Omy goodness… I thought I was crazy! I just finished a Pinwheel quilt and used the stitch in the ditch to quilt the finished piece as well as shadow quilting along the pieces but I was so frustrated with how hard it was for me to “stay in the ditch!” Lol…I just decided to plunge through and call it stitch on the ditch,stitch off the ditch, stitch in my neighbors ditch, get back in the ditch stitch…. Hahaha 😂 I am very new to quilting and I LOVE everything I am learning but not so sure I loved that ditch.
I have heard that story from so many beginners. They were told it was an easy beginner technique and then were frustrated when they found it challenging. Stitch in the ditch is fine to use, but it isn't the only option. I am so glad you are enjoying quilting.
After watching this video, I can't believe people are being rude. I never thought about some of the things she talked about. This is really a very good informational video. Grow up people.
I transitioned a few years ago from garments to quilts. I can SITD for waistbands but i had a heck of a time doing it for entire quilts. To get around that, i either do diagonal lines or like a quarter inch on both sides of every seam. For me, those option produce a better quilt.
I never mastered stitch in the ditch. But I do love doing echo ditch stitching....basically 1/8-1/4 inch from the seams. It works and looks great. I get more joy out of piecing a quilt top than the quilting bit. You are so right on the wavy lines too, did it on a baby quilt and it came out lovely. Kudos to all the lovely people who are creative with their quilting!
I almost always do this. I never saw the point of stitching through what is already a weak point! I just use the half-width of the sewing machine foot and have never had any trouble sewing straight.
Maybe it depends on the person. I love stitch in the ditch. I don’t find it difficult and haven’t from the days I was a beginner. I stitch on the low side of pressed to the side seams. Love the sort of zen feeling I get as I watch the needle just graze the high side and the stitches almost disappear in the ditch. I don’t use it by itself but as a first step to anchor things. The seams maintain a crisp look and are less subject to getting pushed by the visible quilting. Things are anchored meaning the visible quilting is easier to accomplish and in my case because I prefer pin basting I can get a lot of pins out reducing weight. I choose where to use it strategically for the look that the texture it adds, and to get the anchoring I want.
THANK YOU! Ive never thought stitch in the ditch was a good idea. I imagine that this method of quilting would almost "perforate" the seam, not adding strength. I would recommend quilting between the seam line and within the seam allowance, if you want to really stitch all three layers together. (I tend to press seams open, so this works well for me.)
I like stitching in the ditch. It isn’t boring, it’s strategic. To me, the beauty of a quilt is in the design and the fabric, and I think fancy quilting diminishes and distracts from that beauty. I’ve done it enough that I’m fairly good at it. I always press seems to the side, for the very reason you state.
Stitch in the ditch is good when you don't want the quilting to be very visible. The perfect quilt project is one where the design, fabric and quilting all work together. I agree that sometimes intricate quilting designs distract from the piecing design rather than working with it.
@@JoanneSvendsen-m2r when the seams are pressed open the stitching over the threads can result in a small open space. The person doing the longarm work may or may not repair the hole. I know one longarm quilter refuses to fix holes if the seams are open. Or any holes for that matter.
You summarized my most recent experience with quilting in the ditch. I thought, “ How hard can it be? “ I may try it again, but with a quilt top that is indeed totally square. Lesson learned.
Thank you for this informative tutorial. I do my quilt QAYG (Quilt As You Go) block by block. I had to enlarge my blocks & then added a layer of batting & new backing, so stitch in the ditch was to sew the top, batting & backing together at strategic points & not to design or quilt because the quilting on the blocks is already done. The only exception would be the enlarged border strips. And then, I will add sashing to quilt them altogether. This is the quilt of nightmares for an intermediate beginner, so thanks for the heads-up on SITD. PS. I think I'll do those wavy lines on the border strips. 😊
BLESS you for this video!! I tried to stitch in the ditch and I couldn't sew a straight line at all. So very frustrating! I changed my stitch to decorative and I was MUCH happier, and my quilt was very pretty! You have a new subscriber - Howdy from Texas! 🤠
Thank you for this. I've always paid somebody to quilt my tops in the past, but getting ready to do my first baby quilt. I was concerned about the piecing stitches. Never thought how challenging it might be who sometimes sews like a drunk driver speeding down the interstate at 100 mph. (I am challenged with foot pedal control. Smh)
A baby quilt is a good size to practice quilting on your own. Just remember that like any skill it takes practice and there are lots of different ways to do it. Find the style that works for you.
