SPI conversion help please

[Caroline T.]

Well I finally took the plunge and have started on my first quilt kit - Flannel Log Cabin. While reading the pattern instructions, it has occurred to me the designer has assumed all quilters have more modern sewing machines, and the one thing I can't find is that she recommends using a stitch length of 1.5

Can anyone convert that for me into # of stitches per inch?

[jjkaiser]

Re: SPI conversion help please

Stitches Per Inch Metric Equivalent (mm) Metric Stitch Length (rounded)
15 1.6933333 1.7
12 2.1166666 2.1
10 2.54 2.5
9 2.8222222 2.8
8 3.175 3.2
7 3.6285714 3.6
6 4.2333333 4.2
You can Google "stitches per inch conversion" like I did. I have an older model also, and idk if you were trying to convert from metric to inches or something else. So the chart I posted may or may not be of any help. Hulamoon probably has the answer for you!

[Caroline T.]

Re: SPI conversion help please

Thanks JJ but I can't imagine that's she's using metric, as her cutting instructions are in standard measurrment ( inches) and 15 stitches per inch (spi) would be a pretty tiny stitch.

[Hulamoon]

Re: SPI conversion help please

In this conversation one person said close to 17

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/stitches-per-inch-t232784.html

I have no clue myself.

[Caroline T.]

Re: SPI conversion help please

I'm beginning to think there's a typo in her instructions then.

Maybe I should be asking, what stitch length would others recommend for flannel?

[Spiff]

Re: SPI conversion help please

On my machine a stitch length of 1.5 would be a really small stitch. My machine (a Bernina) defaults to 2.5 but I tend to set it at 2.0 when doing piecing. I have sewn flannel before and set it at 2.0

[Bubby]

Re: SPI conversion help please

Your stitch should be short enough that your seams hold together well without puckering and long enough that your seams don't pull apart easily. I use my judgment whenever I sew. I have an electronic machine that I use most of the time and I use 2.2 but when I use my Featherweight I experiment on a piece of scrap fabric until I like the stitch length.

[DeniseSm]

Re: SPI conversion help please

In this article on tips for working with flannel it says you should increase your stitch length to 2.5 or 3 (10–12 stitches per inch)

http://www.fonsandporter.com/wp-content/uploads/Tips_Flannel_TV2107.pdf