What is the "right" stitch to use in hand sewing? I've always used a running stitch that was close together but I've heard others talk about using a back stitch so that the seams held.
I have hand pieced 12 blocks for a quilt I am making and now I'm wondering if I need to redo these blocks with a back stitch.

I am not sure of the *proper* way to do it, but I still have quilts that my mother made from between 40-50 years ago that are in good shape. She used a running stitch.

I think your blocks are just fine as is. I use a running stitch, with a back stitch after I do a needle-full...so I guess it's every 5 or 6 stitches. I really don't know how much stronger that back stitch makes the seam, so I wouldn't worry about the blocks you already made.

Janet

I use a running stitch with a backstitch added after 5-6 stitches (a needle full).

I don't think you need to go back and redo anything.

Cheers, K

Wheeewww... thank you for your feedback... I really didn't want to redo those blocks :D

This is the way I was taught also.

I just use a running stitch. I am starting to use a small backstitch at the start & end of the seam because I'm trying to get better crisper turn line (for a 7-sisters quilt)

I go between a stab stitch and the running stitch w/ a backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam. I use the stab on curved pieces because the running stitch is hard for me to do on a curve.

I use a running stitch and back stitch after every inch. :-D

I like a back stitch to reinforce over seams!