Yes, I remember when we all hand-quilted because using your machine to quilt was cheating 😄 Then back in the 90's when I had a little Kenmore that was probably 30 years old, I dropped the feed dogs, made some loop-de-loops, and I haven't looked back since. I still do all my own FMQ on a sit-down domestic with a nice big throat. Wavy lines are a good place to start. Practice!
As a professional quilter, I agree with you about all of your points. I do have one different perspective to offer though: rather than thinking of stitch in the ditch as a "problem" when it comes to ironed-open seams, I think of Ironed-open seams as the real problem for stitch in the ditch! One other positive consideration for SID, is the way it can help stabilize a quilt, preventing distortion caused by areas of differing quilting density. My 2 cents. Thank you for your video.
That is true. Stitch in the ditch can add stability to a quilt and that is one reason to do it. Also, instead of saying that stitch in the ditch is a problem for ironed-open seams, maybe I should have said they are incompatible. There is nothing wrong with each individually, but they don't work together.
So glad I saw this information. I have a old, old bears claw flimsey that I want to finish. I bought it on eBay, so know nothing about it. I thought stitch in the ditch would reinforce the seams, some of which are hand sewn. Now, I need a plan B! What to do?
If you think some of the seams need reinforcement, then stitching with a decorative stitch might be a good option. You are using the seams as a guide, but since your stitches are going back and forth across the seams, they don't have to be as exact. th-cam.com/video/IHs0kB0xPR0/w-d-xo.html
Great talk. I have never liked stitch in the ditch but can’t do free motion either! I think it is hard to get neat because your original piecing needs to be precise. If you are an exact, competent sewer then fine. But that’s not me! I just hold on to the mantra Finished is better than perfect 😉
I have stitched in the ditch several times and have not had a lot of trouble but would live to be able to do free motion quilting. I cannot seem to get into a rythm
Free motion quilting is a totally different skill. It takes lots of practice. If possible, take a local class where you can get hands-on help from a teacher.
Each of us have to look at the quilt at hand to decide what will look best. Some people can have further problems with stitch in the ditch as they move between spots that have a different amount of layers…the less expensive machines can miss a stitch at that bump…continually trying to stitch on the lower side results in a line that is not straight. So I agree that stitch in the ditch is easy for designing purposes but not for the sewing. 🦉
Hello from another Elisabeth! I never did understand the stitch in the ditch for the most basic reason that it damages the existing patchwork stitching.
Ruler quilting is one technique that I haven't tried. It is on my bucket list! That would really help to stitch in the ditch as long as your seams are straight.
I do agree with you, stitching in the ditch can be really frustrating if you are someone who is easily worried as i am when there is a paint which leans to one side even by a single millimeter. I will always see this thing until i fix it….. so…. Stitching in the ditch can be long, difficult, frustrating, literally a pain in the ass….
I did my first quilt stitch in the ditch. I am nervous about how to quilt future blankets. You recommended wavy lines with a walker foot for beginners. What kind of cheap sewing machine can I buy that will give me room for wavy lines? All the long arm machines I see are over $1,000. With my ordinary small sewing machine, it makes quilting extremely difficult with all the bulk. I can only do a straight line and wouldn't be able to even attempt free motion quilt with the limited room. Please recommend sewing machines with long arms for quilting. I would be happy if it didn't have a screen and all the electronics. Just something cheap and usable!
You don't need any more room for wavy lines than straight lines. It just means that you don't have to worry about keeping it perfectly straight. I don't have any exact recommendations for sewing machines. The best option is whatever is sold by the closest dealer. That is where you can get individual help and service. They can help you find the best choice for you. Also, keep your eye out online for used machines. Even if they need servicing, often you can find a good deal. Cheap machines at bargain stores are cheap for a reason. When they break, they are not worth fixing because the parts will cost more than the machine did.
I've heard reason nr 2 so many times and as a garment quilter and instructor FIRST I wanted to say - if professional seamstresses uses SITD to tack down facings on the shoulders and other places why does doing it on a quilt get such a bad rap? You said that there is nothing to secure the stitch, but you actually have the batting and backing that the stitch will go through - and if you gently pull the seam apart while you sew, it will close back up and no one will see it. That's pretty simple. That saying, it is much faster to Stitch beside the ditch and I like it better as it does give an extra design element to the quilt. I simply reject the "you are weaking the seams" as a reason one shouldn't SITD "IN" the ditch. When I first started quilting and heard this, my jaw hung open. (well, not quite literally.) LOL
Let me add one other situation where SID is beneficial. I do custom quilting not free motion quilting. Stitching in the ditch creates a framework for elements I wish to highlight to support the quilting design. But before that, it allows me to square up the blocks in each row to ensure the quilt is flat and square as I progress. It also keeps the density of quilting consistent as I progress through the project.
