Nah, I think that the crossing of the stitiching when putting the blocks together is enough.

I like to backstitch. I have had them come apart while trying to put the blocks together.

My answer is NO

I don't back stitch but I do sew on and off a scrap to lock the stitches better, before I started doing this I did back stitch. I have seen to many stitches unravel when not properely secured.

I agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

only when I am hand piecing!

I also backstitch for just about everything, probably more out of habit than anything else. I can't wait to see your Bears quilt....I am dying of curiousity!

I do not backstitch if it will be stitched to another piece. If I feel I need to, I just program my stitch way down at the beginning....this gives a really secure stitch that will not come out. At the end I manually take the stitch down to small stitches as well...haven't figures out a way to program this small stitch on a button.....we sure are getting lazy with all these computerized machines, arent we.....I keep telling my husband, my body and mind are slowing down so I need the latest in technology to work faster and memorize what I forget. Ha!
Diana in TX

I drop my stitch length to 1.5 mm for about 1/4 inch, then increase to standard length of 2.5 mm and decrease at the end of the row to 1.5 mm. I've seen too many rows of stitching pull out to not do this. I stopped backstitching because it can cause the fabric to bunch (not all the time, but sometimes).

SandyQuilter

I never back stitch only use it for garment construction. However I do use a much shorter stitch length 1.5 - 2.0 stitches so not come out unless you take them out.

I learned the hard way-Quilt seams not happy with No backstitch-now I automatic do it on all my projects and quilts-Safe to do, than be sorry-and with out it when seams did go together they stretched some and came apart.

Especially with polyester thread!

This is what my aunt told me to do also..it wasn't for quilting, but sewing other items. It does work..

Backstitching and stitch length
 

It is not necessary to backstitch at the beginning and ending of each seam. When you sew the next piece in place it automatically locks that seam in place. If you are using a smaller stitch length as you sew it also helps. From the right side of your pieced blocks when you pull on the block, if you can see your stitches between the sections your stitches are too long, so just shorten your stitch length and you will have a much stronger seam. I have quilts that are 20 plus years of age that I made and they have been washed and handled many, many times and I have never had a seam turn loose because I learned over 30 years ago that it is not necessary to backstitch. And leaving at least 1/4" of thread at the start and ending of each seam is very good.

Gitlisgal from Oregon

backstitching
 

No I don't backstitch. I hold a little tention on the fabric and it stitches in place about 3 times which hold just fine.
Syl

I am very careful to do this also. It keeps the blocks stitched without having to take the time to reverse the machine etc.

I didn't back stitch on the one I just made, & I did cut the tails, so yes I noticed that some of the seams were coming apart. I am hoping that quilting it will take care of it.

I don't back stitch, but am sure to use a smaller stitch in general, like a 2.0 instead of the 2.5 used in dressmaking.

I always backstitch when i can - esp when doing Y-seams. I don't like fixing things later.

I always backstitched when making my own clothes, but when I began quilting, I read that you were not supposed to, so I don't.....except at the end of long borders; then I do, thinking I want the extra assurance that it won't come loose when grabbing the edges to move or rearrange the quilt before it is backed and quilted. I assumed the instruction not to backstitch had something to do with bulk when matching seams....but maybe it just had to do with possible ripping out! ;-)

Me, too! I just posted a similar reply.

After 50+ years of sewing I do it automatically most of the time.

I agree with nhweaver; I drop my stitch length to 1.9 or 2.0 and that holds the seam together better than the default length of 2.5. Sometimes I use micro stitches at border ends to make sure nothing becomes unraveled while quilting.

I agree with you Jennie and Me. I have been sewing for 60 years and was taught to backstitch. Then in H.S. Home ec. backstitching was reinforced. It is hard for me not to backstitch. But all I do is blocks and try to only bs. on the outer seams now.

I also only backstictch on the outer edges of the quilt. I also like your idea of starting your needle in about 1/4, then backsticthing. I will have to try that on my next quilt. Thanks for the tip.

I love your rationale!

I always backstitch as I have put blocks together and notice some seam is coming apart. It is just easier for me to backstitch and be safe.

When I'm piecing I use a smaller stitch and don't bother to back stitch unless it is on the outside where it's going to get handled a lot before I get the border on, like in a Round Robin.....otherwise, I skip it

I staystitch a pieced outer border to minimize/prevent the seams from coming apart instead of backstitching each seam in the pieced part.

I always do when I'm handpiecing. I mean to when machine piecing but often forget.
It's definitely worth doing - I'm assembling a quilt now - blocks into rows and wish I'd remembered more often.

This has been a really interesting discussion. I had never really thought about it - I guess because when I first started quilting I was "told" not to. But now I can justify why I don't do it.

I do, especially on flannel, which I love to work with. I do the back stitch at the 1/4" area rather than right at the beginning of the seam. I just think that with the weight of the flannel, it is better to be safe.

I backstitch on everything!

Even with all the good points made, I still do it. I would rather be safe than sorry. Ya'll have given some great tips and advice though, so thank you!

That is what I do too...never backstitch while making blocks.

I usually backstitch, especially when doing foundation quilting because I know I will have to remove the paper from the back. It just takes a second and after all that work, I'd hate to have my stitches come undone.

I set my machine up so it does it automatically always then I don't have to fuss with it.

This is what I do, too. I do backstitch when I paper piece.

Oh true, I can look at that OhSo Fine and if I leave only 1/4" at each end of the piece it LAUGHS at me and proceeds to slip right out, no matter how small a needle I use. I have to sew very close machine stiches.

But I need a little 'give' in the pieces to help my block ease into the right shape, and if I stabilized the beginning and end of each piece, I think that would be difficult.