I back stitch at the beginning and he end of a seam. I also back stitch at the beginning and the end of a seam if I am paper piecing. That way when I tear off the paper. the seam doesn't come out.

About the only time I backstitch in quilting is when I'm doing miters, whether borders or bindings. I just did a bunch of attic window blocks, backstitched those miters too.

I don't backstitch when piecing. Just recently, like in the last month or so, started using a scrap for a leader and stitch onto that then onto my piecing. Has stopped those seams from coming "unstitched" on the ends! Amazing I know, who knew? Only been quilting for about 12 years and never figured out what those "leaders" did for stitching. lol

My machine does a tiny backstitch or secure stitch if I use the automatic thread cutter, otherwise I only back stitch when assembling rows and borders.

I usually just make shorter stitches at the beginning and end of rows. Like berisgray, I sometimes wander off the original stitch line when backstitching and adding additional lines of stitching will make the seam thicker.

About 90% of the time I will backstitch. Too many times I've gone to put all the pieces to a quilt together only to have the start of a seam open up the tiniest bit. I'm afraid it will be the start of the whole quilt falling apart once it's finished. To me, better safe than sorry.

I don't backstitch much either, but to avoid bulk, backstitch one thread line into the seam allowance, not over the previous stitching. It holds the thread, doesn't add bulk to the stitch line and is easier to remove.

Having sewn for years before quilting, I always backstitch..........just habit. I use Aurifil and stitch at 2.0 and hardly ever chain piece either. Guess I'm not in that much of a hurry LOL

That is what I usually get in trying to go directly over the first stitches. :) Glad it has some benefit.

I will try the idea of starting and ending with smaller stitches, just not on the Juki. Too much of the dial.

thanks,
charlotte

I agree with this too. I usually never backstitch