KenmoreGal2

I used 3" x WOF pieces. I strip pieced them in groups of 5 then cut them into 6" blocks which I sewed together into rows.

As I prepare to add borders, I see many of the ends have come unstitched. I haven't done much strip piecing. I wonder if this happened because of all the different times I manipulated the blocks? Is there something I could do differently next time? It's a bit of a pain to resew the last block in each row.

katier825

It happens. Try making your stitches smaller.

KenmoreGal2

Ah yes, good advice. I have my stitches pretty big so ripping out is easier. I do a fair amount of ripping out....

Onebyone

I always do a back stitch at the start and end of a seam.

gramajo

I was having that problem also. On last quit, I backstitched at start and end of each seam.

PaperPrincess

If you do strip piecing which will involve re cutting the sewn strips, you need to use a shorter stitch.

KenmoreGal2

Yes, that is good advice but with the strip piecing, I make one long seam and then cut it into smaller bits. Do you mean you go back and backstitch each smaller block that you make from the strips?

I guess I'll have to do smaller stitches and hope I don't make as many mistakes! (aka - not need the seam ripper so much)

ManiacQuilter2

What is your stitch length? On my Bernina, I leave it at the auto setting of 2.25.

KenmoreGal2

I'm using my avatar. My options are "F" to "O". Whatever that means! I admit I've had it at almost the largest stitch, probably a basting stitch. Because it's so easy to rip out.

cjsews

Yep your stitch length it so long. The shorter makes them harder to pull apart. When you get the top together if no border is added you can run a stitch around the perimeter close to the edge.