Backstitching?
 

Do you do this when you piece?

If so, when/where?

I do not - because I have not been able to do "neat" backstitching - the fabric rumples or I wander off the previous line of stitching. It also adds thickness - and I've read a gazillion posts about using thinner thread to reduce bulk in the seam line.

I do use a shorter stitch length when strip or paper piecing.

I also will edge stitch a pieced border to keep it from coming apart - which I learned to do after I had a pieced border that came apart.

I have learned so many things by having to do re-dos!

I usually do not backstitch. That seam usually gets sewn over when adding another piece. Just mostly use a shorter stitch length.

I only back stitch at the beginning and end of a row that will not have another seam added to it or the border.

The only time I backstitch is when doing set in seams (aka Y seam) and when mitering my corners in the binding (the starting stitches, the ending stitches I turn the quilt 45 degrees and stitch into the raw edge corner of the quilt). These types of seams are never stitched over by other seam lines so a few back stitches are necessary in order to lock the stitching in place.

this is the same with me

My machine does a backstitch for me if I remember to engage it. It does save a lot of aggrivation later on to backstitch the seam.

I rarely backstitch. However if I'm doing something with a lot of small pieces on an end that I'm not going to add a border (like a bargello) I'll stay stitch right at the edge to keep any of those seams from opening up during the quilting process. These would be edges that were cut from sewing strips, so there is no thread tail at all.

No way. I tend to spend half my time seam ripping and taking out backstitching might send me over the edge! Ha!

I do backstitch the binding before I turn the corner and switch sides though. It's the only time I ever use it.

I can press a button on the machine for a lock-stitch.

I stay stitch all borders on each side and then attach to the quilt. The quilt edges are stay-stitched.

I rarely back stitch. When I do it is because I though I might have missed the first few stitches. My Juki machine does not like backstitching that well. I think it is an anomaly with my machine. The machine ties off well at the end of a piece or end of a row however.

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

It is not necessary when you have another seam crossing over it.

I don't backstitch. I learned many years ago to reduce my stitch length (0.5) or so when starting and ending certain seams.

[QUOTE=Rhonda K;8297736]I can press a button on the machine for a lock-stitch.

I have heard of a machine that back-stitches for five stitches. That is ridiculous. That would probably no longer be on the seam line and would add way too much bulk.

This is also what I do. Like Rhoda K. if I remember my machine will do it. I do like using the thread cutter & then I don't have to remember.:D

I backstitch, mostly from habit. Momma taught me to sew when I was around 10 or so and she emphasized how important it was. And sine I sewed clothes, toys, pillowcases, you name it, long before I started quilting, it's now a habit, so I do it. Also the time or two I decided to skip it, I regretted it. To each their own.

I'm the same as Maryb119 & AnnT - I just do it automatically - I only do 2 possibly 3 stitches. I have used leader enders when the fabric is fine or thin to prevent the beginning edge of the seam from getting swallowed into the needleplate hole. It adds weight to the beginnig so that the bobbin thread doesn't pull the fabric down. Never thought of using it to stop backstitching errors- will have to try it.