Yes, stitch in the ditch is great for foundation stitching to support other decorative stitching. But just like any other type of quilting, it takes practice.
I did a quilt with stitch in the ditch and was suprised how difficult it was. Never did it again. Was really disappointed in my skill level since it was supposed to be easy.
Me, too. Thx for being one of those who will say such things. I've always thought this, but have fallen for it. And not done well. Yes, good road for traveling. Wish I was better at all of it.
I don’t like stitch in the ditch, tried it a couple of times and could not get on with it. I don’t mind my stitching showing, sows I have not missed anywhere. Still new to it 18 month on. Still learning.
It’s next to impossible to get it right in the ditch the whole time, but if you don’t mind a few off stitches, it’s an easy guide for where to quilt. For quilts I want to highlight the piecing, I “stitch near the ditch”.
I feel that pressing open seams is not a good practice and definitely stitching over bare threads is taking a big chance. I press seams to one side, and SITD next to the ledge of the folded seam. I use a sit-down machine, but on my domestic, I would use a right or left compensating foot. A well-known national quilting, instructor recommends SITD in every seam prior to using an overall design, and this is a technique have done for over 15 years (technique called ESS’ing - stitch “every stinking seam”). It prevents the pattern from disappearing under the overall quilting. I don’t grieve over any seams that aren’t perfect because it never shows after washing anyway.
06:40, that kind of doesn't make sense to me. Yes, if you stitch in the ditch to "travel" to another section to continue your FMQ, then it won't show on the pieced side of the quilt. But you'll still have that line of "traveling" visible on the back side. I mean you can't hide what you're doing on the front and not have it appear on the back!
Well, any stitch in the ditch quilting would be visible on the back of the piece. It is much more difficult to hide it. To camouflage stitching on the back, you need a busy print with the right colour of thread. You can't hide stitches in seams.
Stitch on the ditch, as I understand it and have been taught, is not as you describe. It was explained to me that you stitch in the “ditch” that is formed when the seams are pressed to the side. There’s a tiny little valley or ditch and that is where you stitch. It’s a little more forgiving than stitching directly on the seam. Not totally forgiving, but more than on the seam. Have I been taught incorrectly or am I misunderstanding something?
Stitch in the ditch works well if you use a zipper foot, go slowly, and stitch in the low side of the seam. It is strictly utilitarian and not meant to be decorative. Especially strong for children’s play quilts, dog and cat beds, or any quilt that will receive a lot of “hard” wear.
I have learned that stitch in the ditch is NOT on the seam but a seam just slightly apart from the seam. Yes, it's boring, but sometimes you need it to "lock" the quilt blocks, so they don't get wonky when you free motion quilt them.
If your machine allows, drop the feed dogs, set the stitch length to zero, make a little quilt sandwich, and move it around under the needle. That's how I began 30 years ago on an old Kenmore.
I am not a fan of stitching in the ditch. I tried it but quickly felt like I was sewing the same seams again. No thank you. I quickly switched to a meander because I don’t have to worry about bout straight lines. They are a challenge for me😂😂😂 😂
Oh my gosh, I wish you had reframed your information. You make good points, and it would have been nice to hear something along the lines of "consider this and this when deciding on SITD". I think SITD is a good tool to have when considering how to quilt your project. But to say "never" is a bit extreme, especially when you also explain that there are uses.
In the ditch is difficult. Just like making smooth icing on a cake. It takes more time to get it perfectly smooth I do a lot of ditch stitching on my longarm The stitching is not on the seam exactly. My opinion is that it should be next to the seam not right on top of it as you describe Btw. I have been quilting for 45 years and have never done ditch stitching between the two fabrics. Example- if you nest your seems it's literally impossible to go between the two fabrics - duh!
Like a lot of techniques it takes practice and realistic expectations. It just bothers me that it is often recommended to beginners as an "easy" option.
