newbie question: stitch length
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 5,572
My machine defaults to a 2. something. It seems to be just peachy for normal piecing. If I am paper piecing I drop it down to a 2.0 or less. If machine quilting (rarely) and/or attaching binding, I will up it to 2.6 or better. Generally speaking - more layers - longer stitch length. Paper piecing, you can stay with the default but it makes it more difficult to rip out the paper and, during that process, has a tendency to loosen the stitches, hence the shorter stitch length for that technique.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Southern Illinois
Posts: 303
I use a 2.5 for piecing and a 3 for quilting. My machine defaults at 2.5 and I haven't had any trouble with my patches coming loose.
I'm pretty much a newbie too. You will find lots of help on this site.
I'm pretty much a newbie too. You will find lots of help on this site.
#13
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Northwest Georgia
Posts: 3,273
My machine defaults to 2.5, but I lower it to 2.0 for regular piecing, and 1.8 or 1.6 for paper piecing (which I can do, but don't really enjoy).
For basting, or for stitching "test" items, I bump it all the way up to 5, which is the maximum. Makes it easy to rip out afterwards.
For basting, or for stitching "test" items, I bump it all the way up to 5, which is the maximum. Makes it easy to rip out afterwards.
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Posts: 2,229
The same for me, I found my piecing looked better and was more secure when I switched from 2.5 to 2.0. Something I heard from a couple of very experienced quilters on the Quilt Show website.
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,325
Isn't that strange? My Babylocks default is 2.5 They must change the default in the same brands or newer machines, I think. Interesting topic.
#17
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,426
I use 3 when piecing. I always backstitch at the beginning and end of a stitch. I've never had a problem with the stitches being loose. I think it depends on how balanced your stitches are and the perfect tension to get balanced stitches. Not many know what a balanced stitch looks like. Machines are set to sew poly thread with poly bobbins. That is the auto/normal tension the machine is set for, even the bobbin tension. You have to change tension with every type of thread.
#19
I have older machines that don't default to anything - they are where I put them. No decimal points either, just a dial or lever with numbers on it. For piecing the dial or lever is somewhere between 2 and 3 but closer to 2. For machine quilting where I'm using a walking foot I like the dial to be somewhere around 3. Is there anyone else out there that uses older machines that don't have all the automatic gizmos?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Beautiful_Sound
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
6
12-01-2015 11:07 AM
Tallbald
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
5
01-28-2012 03:11 AM