It occurred to me while sewing my WIP quilt, that I had not posted a lesson about Chain-Stitching.... so today I took the time to do that.
What's chain-stitching you may ask?
When you are sewing a lot of blocks, the easiest way is to chain-stitch them. Instead of sewing one block at a time and cutting the thread after each seam, chain-stitching allows you to sew multiple blocks in a continuous chain without stopping.
In the photo, you can see a trail of blocks behind the foot. These are all linked together and remain so as I start on the next block. Once finished, I simply snip all the blocks apart. This process is a great way to speed up your quilting. It does pay to be organized before starting as you don't want to sew the wrong seam!
Here's another photo of some smaller blocks being chain-stitched that I'd stitched a while ago.
This technique is often used when sewing blocks, strips, or units together, especially during large projects. It is great for speeding up the piecing process while keeping everything neat and tidy!
Here are some of the benefits of Chain-Stitching:
- Saves Time: You reduce the number of times you stop and start sewing, making the process faster.
- Saves Thread: Each time you stop and start, several inches of thread (both in the bobbin and on top) are wasted. With seams butted together, there are fewer thread breaks meaning less thread wasted.
- Keeps Pieces Organized: Since you sew continuously, the pieces stay in order, which is especially helpful when assembling rows or intricate patterns. Of course, you have to be organized first before you start.
- Creates Consistent Seams: Have you ever noticed when you near the end of a seam that often you veer off to one side? Chain-stitching helps prevent this making it easier to maintain an even seam allowance.
Have you tried this? Perhaps you have found another benefit. Please share it below!
