am also a self taught quilter. I quilt straight "north," meaning I use my thimble on my thumb and push the needle straight away from me (north). Jenny Beyers does it opposite, "north to south" straight towards her. But, to answer Persistant's question, you make a knot, and insert the needle in exactly where you made the knot, "travel" inbetween the layers (where the batting is) and come out about a needle's lenght, pull taut and cut the thread near the fabric. This way, the "tail" disappears and cannot be seen. Leaves a lovely quilt finish.