Newbie question - handpiecing
 

Hello,

I have googled my brains out, and searched everywhere, but I have a fundamental question. I do handpiecing only. I never piece by machine (in fact mine is broken atm), so this might be why I can't find a suitable answer, but how do you cut through already-pieced blocks without the seams unraveling? Because I am cutting through the middle of the seam, and because it is not tightly machine-sewn, the pieces start to come apart. Does anyone have experience with this or tips for how I can cut through my pieced sections and keep them intact? I like to improvise and cut strips into thinner strips, so there's not much pre-planning going on...

TIA!!!

First off, I do minimal hand work so there are probably ways to do things I can't imagine. Hopefully someone has a better answer than mine.

The idea of cutting sewn strips is part of modern techniques since the rotary cutter and rulers, and does not translate well to hand sewing. There are many things in hand sewing that do not translate well to machines as well.

Most of how I work is with strips and cutting subunits, I use a small stitch even by sewing machine standards. Not quite sure what it comes down to in real life, but my Bernina turns on and defaults at 2.5, I typically prefer to stitch with a size 10 needle and my stitch down to 1.9.

If you are making a bunch of short seams, like 4-patches by hand, you can use a long thread and knot off each piece, leave some thread space and knot on the next piece. When you are ready, you cut the space. That can help keep sets of things together too.

If I am understanding your question correctly - you sew pieces together - and then decide to "subcut" - ??

You could sew your seams with a backstich -

google: back stitching in hand sewing -

That is a seam that is very durable - and quite a challenge to remove! - but it would survive - up to a point - your units being cut apart without falling apart as easily as when one uses a running stitch.

Backstitching seems like your best bet. You could also put a dot of glue to hold the seam after you cut.

Thanks... I had not thought about the technique being incompatible with hand piecing. But it does make sense that this is not something people did before machines and rotary cutters, etc. Hm. I really hate listening to sewing machines, and bending over them, and just about all the frustrations I've had with them, but I may be looking at needing a machine to do what I want...

Aha! backstitching! I don't know why that didn't occur to me! That might be the answer! Such a simple solution to something that's been vexing me for a little while now. Thank you!

I never cut through seams when I hand pieced. But it might just be me being paranoid about things coming apart later.

I don't have any advice re your original question, but re: listening to them - how about listening to music on earphones while you sew? re: bending over them - how about an adjustable chair with your machine at an ergonomic height that is proper for you? re: other frustrations - too vague to help you with, but this group is great at helping you solve problems. Some machines can be more troublesome than others. I have a Brother 1500, it's a basic machine, straight-stitch only, not computerized, but definitely a workhorse. I've used it as my "daily driver" for about 10 years now and have never needed to take it in for repair. Little bit of love comprised of oil, vacuuming out threads and dust, and some appreciative words, and she just purrs along. I bought mine used for $400, you can buy them new for about $700.

I agree with the backstitching when hand piecing. I don't do much of it any more but when I do any hand sewing I always use a back stitch. Good luck.

You could also reverse engineer your process. Make planned cuts first and then stitch.

Like others have mentioned, most of the time you sew and subcut is because you'd be dealing with small pieces to start with and that is difficult doing on a machine, but it's not difficult doing by hand. I'd be another that would consider reverse engineering and sub cutting before sewing.

When I'm machine sewing blocks with small pieces, I usually cut them larger and sew, and then trim down. There is no way I'd try to sew a 1/2" finished HST on machine if I cut them at the correct measure to start with. But if I was hand sewing, I most certainly would cut them the correct size to begin with and not plan on trimming down after sewing.

I handpiece all of the time and you have to plan ahead a little. What I do is mark my 1/4" seam with a fine mechanical pencil. Then I make a tiny mark at each corner 1/4" in from the edge. Then when I hand piece I insert my knotted thread a 1/16" of an inch or so before the 1/4" from the edge mark. Then I stitch backwards to the edge, and backstitch back to the mark. Then I stitch the seam and backstitch at the 1/4" mark on the other end, stitch to the end, backstitch, and finish a little over the mark. It's hard to explain, but I never have a problem with cutting my stitches and having the pieces compromised. I always trim to square.

I find that marking your seam allowances is very important. I haven't had a problem using a light pencil mark. I also square as I piece so I rarely have issues with unmatched points.