tngal22

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.

bearisgray

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

tngal22

Good to know when I forget to backstitch. Thanks.

Lori S

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.

tngal22

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.

Jennie and Me

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.

tngal22

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.

bearisgray

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

feline fanatic

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.

nhweaver

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.