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Backstitching Hiccups
Trisam   Intermediate WV Member since 8/28/09 Posts: 16	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/24/13 3:53 PM Hi Everyone, When I backstitch after starting to sew on my machine, the fabric often gets either stuck in the plate or bunched up. I have heard to use Heat Away Stabilizer to help with this. Is this a film type material or cloth type material? I only see brush on and film for sale. How would I use it exactly? I also read that I could use another piece of fabric. Any other tips? I have been stopping the backstitch before it gets all the way to end but don't like doing that. Thank you!
stirwatersblue Intermediate KS USA Member since 12/13/08 Posts: 2468	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/24/13 4:09 PM You don't need to B/S all the way to the end. Most of the time, that end is in the seam allowance, anyway. My machine has a fussy backstitch; I finally learned to start about 3/8" forward in the seam, and backstitch FIRST, almost to the edge, and then continue forward with the seam. This is kind of backward, and it took a bit to get used to, but it's second nature now. ------ ~Gem in the prairie
Trisam   Intermediate WV Member since 8/28/09 Posts: 16	Login to reply to this post In reply to stirwatersblue << Like this post Date: 1/24/13 4:20 PM Oh Thank you! I will try that technique! Thanks!
tourist   Intermediate BC CANADA Member since 7/23/07 Posts: 5412	Login to reply to this post In reply to Trisam << 2 members like this. Date: 1/25/13 9:49 AM Trisam - I have read experts saying that we back stitch too much and too often. It makes unnecessary bulk in the seam allowance. Any time you will have another seam crossing a seam line, you really don't need to back stitch unless you are going to be trying a garment on many times for fitting or otherwise messing about with it. Some other things to try: - remember to hold the thread tails until you are finished the back stitching process. Some machines just require this, the finicky devils. - do all or part of your thread/seam locking in by dropping the stitch length down to teeny tiny for a few stitches. Bear in mind that it will be seriously difficult to pick out, so not to use if you will be making more alterations or are just basting. - a variation on the advice you just got - start right on the seam line and stitch outwards toward the edge of the fabric for a couple of stitches. Then leave the needle down, lift the presser foot and turn the fabric around so you are going the right way. Sew the seam as usual. Friends with older machines with no back stitch use this method. - don't back stitch so much. I remember being taught 2 stitches was enough but our teacher did 3 "just in case." Being young teens at the time, we went with the "more is better" philosophy and wet with 5 or 6 or more which is totally unnecessary. Have fun! ------ http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.

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