okiedee

This is probably a silly question, but being a novice, I would like to know..I have been tying mine at the end of each seam, sure slows my work down, but it does make it secure.

I am making my first pieced quilt...the Disappearing nice patch. I have three blocks done so far.... Hugs, Dee

nycquilter

are you sewing by hand? I don't. I sew by machine and often chain piece my work. Therefore, I don't tie each end. As they get sewn into the next part, the new stitches will serve to lock the earlier stitches. Did that make sense?

GGinMcKinney

Chain stitch by machine. When I do hand stitch I back stitch-no knots or tied threads.

okiedee

I am sewing on a machine....okay, when you chain stitch, do you pull out the machine threads to leave an inch or so of threads between the chains?

okiedee

Okay...thank you so much.

nycquilter

NO, not at all. you simply sew sew sew, leaving barely any thread. Then you cut them apart with virtually no other trimming needed. it's fast and thread-efficient. there is also a handy gadget that holds a seam ripper upright and you simply hold the chain, cutting between each with this gadget. I don't use it all the time, but when I do, i think--well worth the 8 bucks it cost! and, you're welcome. 8^))

quilterjody

when you put them together with other pieces you usually end up sewing across that seam so it locks it in. I will backstitch when adding boarders or if the piece is going to be on the outside so that nothing comes apart when I'm layering and quilting.

okiedee

What is the name of this gadget? Thanks for all the info.

Mamagus

I think it is important to note that the stitch length for quilt piecing is very small. That also helps with the pieces not coming apart. My Janome is set at 2.2 stitch length and unless there is a good reason to change it, that's where it stays!

ckcowl

if machine piecing you do not have to worry about it. if hand piecing, then yes...tie your knots