At the risk of sounding incredibly stupid...

I have the most basic question about backstitching with your machine. At the beginning of a project do you start at the very beginning, then backstitch and then go forward again? I tend to have a jumble of threads underneath at the beginning of my stitching so I thought maybe I was doing something wrong. I am going to try to remember to hold onto my threads when beginning to see if that solves it.

And then at the end, same thing, do I stitch to the end and then just go in reverse and end or do I need to come back to the end again? And is there a certain number of stitches you should go in either direction before switching again. When I end sometimes I end up with 4 threads instead of 2 and it is such a waste of thread. What am I doing wromg?

thanks y'all
lynn
www.lwhelan.blogspot.com

P.S. didn't know whether to post here or in the sewing machine section, sorry!

♥♥♥part ttwo♥♥♥-
when topstitching along the edge of a rectangle, when you get to acorner and you need to go a little further, but not a whole stitch further, what do you do???
see what I mean, stupid questions!!! or maybe more like "duh" questions, wink.

I don't know if I do it the correct way but I just do 3 or 4 stitches back and then go forward (so just twice over the same spot not three times).

A for your jumble of threads...always make sure your needle is in the "up" position before you start and hold your threads.  Also at the end make sure it's up.  That should solve the extra threads problem

such simple things.

thank you

You know, I was just thinking about this with the last project I made!  I have a bad habit of back stitching at the beginning and end of every seam.  I realize after catching some videos here and there that it's not necessary.  You do not have to back stitch if you will be going over the seam later, i.e. sewing in a circle like a hem or when attaching another piece such as quilting.
It is necessary when you will not be sewing across the seam again.  Here's what I do:

• Make sure your needle is sharp.  A jumbled mess is easily made when the needle is dull and not piercing the fabric easily.
• I actually start with my needle down in the fabric, sew a few stitches (about 6), hit the reverse for about 3 stitches then continue with my seam.
• At the end, I sew to the end of the fabric, hit reverse for about 3 stitches then sew forward again to the end.

I need to break my back stitching habit because it does look like a mess at times and it really isn't necessary 75% of the time. 

Now for your corner question about when- "...you need to go a little further, but not a whole stitch further, what do you do???"
I know this is probably not the correct way, but I just pull my fabric a tad so that the needle goes where I want it to.  It's usually just a mm or two so maneuvering the fabric shouldn't be a problem.

You are not stupid.  What you describe is a VERY common situation for beginners.  Here's how to avoid the bunching.  When you start sewing, place your work under the presser foot and,  before you step on the motor pedal, lower the needle  into the seam.  Now you are ready to step on the pedal to sew the seam. Take a few stitches forward, then a few stitches back.  That should avoid that bunching you describe.

Another trick to help with backstitching is to change your stitch length to zero and take several stitches in the same spot at the beginning and end. For topstitching, I don't worry if I'm off by 1/2 a stitch or more as long as the lines are straight, no one else will look that closely.  If you are really picky about it though, stitch length can help you again. Change your length to a smaller stich for one stitch then switch back. I wouldn't bother though!

These aren't stupid questions. These are great ones that will help other beginners out!

Amy

I say great questions too. No question too small. I ask stuff all the time. Great advice on this subject here!

thank you all, i'll let you know how it goes!

I used to get a jumble of threads at the beginning too, until I noticed that some people hold on to the threads as they start a seam (I had a headsmack moment.)  Now I hold on to my top and bobbin threads when I first start a seam, and it has helped a lot.

I took a class from Susan Khalje  a few years ago. She taught us to NOT backstitch. Instead I reduce my stitch length way down to .5 or a tad less. You don't get the jumble of threads  and it also is less bulk at seam intersections. I haven't backstitched in years. Makes a big difference and my seams don't come undone.
And no question is stupid.
Martha
http://southernmatriarch.blogspot.com/

that's a great idea.
thank you!

I had that happen the other day and it turns out I forgot to change out my ball point needle after sewing some knitted fabric. Oops! 

Wow Great advice!!

Something I found out a while back that helps (because I had the same problem) is that you only to backstitch one stitch and this takes care of that nest. So go forward a couple of stitches, back one stitch and then sew!

I often hold onto the threads for the first couple stitches too.

Interesting idea with reducing stitch length at beginning & end. I'll have to try that.