Backstitching on blocks
 

Do you backstitch at the beginning and end when you are pieces your blocks together?

I do but when I watch tutorials, it seems alot don't, or just skip that step when showing you how to do it.

Just wondering as I am working on my Berenstain Bears quilt, nope not telling what pattern I picked out. You will just have to wait and see.

I do not backstitch - BUT I do leave about 1/4 of an inch of stitching/thread at each end of the seam.

Good to know when I forget to backstitch. Thanks.

I do backstitch on most all my blocks. Some will tell you its not neccessary. I like too and never have seams come apart in the wash.
If I was making a wall hanging or other decorative rarely washed , I would skip it.

Most of what I make will be used daily or washed alot. I just like to make sure they are secure I guess. Just wondering if I was being overly cautious.

I used to do the backstitch thing all of the time, now I just do it sometimes. A few years ago my backstitch button wore out...when I took it in to be repaired they looked at me like I'd grown another head. The shop owner said, "I never backstitch!" And everyone else agreed with her. Made me feel like I was doing something wrong. I still think that it needs to be done. Probably a rule from Home Ec. that stuck in my brain those oh so many years ago...well, at least something stuck in my brain.

Never backstitch? I think that is crazy. At least backstitch on the outer sides of a quilt and binding. I just do it on everything I do.

I did learn that if I cut the thread right next to the fabric - that the stitching could pull out easily - that's why I sort of do a 'running' start with several stitches made before the needle hits the fabric and several stitches made after the needle is off the fabric

There is no need to backstitch when piecing your blocks because the stitching will be anchored when another piece is stitched to it. If we had to backstitch for all piecing that would be the death of strip style peicing and you couldn't possibly do a Bargello style quilt, no assembly line piecing ala Bonnie Hunter. I only backstitch when the final outside border goes on at the edge and when I attach my binding and am doing mitered corners.

I did back stitch most of the time when doing blocks, now I make my stitching smaller and do not do it as frequently. I drop my stitch down to 1.9 on my Janome 10000. I sometimes use the Janome stop feature, but get impatient with the six times the needle goes up and down.

I do on the edges, and when I sew garments and bags.

I never backstitch. If the pieces that are being stitched together will be stitched to another piece/block, that stitching will hold the seam. I secure my stitches for binding, quilting, etc with 4 or 5 stitches with the machine set at .2, the smallest stitch my machine will allow. The instructorof a FMQing class I took told us to do that. I've never had any of it come out. Not only that, I think it's easier than backstitching. And anything to make my life easier ;)

i always backstitch. i wannna make sure my seams have the hardest time of their life trying to come apart.:)

It's hard to break the backstitch habit. Even when I'm chain piecing I can't resist taking one little backstitch at the second to last stitch at the end of each patch seam. At the beginning of small pieces, it's harder to backstitch, so I hold my finger on the patch in front of the presser foot forcing my machine to take a couple of small stitches. My quilts get washed several times a month, so I want the seams to stay put.

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.

With my new machine it is easier. I used stitch #3 which automatically does the first backstitch then I just hit one button at the end and it does the end backstitch. Love that option!

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.

Nope, I don't backstitch.

Yup, this is true. And backstitching just adds bulk from more thread in the seams. I've pieced and quilted for 18 years and have never had seams come undone.

If you are going to join the blocks they do not need to be back stitched. I usually don't backstitch

I don't backstitch except at the end of rows. I do shorten my stitch though, it seems to make the seam stronger. It sure saves a lot of time not to backstitch. I have never had a seam come apart, and I've been quilting a long time.
Sue

I don't back stitch but I do leave a small amount of thread at the beginning and ending of my seam and my quilts never come apart. What happens when you strip piece squares for 4 patch and 9 patches? Those seams aren't back stitched....

How can you RIP IT OUT if you anchored it in place? I have enough of a time picking out stitches at Janome 1.8 machine setting with that Oh So Cursed Fine thread LOL

That's clever - sometimes even with leaders and with the small hole throuat plate I find a tiny bit can get sucked in

no but i keep my stitch length smaller when piecing too much work to backstitch

Good point!

Backstitch. Home ec indeed burned it into my brain. I know it's not necessary, but I haven't bothered to un-learn the habit!

Yes backing is for garment making. If one uses the smaller or my machine is 2.0 there is a much less chance of it coming apart.

I never backstitch, waste of time and thread for me. There's not a single seam in any quilt that is not crossed by another one at some point, so why bother. When sewing on the binding, I overlap the start and finish to anchor each.

I see everyone's point about not backstitching but my brain keeps saying "YOU MUST BACKSTITCH!" lol. I wonder if I could win the battle against my brain on this one? Only time will tell. lol Now to try to finish up some stitching on my blocks. Almost ready to start the layout of them!

No back stitching here. I try to leave about a 1/4 of thread hanging. I hate those tiny knobs the backstitching makes. Have never had any problem with edges of seams opening.

We just started collecting vintage machines and I love sewing with them. But most don't even have a backstitch option. I just use smaller stitch length and start out on a scrap of fabric before proceeding with chain piecing.

I don't backstitch but I often sew the seam twice. I dunno... it just makes me feel more secure because I, too, want to make sure my seams have work to come apart... LOL!

I usually don't backstitch but I have been known to pull the bobbin thread up to the where the top thread is and then knot the top and bottom thread. (Long time ago Home Ec.I think) BrendaK

I ditto feline fanatic. The next row anchors the previous stitching. I only backstitch the last row.

We were taught that backstitching puckers the fabric and that it is not necessary since the seams are strengthened when you do the cross seams. I've never checked the puckiring bit - just listened to the teacher. I also tend to leave a quarter inch of threads but that depends on the type of thread I use for piecing.

I never backstitch when constructing quilts. But I do when constructing garments and home dec projects.
Backstitching makes it harder to rip out mistakes, and also adds bulk to seams.

I have just begun a new technique as I finished a quilt because in holding squares to be sewn the ends would tend to separate....Following a suggesting on the board, I am lowering the stitch length at the beginning and at the end of the row. It just takes training to remember to switch but I do like the results. Technique:start at 1.8 and go up to 2.0 til the line reaches the end 1/2" and change to 1.8.

I was taught to never backstitch in my first quilting class. When I read quilting books, they tell you to not backstitch. I did some backstitch for the first time on my blocks this past week when I was putting together a King size quilt. I think the heaviness of the quilt was actually pulling some of my stitches loose. First time that has ever happened since I started quilting. I can't imagine backstitching when doing all of the strip piecing I do. Would take forever. You do what you want to do, there is no quilt police coming to your house !