I totally disagree that this technique is "horrible"and "boring." This is mostly what I have used all my quilting life, and I feel that your statement is unkind to those of us who just want to get our beautiful piecing and fabric sandwiched together and in a finished state to be used and enjoyed. I want my piecing and fabric to shine through, but not too FANCY NANCY that the recipient feels the quilt is to be saved and not used. I do agree that it is not a good technique for those who press seams open. I also know there are those of us who can't afford to have others quilt for us or desire to learn free motion quilting. But thank you - I do respect your opinion - I just don't agree with it.
I don't think this is a "horrible" technique. I think it is horrible to tell beginner quilters that it is easy to do it perfectly when many people find it difficult. It is setting them up to be frustrated and disappointed. It is boring in the sense that it is functional sewing that supports the piecing and fabric and doesn't draw attention to itself. That is why I used it on my quilt with hand embroidery. If you're trying to draw attention to another part of your quilt, then boring is what you want.
Stitching in the dithch just never made sense to me. If you sew something to keep it together, to sew on top of those threads always seemed to me to not be the right thing to do, as you have explained in this video, it would weaken the area where you just sewed two fabrics together. Just doesn't make sense.
Sorry but I totally disagree with you. I think stitch in the ditch is very easy, as is sewing straight. Maybe it's because I come from a garment sewing background?? And I press the seams to the side. I also really like the look. I'm not a fan of long arm quilting or dense free motion quilting. I much prefer to let the fabric and piecing shine and I don't want a secondary design.
FMQ can add a lot to a quilt that otherwise might be kind of boring to look at. Even diagonal straight lines going in both directions can add a lot of interest, without distracting from the piecing. FMQ is bringing it one step further. Get a hopping foot and start with loops. I gained confidence by drawing new designs repeatedly on brown grocery bags I taped to the wall, then practiced on Linus quilts.
Sorry. That is your opinion, and it is the only way I am comfortable quilting. I stink at free motion. Plus I want my quilts puffy and not felted down like an army blanket
Lots of people use stitch in the ditch for basting the layers together. It can help both hand quilting or free motion quilting. Then you can take it out if you want.
Stitching in the ditch with a presser foot that has a guide on it is the easiest thing in the world. Anybody can do it and do it very well, so I will have to disagree with you on that statement.
Stitch in the ditch works well if you use a zipper foot, go slowly, and stitch in the low side of the seam. It is strictly utilitarian and not meant to be decorative. Especially strong for children’s play quilts, dog and cat beds, or any quilt that will receive a lot of “hard” wear.
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Omy goodness… I thought I was crazy! I just finished a Pinwheel quilt and used the stitch in the ditch to quilt the finished piece as well as shadow quilting along the pieces but I was so frustrated with how hard it was for me to “stay in the ditch!” Lol…I just decided to plunge through and call it stitch on the ditch,stitch off the ditch, stitch in my neighbors ditch, get back in the ditch stitch…. Hahaha 😂 I am very new to quilting and I LOVE everything I am learning but not so sure I loved that ditch.
I have heard that story from so many beginners. They were told it was an easy beginner technique and then were frustrated when they found it challenging. Stitch in the ditch is fine to use, but it isn't the only option. I am so glad you are enjoying quilting.
I am stealing/ borrowing stitch in my neighbors ditch!!!😂😂😂😂
I call it stitch by the ditch 😊
After watching this video, I can't believe people are being rude. I never thought about some of the things she talked about. This is really a very good informational video. Grow up people.
I transitioned a few years ago from garments to quilts. I can SITD for waistbands but i had a heck of a time doing it for entire quilts. To get around that, i either do diagonal lines or like a quarter inch on both sides of every seam. For me, those option produce a better quilt.
I never mastered stitch in the ditch. But I do love doing echo ditch stitching....basically 1/8-1/4 inch from the seams. It works and looks great. I get more joy out of piecing a quilt top than the quilting bit. You are so right on the wavy lines too, did it on a baby quilt and it came out lovely. Kudos to all the lovely people who are creative with their quilting!
Thank you for sharing. I struggle sewing straight. I am 74 and started learning to quilt about a year ago. Still learning.
I'm 73. As long as you're having fun! We were all once beginners.
Depending on the pattern, I sometimes stitch a quarter inch away from both sides of the seam...it almost gives a "plaid" effect.
I have done that too. I call it "window pane" quilting.
I believe that was an original way to hand stitch quilting, at least that was the way I was taught 33 years ago.
I do that too, using the edge of the walking foot as the width, for more accuracy. ❤ 🇦🇺
I was thinking of trying my twin needle.
