Stay Stitch Conversation
07-28-2020, 06:58 AM
#13
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: The Deep South near Cajun Country, USA
Posts: 5,385
I have had mine pucker, so I lengthened the stitch back to the 2.2 or 2.5. Too small of a stitch on a single layer of fabric will pucker on most sewing machines. It's okay when it hits a double or more layer but not on that single layer for me. I sew on two Brother machines, an inexpensive one from Wal Mart and an older embroidery one. Both of them do the puckering even though the embroidery/sewing is supposed to be able to sense the fabric thickness and adjust for it.
07-28-2020, 04:29 PM
#14
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Sunny Florida
Posts: 4,422
Originally Posted by LAF2019
What stitch length do you use to stay stitch? When stitching over just one layer of fabric (not the sandwich, as in stay stitching the quilt block or top), does the material pucker under your foot?
I stitch at 2.0 for stay-stitching. You will see a slight pucker. Press the strips after stitching and they lay flat.
For regular piecing i use 2.5 stitch length.
07-30-2020, 07:47 AM
#16
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Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,067
I just do it on the outer edge, especially if there are a lot of narrow seams. If I have to piece a long border, I'll typically reinforce just an inch or so either side of the seam, but I really prefer to use full length cuts when I can.
When I'm piecing, I'm putting the blocks together fast enough that the seams are interlocking and reinforcing each other, plus the size of the pieces are small so there isn't a lot of drag on them.
My concern is in folding/unfolding and spreading out the top for viewing or measuring or whatever until the top is quilted down, which in my case can be years before it happens. If I'm on a deadline and it's going directly from the machine to the long arm, I may or may not reinforce the edge. I still will if there are seams every 2" or less. I might with 6" seams, but I don't typically bother to do straight grain fabric.
When I'm piecing, I'm putting the blocks together fast enough that the seams are interlocking and reinforcing each other, plus the size of the pieces are small so there isn't a lot of drag on them.
My concern is in folding/unfolding and spreading out the top for viewing or measuring or whatever until the top is quilted down, which in my case can be years before it happens. If I'm on a deadline and it's going directly from the machine to the long arm, I may or may not reinforce the edge. I still will if there are seams every 2" or less. I might with 6" seams, but I don't typically bother to do straight grain fabric.
07-31-2020, 02:11 AM
#18
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Portland, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 413
I am interested in this topic and saw that it is a continuation. I can't find the first part, however. Would someone point me in the right direction, please? These types of posts are so helpful. Thank you.
07-31-2020, 03:23 AM
#19
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: western NY formerly MN, FL, NC, SC
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Originally Posted by Sailorwoman
I am interested in this topic and saw that it is a continuation. I can't find the first part, however. Would someone point me in the right direction, please? These types of posts are so helpful. Thank you.
