I am new at Quilting...I have made a baby quilt and its ready to quilt. The top is light blue and assorted colors. Its made of squares with every other one white.. The back is dark blue. I tried stitch ni the ditch with white thread on top and blue on the bobbin. The blue shows thro mixed with the white on top. Should I use clear thread or is there somthing I am missing here? Also when you stitch in the ditch, do you press open the seams or press them to one side? I have my seams going to one side. Thanks for any help. Mary

you'll probably have to pick one color or the other, rarely can you mix 2 contrasting colors and not have one show up in the stitch, it should look fine on the back to have white lines, it still should be neat and remember... it's the back, your clothes don't look as nice on the inside as the outside. don't stress over the little things, enjoy the process

Your tension is off and that is why it is showing the dark thread on the top .

As for what way to press the seams it all depends on the pattern, colors , etc. It use to be to press to one side but since so much is now machine pieced and the stitches are tighter, you don't have to worry as much about the stress on the stitches. but with white you might want to press to the other side so the colors don't show thru.

I find that when I use one color on top and one on the bottom that the little dot of color that shows through on the back disappears inside the quilt after washing it. You can always try it on a sample to see if it works for you. I have done this several times and never had a problem.

Thanks so much for your advice.

I love varigated thread, I use it in the bobbin too. one in blues and whites blends in all over the quilt :D:D:D

I stitch in the ditch with the matching color on top, and an "invisible" thread in my bobbin. It looks nice on both sides and I don't have a "show through problem.

Do not use invisible thread on a baby quilt!!

either variegated thread would do or just use the white in both top and bobbin. the back should look fine.

Try loosening your top tension a little (a half number). I always use a practice piece of fabric & batting to try out my stitches before going to my quilt.
Stitch in the ditch isn't as easy as some would have you believe. Don't worry that some of your stitches are not exactly in the ditch and show through. It happens to everybody, and the recipient of your quilt will never notice it.
Pressing the seams to the side rather than open will give you a stronger seam in the long run. Don't obsess over this either. The more quilts you make, you will develop a style that suits you. And remember, there is more than one way to do everything.
Enjoy the process!