I almost always do this. I never saw the point of stitching through what is already a weak point! I just use the half-width of the sewing machine foot and have never had any trouble sewing straight.
Maybe it depends on the person. I love stitch in the ditch. I don’t find it difficult and haven’t from the days I was a beginner. I stitch on the low side of pressed to the side seams. Love the sort of zen feeling I get as I watch the needle just graze the high side and the stitches almost disappear in the ditch. I don’t use it by itself but as a first step to anchor things. The seams maintain a crisp look and are less subject to getting pushed by the visible quilting. Things are anchored meaning the visible quilting is easier to accomplish and in my case because I prefer pin basting I can get a lot of pins out reducing weight. I choose where to use it strategically for the look that the texture it adds, and to get the anchoring I want.
It is a good way to hold everything together and makes other quilting easier.
I can respect your opinion and disagree with it too. I employ several quilting designs and sometimes SITD is appropriate
THANK YOU! Ive never thought stitch in the ditch was a good idea. I imagine that this method of quilting would almost "perforate" the seam, not adding strength. I would recommend quilting between the seam line and within the seam allowance, if you want to really stitch all three layers together. (I tend to press seams open, so this works well for me.)
I like stitching in the ditch. It isn’t boring, it’s strategic. To me, the beauty of a quilt is in the design and the fabric, and I think fancy quilting diminishes and distracts from that beauty. I’ve done it enough that I’m fairly good at it. I always press seems to the side, for the very reason you state.
Stitch in the ditch is good when you don't want the quilting to be very visible. The perfect quilt project is one where the design, fabric and quilting all work together. I agree that sometimes intricate quilting designs distract from the piecing design rather than working with it.
I agree. I made a quilt and had it professionally quilted. The quilting was beautiful but the quilting became the focus rather than the fabric.
@@JoanneSvendsen-m2r when the seams are pressed open the stitching over the threads can result in a small open space. The person doing the longarm work may or may not repair the hole. I know one longarm quilter refuses to fix holes if the seams are open. Or any holes for that matter.
You summarized my most recent experience with quilting in the ditch. I thought, “ How hard can it be? “ I may try it again, but with a quilt top that is indeed totally square. Lesson learned.
Thank you for this informative tutorial.
I do my quilt QAYG (Quilt As You Go) block by block.
I had to enlarge my blocks & then added a layer of batting & new backing, so stitch in the ditch was to sew the top, batting & backing together at strategic points & not to design or quilt because the quilting on the blocks is already done.
The only exception would be the enlarged border strips.
And then, I will add sashing to quilt them altogether.
This is the quilt of nightmares for an intermediate beginner, so thanks for the heads-up on SITD.
PS. I think I'll do those wavy lines on the border strips. 😊
BLESS you for this video!! I tried to stitch in the ditch and I couldn't sew a straight line at all. So very frustrating! I changed my stitch to decorative and I was MUCH happier, and my quilt was very pretty! You have a new subscriber - Howdy from Texas! 🤠
Thank you for this. I've always paid somebody to quilt my tops in the past, but getting ready to do my first baby quilt. I was concerned about the piecing stitches. Never thought how challenging it might be who sometimes sews like a drunk driver speeding down the interstate at 100 mph. (I am challenged with foot pedal control. Smh)
A baby quilt is a good size to practice quilting on your own. Just remember that like any skill it takes practice and there are lots of different ways to do it.
Find the style that works for you.
Echo quilting a half inch away from the seam is much easier and looks nice.
That is also nice. It's also more forgiving than trying to stitch right on the line.
Yes, I remember when we all hand-quilted because using your machine to quilt was cheating 😄 Then back in the 90's when I had a little Kenmore that was probably 30 years old, I dropped the feed dogs, made some loop-de-loops, and I haven't looked back since. I still do all my own FMQ on a sit-down domestic with a nice big throat. Wavy lines are a good place to start. Practice!
As a professional quilter, I agree with you about all of your points. I do have one different perspective to offer though: rather than thinking of stitch in the ditch as a "problem" when it comes to ironed-open seams, I think of Ironed-open seams as the real problem for stitch in the ditch!
One other positive consideration for SID, is the way it can help stabilize a quilt, preventing distortion caused by areas of differing quilting density. My 2 cents. Thank you for your video.
That is true. Stitch in the ditch can add stability to a quilt and that is one reason to do it.
Also, instead of saying that stitch in the ditch is a problem for ironed-open seams, maybe I should have said they are incompatible. There is nothing wrong with each individually, but they don't work together.
