'To back stitch or not to back stitch ??'

[Handstitched]

I've had my beaut Q Stitch Colt machine ( very similar to artisan toro) for quite a while now , however I am still very much a learner on it.

I'm never too sure on every job I do to either A) after holding the 2 threads at the beginning , do a few 'back stitches' first to lock the stitch in and then go forward.

Or B ) hold the 2 threads firmly and just go forward, if so, how do the threads 'lock in' at the start ??

and the same at the end , 'to back stitch or not to back stitch' ??

I do currently 'backstitch' , but is it necessary??

Thanks in advance for your help.

[neelsaddlery]

I think it is very important to backstitch. It sounds like either of the two methods you are using will work just fine. The backstitch locks in the first few threads so they do not come loose. Yes, because the machine is a lockstitch machine the threads are locked in there pretty well to begin with, but the backstitch insures that these thread will NEVER come out.

[Go2Tex]

It's an interesting question in light of the other thread about the appearance of the back of the stitched piece. If you notice on the DVD that Artisan put out, they show 3 stitches forward then back 3 and then another forward to lock the end of the stitches and the same with the start. That seems like tremendous over kill to me. What I have tried is to start in reverse and make a couple back stitches and then just go forward. It makes the backside look a bit better and is certainly going to be hard to rip out.

[neelsaddlery]

It's an interesting question in light of the other thread about the appearance of the back of the stitched piece. If you notice on the DVD that Artisan put out, they show 3 stitches forward then back 3 and then another forward to lock the end of the stitches and the same with the start. That seems like tremendous over kill to me. What I have tried is to start in reverse and make a couple back stitches and then just go forward. It makes the backside look a bit better and is certainly going to be hard to rip out.

That is exactly what i do as well.

[Kustom]

It's an interesting question in light of the other thread about the appearance of the back of the stitched piece. If you notice on the DVD that Artisan put out, they show 3 stitches forward then back 3 and then another forward to lock the end of the stitches and the same with the start. That seems like tremendous over kill to me. What I have tried is to start in reverse and make a couple back stitches and then just go forward. It makes the backside look a bit better and is certainly going to be hard to rip out.

Brent,

What do you do at the end?

Steve

[LarryDonaldson]

I'm just a beginner and doing holsters but I back stitch 2-3 stitches on both ends.

[Kustom]

I'm just a beginner and doing holsters but I back stitch 2-3 stitches on both ends.

Larry,

Do you go into the hole of the first stitch then go back or do you go up to the first stitch but not into it and back?

[Go2Tex]

Brent,

What do you do at the end?

Steve

I usually back stitch 2 or 3. Now that I think about it, that's probably overkill also. It really depends on how much pull it might get, like at a buckle or dee.

[Handstitched]

Thank you everyone for your replies.

I think back stitching is the way to go.

One other thing that I do after I've snipped the thread from the machine, is that I leave approx 6" of excess thread on the job hanging off, I'll give both threads (with both hands) a firm 'tug' and then snip off the excess, That may be an overkill, but it's mainly for my own peace of mind.

Once again, thanks, happy sewing.

HS

[HCM]

Larry,

Do you go into the hole of the first stitch then go back or do you go up to the first stitch but not into it and back?

Are you talking about something like a holster where you're stitches share the same begin and end point? If so, I don't do any backtacks on something like that. All I do is overlap some stitches on the end into the same holes where I started. For heavy leather, I just overlap about 4 stitches, for lighter work, about 6 stitches. On stitches that don't share the same begin and end point, I just start my tack going backward between 3-5 stitches (depending on the type of leather and how strong I need the stitch to be) and proceed stitching forward. I end it the same way, by just a few stitches backward. I always assumed this was the normal operating procedure, but I've never asked anyone else how they do it.

One more thing... If I need the tack to be strong and it's more function than decorative, I like to do my tack stitches a little smaller than the stitch I'm using. I will push my reverse lever about 3/4 as far as it will go and that way I can fit a few more tack stitches in the same length than if I did full length stitches. I only do that when it's crucial for a strong tack, I usually like the tacks to be in the same holes because it looks a lot nicer.

Does that sound like what y'all do?

[Handstitched]

I'm just about to stitch some simple plain tool/ accssesory cases .

I'll start by doing a few 'back stitches' first and then go forward. At the end, I'll go back a few stitches to finish off, I'll snip the thread from the machine, I'll leave approx 6" of thread hanging off the job, and, with both hands , I'll give the 2 threads a firm tug ( for my own peace of mind), and then snip off the excess.

I've been doing the same on belts ,knife sheaths etc.

[Saddlebag]

Since I work with heavier leather I prefer to not back stitch in case it's crooked. On skirting leather I'll start an inch inside and sew toward the edge. With the needle in the leather I'll lift the presser foot and turn my work. That way my starting stitches are always nice and straight. I finish the same way - stitch almost to the edge, turn my work and stitch the way I came.