Originally Posted by
ckcowl
rule of thumb is---if your line of stitching will be crossed by another line of stitching- back/stay stitch is not necessary- if the line of stitching stands on it's own- not crossed (which secures it) then a staystitch should be done- either by backstitching or stitching almost in place for 3-5 stitches.
This is how I do it except I also backstitch when sewing rows together. The extra weight & tugging makes the thread start to pull apart and sometimes it pulls down past where the next seam will intersect. I will also backstitch when attaching borders for the same reason but single blocks don't seem to have the problem.