Such a beautiful quilt, and the embroidery really adds to the design.
Thank you.
I love the quilt with the embroidery! ( I would've been tempted to hand quilt around, shadowing, the embroidery)
Great video, thank you!
Another reason to use stitch in the ditch is for broken grid patterns. This was the answer for me. My quilt also had embellishments.
So glad I saw this information. I have a old, old bears claw flimsey that I want to finish. I bought it on eBay, so know nothing about it. I thought stitch in the ditch would reinforce the seams, some of which are hand sewn. Now, I need a plan B! What to do?
If you think some of the seams need reinforcement, then stitching with a decorative stitch might be a good option. You are using the seams as a guide, but since your stitches are going back and forth across the seams, they don't have to be as exact.
th-cam.com/video/IHs0kB0xPR0/w-d-xo.html
Great talk. I have never liked stitch in the ditch but can’t do free motion either! I think it is hard to get neat because your original piecing needs to be precise. If you are an exact, competent sewer then fine. But that’s not me! I just hold on to the mantra Finished is better than perfect 😉
Yes! Letting go of perfectionism is helpful in all aspects of quilting.
Hello from Texas first time to see your channel. Very informative. Thank you.
I have stitched in the ditch several times and have not had a lot of trouble but would live to be able to do free motion quilting. I cannot seem to get into a rythm
Free motion quilting is a totally different skill. It takes lots of practice. If possible, take a local class where you can get hands-on help from a teacher.
I’d like to do free motion stitching but worry about the start of keeping the thread secure and the ending.
Thanks for this! ❤❤❤❤
Makes so much sense! Thnx 😊
You're so welcome!
I have did that stitch many many times without any difficulty but I do agree it can be difficult at times. I like that stich better than most.
Like any technique, it takes practice. It's not easy, especially for a beginner.
Each of us have to look at the quilt at hand to decide what will look best. Some people can have further problems with stitch in the ditch as they move between spots that have a different amount of layers…the less expensive machines can miss a stitch at that bump…continually trying to stitch on the lower side results in a line that is not straight. So I agree that stitch in the ditch is easy for designing purposes but not for the sewing. 🦉
Great advice....thanks!
Hello from another Elisabeth! I never did understand the stitch in the ditch for the most basic reason that it damages the existing patchwork stitching.
Get a ruler foot, and use a ruler to ditch. Many quilters 'ditch' first to keep the quilt square and then add the custom quilting.
Ruler quilting is one technique that I haven't tried. It is on my bucket list!
That would really help to stitch in the ditch as long as your seams are straight.
I love quilting with stitch in a ditch. I also sew clothes and use the same stitch. So easy.
People that come to quilting from dressmaking have an advantage. Stitch in the ditch can be a nice option, but it doesn't have to be the only choice.
Totally agree
I do agree with you, stitching in the ditch can be really frustrating if you are someone who is easily worried as i am when there is a paint which leans to one side even by a single millimeter. I will always see this thing until i fix it….. so…. Stitching in the ditch can be long, difficult, frustrating, literally a pain in the ass….
I did my first quilt stitch in the ditch. I am nervous about how to quilt future blankets. You recommended wavy lines with a walker foot for beginners. What kind of cheap sewing machine can I buy that will give me room for wavy lines? All the long arm machines I see are over $1,000. With my ordinary small sewing machine, it makes quilting extremely difficult with all the bulk. I can only do a straight line and wouldn't be able to even attempt free motion quilt with the limited room.
Please recommend sewing machines with long arms for quilting.
I would be happy if it didn't have a screen and all the electronics. Just something cheap and usable!
You don't need any more room for wavy lines than straight lines. It just means that you don't have to worry about keeping it perfectly straight.
I don't have any exact recommendations for sewing machines. The best option is whatever is sold by the closest dealer. That is where you can get individual help and service. They can help you find the best choice for you.
Also, keep your eye out online for used machines. Even if they need servicing, often you can find a good deal. Cheap machines at bargain stores are cheap for a reason. When they break, they are not worth fixing because the parts will cost more than the machine did.
I've heard reason nr 2 so many times and as a garment quilter and instructor FIRST I wanted to say - if professional seamstresses uses SITD to tack down facings on the shoulders and other places why does doing it on a quilt get such a bad rap? You said that there is nothing to secure the stitch, but you actually have the batting and backing that the stitch will go through - and if you gently pull the seam apart while you sew, it will close back up and no one will see it. That's pretty simple. That saying, it is much faster to Stitch beside the ditch and I like it better as it does give an extra design element to the quilt.
