Chain Piecing: A Simple Sewing Trick to Keep Things Moving
Often times adding in a small sewing technique can make a project go faster and more smoothly. Chain piecing is one of those techniques.
While it's commonly associated with quilting, chain piecing can be useful for all kinds of sewing projects, especially when you're assembling several small components that require the same type of seam.
What Is Chain Piecing?
Chain piecing is sewing multiple sets of fabric pieces one after another without taking the extra time between each set to raise your foot, remove the sewn piece, and cut the thread.
Instead of sewing one set, cutting your thread, starting again with the next set, and repeating, you keep sewing and feed the next set of pieces under the presser foot.
As you work, the sewn pieces form a little chain behind your sewing machine.
That's it! There's no special equipment or complicated technique involved. You're simply eliminating all those little stops to cut your thread and start again.
Why Use Chain Piecing?
When you have several similar pieces to sew, those little stops can add up. Chain piecing helps you keep a steady rhythm while reducing the amount of stopping, starting, and thread cutting.
It also means fewer thread tails to trim when you're finished. This saves you time and saves thread from the trash.
This is especially handy for projects with multiple small or matching components. Think pockets, tabs, straps, pouch pieces, or any other group of pieces that require the same seam.
And while quilters may use chain piecing to work through a large number of quilt blocks, you don't have to be a quilter to take advantage of it.
How It Works
Start by sewing your first set of fabric pieces together according to your project instructions.
When you reach the end of the seam, don't cut the thread. Instead, position your next set of fabric pieces at the front of your sewing foot and continue sewing. The machine will feed the piece in right behind the first one and you can keep moving through your prepared sets.
Continue this process until you've sewn all of your sets of fabric pieces.
Once you're finished, simply snip the threads between each set to separate your pieces.
Now what could have been a tedious and daunting part of a project is handled quickly and efficiently!
