Top Ten Handpiecing Tips

Sew from dot-to-dot for accuracy. Dots are reference match points at intersecting seams. The edges of your patches may not necessarily line up as in machine piecing.
It is important to pin at the match points which you have marked on the wrong side of each unit. You may cut multiple layers at one time as a time saving measure. Some variance in seam allowance from patch to patch won't effect the accuracy of piecing.
Begin and end each line of stitching with a back stitch. Back stitch on each side of an intersection.
Don't sew across seam allowances. Pass the needle through from one side to the other at the dot.
Sew the unit with the most seams up - facing you. Add individual new patches from underneath.
Sew with needle and thread pulled through the fabric towards you, even if you must take a larger than normal last stitch to come up through the dot, then a regular-sized back stitch and your ending knot.
Connect sewing lines whenever possible with a pivot point and continue sewing. There's no need to cut the thread as in machine piecing.
After the ending knot, make a new knot by wrapping the thread once around the needle about 1/2" away. Cut below the new knot and you're ready to sew another patch.
Match thread to the darker patch whenever possible. Keep several needles threaded with different colors to make changing thread easy. If you don't have any thread that blends with the dark patch, match the light one.
On long seams or bias, back stitch every 1 1/2" to 2". It helps control bias and if the thread should break at some point in time, the repair would be 2" or less.
Use the side of your template to draw a sewing line if needed. Lines only need to be drawn on the piece you're looking at, not on the back side. As units get larger, use a ruler to draw a singular, continuous, straight line being sure to intersect each dot or intersection by manipulating the fabric if necessary. Don't cut off the points!

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