I simply reject the "you are weaking the seams" as a reason one shouldn't SITD "IN" the ditch. When I first started quilting and heard this, my jaw hung open. (well, not quite literally.) LOL
Let me add one other situation where SID is beneficial. I do custom quilting not free motion quilting. Stitching in the ditch creates a framework for elements I wish to highlight to support the quilting design. But before that, it allows me to square up the blocks in each row to ensure the quilt is flat and square as I progress. It also keeps the density of quilting consistent as I progress through the project.
Yes, stitch in the ditch is great for foundation stitching to support other decorative stitching. But just like any other type of quilting, it takes practice.
Good reasons!
I did a quilt with stitch in the ditch and was suprised how difficult it was. Never did it again. Was really disappointed in my skill level since it was supposed to be easy.
I don't know why people say it is easy. It seems like it should be, but it isn't.
If you use a zipper foot and go slowly it’s not hard.
I stitch along the ditch about 1/8" from the ditch. I've had stitches broken. ALmost as bad as put a block in wrong.
I’ve never done stitch in the ditch, I personally just like to see the stitches!
It is nice that we can all choose what we like to do. Every quilt is different and every quilter is different.
Totally agree that SITD is not easy!
I agree 100%
Me, too. Thx for being one of those who will say such things. I've always thought this, but have fallen for it. And not done well.
Yes, good road for traveling. Wish I was better at all of it.
I don’t like stitch in the ditch, tried it a couple of times and could not get on with it. I don’t mind my stitching showing, sows I have not missed anywhere. Still new to it 18 month on. Still learning.
The nice thing of quilting is that we can choose what works for us.
Hand-quilting is my favorite part of creating a quilt!
Hand quilting is beautiful! Do you stitch in the ditch or use other designs?
It’s next to impossible to get it right in the ditch the whole time, but if you don’t mind a few off stitches, it’s an easy guide for where to quilt. For quilts I want to highlight the piecing, I “stitch near the ditch”.
It is an easy reference point to follow. I just think quilters have to be realistic about how perfect it can be.
I feel that pressing open seams is not a good practice and definitely stitching over bare threads is taking a big chance. I press seams to one side, and SITD next to the ledge of the folded seam. I use a sit-down machine, but on my domestic, I would use a right or left compensating foot. A well-known national quilting, instructor recommends SITD in every seam prior to using an overall design, and this is a technique have done for over 15 years (technique called ESS’ing - stitch “every stinking seam”). It prevents the pattern from disappearing under the overall quilting. I don’t grieve over any seams that aren’t perfect because it never shows after washing anyway.
Stitching in the ditch is all good and well until you get a quilt with seams pressed open.
I just tie my quilts. Thread is so expensive. On a very tight budget. Crochet thread from the dollar shop is way cheaper.
That's also a great option!
I started by tying. But you can use polyester to quilt with...don't listen to the quilt police - poly thread isn't nearly as expensive as cotton
06:40, that kind of doesn't make sense to me. Yes, if you stitch in the ditch to "travel" to another section to continue your FMQ, then it won't show on the pieced side of the quilt. But you'll still have that line of "traveling" visible on the back side. I mean you can't hide what you're doing on the front and not have it appear on the back!
Well, any stitch in the ditch quilting would be visible on the back of the piece. It is much more difficult to hide it.
To camouflage stitching on the back, you need a busy print with the right colour of thread. You can't hide stitches in seams.
Stitch on the ditch, as I understand it and have been taught, is not as you describe. It was explained to me that you stitch in the “ditch” that is formed when the seams are pressed to the side. There’s a tiny little valley or ditch and that is where you stitch. It’s a little more forgiving than stitching directly on the seam. Not totally forgiving, but more than on the seam. Have I been taught incorrectly or am I misunderstanding something?
Stitch in the ditch works well if you use a zipper foot, go slowly, and stitch in the low side of the seam. It is strictly utilitarian and not meant to be decorative. Especially strong for children’s play quilts, dog and cat beds, or any quilt that will receive a lot of “hard” wear.
I haven't tried a zipper foot before, but i will have to try it! That makes so much sense.
I have learned that stitch in the ditch is NOT on the seam but a seam just slightly apart from the seam. Yes, it's boring, but sometimes you need it to "lock" the quilt blocks, so they don't get wonky when you free motion quilt them.
What if you do not have a walking foot?
