Originally Posted by vivientan
Originally Posted by vivientan
I've hand quilted a few quilts and never tried machine quilting, which is why I hope to get my hand in machine quilting by starting it small. I actually intend to outline some quilt block patterns using SID. When machine quilting using the backstitch method when locking stitches, is it advisable to start right at the top? If my block patterns are smack in the middle of my quilt, can I still use the backstitch method? The backstitches might be quite visible, which could look unsightly.
Does anyone have any advice to my question on backstitching? Not sure if this is a good method if my quilt block pattern is smack in the middle of the quilt.
I would avoid backstitching. It really does show and often leads to some birds nests on the back. Starting with really tiny stitiches and slowly increasing your stiltch length is good. Another option is to leave fairly long thread tails then get yourself some self threading needles like spiral eye and bury those ends with a knot.