I do the exact same thing as you with the back stitching, backstitch 1/4 inch from the ends so the backstitch won't be cut off when trimming the block and won't be caught in the seam creating bulk. You're about the only other person I know that does this! If I know when a seam will be an open seam I will also backstitch along the seam in other areas just in case, after much use, that piecing thread snaps. I will also definitely backstitch more often for baby quilts or other quilted things that will see a lot of use and washing to help keep it together longer. One of my biggest quilting pet peeves is when I'm putting quilt blocks together and find piecing seams coming apart so I have to stop what I'm doing to sew them back together again! GRRR! I use both to the side and open seams, depending upon the block. A simple block with minimal seams - to the side only. A block with a lot of seams - both to the side and open where necessary to reduce bulk in certain areas...and I will trim some seam areas to reduce bulk even more. My concern with open seams is always the weight of the quilt and how dense the quilting stitches are in the areas of open seams. After all the only thing keeping an open seam together is one layer of thread used for piecing and one thread in that area used for quilting. All it would take is that one piecing thread to snap and you have a problem in that area.
Open seams make stitch-in-the-ditch quilting almost impossible. Also, if seams are open, the only thing covering the batting (wadding) in the seam area is thread. I love the flatness of open seams, but for security and strength, pressed to one side is the better method.
Actually, when we learned to stitch in the ditch with garment sewing, you are taught to actually pull the seams a tiny bit to create the ditch as you stitch your facings down - and when you let go, the seams close back up - thus "in the ditch". When you press to one side, you don't actually have a ditch to stitch into. I tend to stitch beside the ditch, anyway - when straight line quilting, as it is more forgiving - at least for my skill level.
I have naturally started doing a combination of pressing open and to the side based on what seems to work best for the individual blocks. This often means the final construction seams of the block are pressed open to handle the bulk. I also generally like to piece the quilt top in sections rather than rows or columns-just personal preference. That means either a lot more attention to pressing direction, or pressing open, so I usually press open. I do a stay stitch around the border of my quilts, especially if there are no unpieced borders, before sending to long arm. This ensures all seams are crossed, so more secure. I use a 2.0 or shorter stitch length, which also helps ensure seams don’t start to open when pressed open. I should probably do it before putting a top away for eventual quilting myself as well! I know lots of people want to set “rules” , but Philippe has the right of it. When you have enough experience, you will know that these techniques all have their place, and you have to consider the circumstances of the specific situation and make your decision. But you won’t gain that experience until you experiment. Test blocks are definitely worth the time and effort even though it can be tempting to jump right in! Thank you for addressing this oddly controversial quilting issue. :)
Hi Susan, this is the Bird by Bird quilt which Philippa made in 2014 for her book Appliqué Mastery. The book did come with this pattern however the book has been out of print for some years now and it is not going to be reprinted
Regardless of how you press your seams, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, backstitch when you start and stop your seam. It will save you time and headache as you handle your quilt top. I’ve had to learn the hard way. Never again!
I do the exact same thing as you with the back stitching, backstitch 1/4 inch from the ends so the backstitch won't be cut off when trimming the block and won't be caught in the seam creating bulk. You're about the only other person I know that does this!
If I know when a seam will be an open seam I will also backstitch along the seam in other areas just in case, after much use, that piecing thread snaps. I will also definitely backstitch more often for baby quilts or other quilted things that will see a lot of use and washing to help keep it together longer.
One of my biggest quilting pet peeves is when I'm putting quilt blocks together and find piecing seams coming apart so I have to stop what I'm doing to sew them back together again! GRRR!
I use both to the side and open seams, depending upon the block. A simple block with minimal seams - to the side only. A block with a lot of seams - both to the side and open where necessary to reduce bulk in certain areas...and I will trim some seam areas to reduce bulk even more.
My concern with open seams is always the weight of the quilt and how dense the quilting stitches are in the areas of open seams. After all the only thing keeping an open seam together is one layer of thread used for piecing and one thread in that area used for quilting. All it would take is that one piecing thread to snap and you have a problem in that area.
Open seams make stitch-in-the-ditch quilting almost impossible. Also, if seams are open, the only thing covering the batting (wadding) in the seam area is thread. I love the flatness of open seams, but for security and strength, pressed to one side is the better method.
Everyone has their own preference, so thank you for your feedback.
Actually, when we learned to stitch in the ditch with garment sewing, you are taught to actually pull the seams a tiny bit to create the ditch as you stitch your facings down - and when you let go, the seams close back up - thus "in the ditch". When you press to one side, you don't actually have a ditch to stitch into. I tend to stitch beside the ditch, anyway - when straight line quilting, as it is more forgiving - at least for my skill level.
I have naturally started doing a combination of pressing open and to the side based on what seems to work best for the individual blocks. This often means the final construction seams of the block are pressed open to handle the bulk. I also generally like to piece the quilt top in sections rather than rows or columns-just personal preference. That means either a lot more attention to pressing direction, or pressing open, so I usually press open. I do a stay stitch around the border of my quilts, especially if there are no unpieced borders, before sending to long arm. This ensures all seams are crossed, so more secure. I use a 2.0 or shorter stitch length, which also helps ensure seams don’t start to open when pressed open. I should probably do it before putting a top away for eventual quilting myself as well! I know lots of people want to set “rules” , but Philippe has the right of it. When you have enough experience, you will know that these techniques all have their place, and you have to consider the circumstances of the specific situation and make your decision. But you won’t gain that experience until you experiment. Test blocks are definitely worth the time and effort even though it can be tempting to jump right in! Thank you for addressing this oddly controversial quilting issue. :)
Always great information
So nice of you
I press open. I use 2.0 mm or shorter stitch length. I don't back stitch but my edges stay together.
Fab - thank you for the feedback.
when you are sewing jelly roll strips together and sub cutting there is no way to reinforce the beginning and end of the seam though.
What size stitch length do you use when piecing?
I will find out for you!
Thank you
What is the name of the quilt in the background please?
I have asked for you, Susan
Hi Susan, this is the Bird by Bird quilt which Philippa made in 2014 for her book Appliqué Mastery. The book did come with this pattern however the book has been out of print for some years now and it is not going to be reprinted
Regardless of how you press your seams, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, backstitch when you start and stop your seam. It will save you time and headache as you handle your quilt top. I’ve had to learn the hard way. Never again!