You can still do machine quilting without a walking foot, but it just helps keep the layers together more easily.
If your machine allows, drop the feed dogs, set the stitch length to zero, make a little quilt sandwich, and move it around under the needle. That's how I began 30 years ago on an old Kenmore.
I don’t do stitch in the ditch for the very reasons you gave. Also when you have an intricate block you can’t do stitch in the ditch.
It can get very difficult just to move the quilt in the machine!
I am not a fan of stitching in the ditch. I tried it but quickly felt like I was sewing the same seams again. No thank you. I quickly switched to a meander because I don’t have to worry about bout straight lines. They are a challenge for me😂😂😂 😂
Oh my gosh, I wish you had reframed your information. You make good points, and it would have been nice to hear something along the lines of "consider this and this when deciding on SITD". I think SITD is a good tool to have when considering how to quilt your project. But to say "never" is a bit extreme, especially when you also explain that there are uses.
In the ditch is difficult. Just like making smooth icing on a cake. It takes more time to get it perfectly smooth
I do a lot of ditch stitching on my longarm The stitching is not on the seam exactly. My opinion is that it should be next to the seam not right on top of it as you describe
Btw. I have been quilting for 45 years and have never done ditch stitching between the two fabrics. Example- if you nest your seems it's literally impossible to go between the two fabrics - duh!
Like a lot of techniques it takes practice and realistic expectations. It just bothers me that it is often recommended to beginners as an "easy" option.
A bit rude
I just stitch near the ditch!
me too!
Oh no, someone has an opinion that is different than mine, must attack lol.
🤣
I've heard that it's easier if you use your zipper foot.
Who else clicked on the video despite not quilting because they wanted to know what "stitch in the ditch" means?
I totally disagree that this technique is "horrible"and "boring." This is mostly what I have used all my quilting life, and I feel that your statement is unkind to those of us who just want to get our beautiful piecing and fabric sandwiched together and in a finished state to be used and enjoyed. I want my piecing and fabric to shine through, but not too FANCY NANCY that the recipient feels the quilt is to be saved and not used. I do agree that it is not a good technique for those who press seams open. I also know there are those of us who can't afford to have others quilt for us or desire to learn free motion quilting. But thank you - I do respect your opinion - I just don't agree with it.
I don't think this is a "horrible" technique. I think it is horrible to tell beginner quilters that it is easy to do it perfectly when many people find it difficult. It is setting them up to be frustrated and disappointed.
It is boring in the sense that it is functional sewing that supports the piecing and fabric and doesn't draw attention to itself. That is why I used it on my quilt with hand embroidery. If you're trying to draw attention to another part of your quilt, then boring is what you want.
@@EpidaStudio Thanks for the clarification.
Stitching in the dithch just never made sense to me. If you sew something to keep it together, to sew on top of those threads always seemed to me to not be the right thing to do, as you have explained in this video, it would weaken the area where you just sewed two fabrics together. Just doesn't make sense.
Sorry but I totally disagree with you. I think stitch in the ditch is very easy, as is sewing straight. Maybe it's because I come from a garment sewing background?? And I press the seams to the side. I also really like the look. I'm not a fan of long arm quilting or dense free motion quilting. I much prefer to let the fabric and piecing shine and I don't want a secondary design.
FMQ can add a lot to a quilt that otherwise might be kind of boring to look at. Even diagonal straight lines going in both directions can add a lot of interest, without distracting from the piecing. FMQ is bringing it one step further. Get a hopping foot and start with loops. I gained confidence by drawing new designs repeatedly on brown grocery bags I taped to the wall, then practiced on Linus quilts.
Sorry. That is your opinion, and it is the only way I am comfortable quilting. I stink at free motion. Plus I want my quilts puffy and not felted down like an army blanket
Another youtuber Amy Dement stitches in the ditch to tack it down and then uses embroidery floss running stitches in the blocks
Lots of people use stitch in the ditch for basting the layers together. It can help both hand quilting or free motion quilting. Then you can take it out if you want.
Stitching in the ditch with a presser foot that has a guide on it is the easiest thing in the world. Anybody can do it and do it very well, so I will have to disagree with you on that statement.
Not quite like your attitude. So goodbye!
Stitch in the ditch works well if you use a zipper foot, go slowly, and stitch in the low side of the seam. It is strictly utilitarian and not meant to be decorative. Especially strong for children’s play quilts, dog and cat beds, or any quilt that will receive a lot of “hard” wear.