Sewing small stitches is one of my biggest pet hates.  Anyone who sews with tiny stitches in a garment has obviously never unpicked it.  I do understand when quilters use small stitching, but it is not necessary in garments.

By this I mean sewing small stitches that are 20 stitches per inch (2.5 cm) rather than the normal 8 stitches per inch which I prefer.   The problem with sewing 20 stitches per inch (2.5 cm) is that if you have to alter the garment, the time it takes to unpick has almost tripled.  There is absolutely NO REASON to sew with tiny stitches.

The only time this is recommended is in Couture sewing.  Instead of the standard backward and forward lock at the beginning and end of a seam, in Couture, they recommend changing the stitch to 20 stitches per inch (2.5 cm) at the beginning and end of the seam, however they do suggest this is only for the first half inch (1 cm) at the beginning and end of the seam; then go to 6 stitches per inch (2.5 cm).  Personally I prefer the 8 stitches per inch rather than 6, however find what you are comfortable with and work with that.

I do like the idea of small stitches at the beginning because it has many advantages.  When you are taking in the sides of a garment, and have only unpicked under the arm a small section, when you have taken it in and are putting the garment back together, you can place your needle over the top of the original stitch and sew for half an inch at small then change to normal stitches.  This eliminates a mistake being made by sewing off the stitch line when back tacking.

I worked with a Scottish lady once who stitched in the largest stitch on the machine for everything.  When it came to unpicking a problem she achieved it very quickly.  So sewing small stitches should be something that is in the past not in your future sewing.

Happy altering

Judith aka genie