The Sewing Place

Stitch Size

Lowena

Stitch Size
« on: February 21, 2019, 11:19:25 AM »
What length stitch do you use for piecing? My machine's default is 2.5 but I find that possibly a bit small
I wouldn't mind knowing which width you use either ;)
Triumph of hope over experience :D

toileandtrouble

Re: Stitch Size
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2019, 12:09:57 PM »
I have only just started because I'm making the murder mystery quilt,  I'm using 2 -2.5 so that the seams don't open too easily.  1/4" seams because I have the foot of that width and it is marked at the end too,so I can turn at the right place. So far it is working!  The instructions for the applique say use stitch length of 1.5 to 2.5 stitches per inch, which I'm pretty sure is not what she meant.
Yarn down:  1000g
Fabric down:  29m

Pearl

Re: Stitch Size
« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2019, 12:11:23 PM »
2.2 is the default  on my machine so I use that for all but fpp.  Stitch width is 3.5 if I'm using my 1/4" foot and 5 if not.  (5 gives me a scant 1/4" seam.) 

Having the memory of a gnat, I had to get up and switch my machine on twice while posting this. :[

Efemera

Re: Stitch Size
« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2019, 12:41:41 PM »
2.5 for piecing 3 for quilting.

Ploshkin

Re: Stitch Size
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2019, 13:25:59 PM »
I wouldn't go bigger than 2.5 for piecing, in fact if the seams were short I would probably go down to 2mm.  If you go bigger, having only 1/4" seams you would potentially only get one stitch in the seam allowance which could lead to holes appearing where seams intersect.
Life's too short for ironing.

Lowena

Re: Stitch Size
« Reply #5 on: February 21, 2019, 14:01:21 PM »
Thank you all
Triumph of hope over experience :D

Iminei

Re: Stitch Size
« Reply #6 on: February 21, 2019, 16:28:36 PM »
The Splurge and The Splurgesses default stitch size for P&Q is 1.8 (whatever that means)

Im happy with that as I know the seams wont start coming undone during construction or on being cut.
The Imperfect Perfectionist sews again

maliw

Re: Stitch Size
« Reply #7 on: February 21, 2019, 16:48:59 PM »
I use 1.8 for piecing then as Iminei says it doesn't come undone.
At leisure on the leisure penninsula

Lowena

Re: Stitch Size
« Reply #8 on: February 21, 2019, 16:50:00 PM »
Ah, that explains things...... I've been using 3.5  :| I get puckering if I go below 3 :(
Triumph of hope over experience :D

Ploshkin

Re: Stitch Size
« Reply #9 on: February 21, 2019, 19:19:56 PM »
The number is the stitch length in millimetres.  In mixed metaphors 2.5 is 10 stitches to an inch.
Life's too short for ironing.

toileandtrouble

Re: Stitch Size
« Reply #10 on: February 21, 2019, 21:39:15 PM »
I know, I think 1 stitch per inch would not hold it very tight.  Not even 2!
Yarn down:  1000g
Fabric down:  29m

BrendaP

Re: Stitch Size
« Reply #11 on: February 21, 2019, 22:20:45 PM »
2.5mm or 10 sts per inch is about right for medium weight fabric, which is what craft weight P&Q cotton is.

When it comes to FMQ though it varies between about 0.5mm-5mm.  :ninja:
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.