I am working on a quilt-as-you-go pattern. Sometimes the seams overlap on the back if I have not guessed the distance to the edge correctly while assembling the block. (see awful pictures)

Can I pick out the couple of extra stitches, or will this compromise the strength of the seam?

I think you pick the stitches out

If you pick them out, you stand a chance of them unraveling. I would leave your thread tails long, and then you can unpick, knot and bury them. I would leave these ones alone :wink: :D:D:D

I would leave them in for now. If you unpick them, you'd have to use fray check or something else to stabilize them so the rest of the thread doesn't come loose.

For next time:
When sewing that piece in the block, I would have gone ALL the way off the edge so it wouldn't be a problem and I wouldn't have to worry about where to stop.

If you were consistent, those lines would have met up (or close enough) on the back. And if they were a bit off, it wouldn't look any worse than the little knot hills from stopping and starting in the middle of the block (unless you were going to bury all your threads).

Or I would have used a thread color to match the back so it wouldn't be so noticeable.

For the record, it's only really noticeable to YOU. I'm only seeing it because you've got a close-up.
This fails the "Can I see if from a galloping horse?" category. :mrgreen:

It's not a big deal. But you can keep the other options in mind for the next quilt.

Isn't it a great method! I LOVE QAYG.

If the tails on them are long enough, you should be able to pick them out, put a knot in it and bury the knot inside. It's not always easy to judge where the seam will meet on the other side. Good luck.

thank you!

Did you back stitch the ends? If you did, you might have enough thread to tie and bury the ends if you carefully unpick the stitches.
If you don't have enough thread to tie, I would try a sample in an hidden spot. Drop a bit of fray check on the stitching line (on both sides) where you want your thread to end. Wait for that one spot to completely dry and unpick the two or three stitches up to the fray check and clip. See if they hold before doing any more.They don't look bad with the thread colour being close, I would probably leave them alone.

It's a beautiful quilt. I would leave the threads as they are because I don't think they will be noticed by anyone but you.

I won't report u to the quilt police!

Welcome to the board from Southern California!!!