Machine Quilting Question
 

As an alternative to stitch-in-the-ditch, I am stitching 1/4" away from each 8" block seam going both directions on my granddaughter's quilt. It looks ok. My question is: do you ALWAYS stitch on BOTH sides of each seam? If you do both sides, it is twice the quilting, time and thread. Just looking for opinions. Thx!

you do not HAVE to stitch on both sides- that is a personal decision- some people do- some people only stitch on one side (either the outside- or the inside) consistantly. other's stitch right on the seam- the quilting can be done any way you want it- and the distance/density of quilting is dependant on the batting- some batts require quilting every 2" others allow up to 10" between quilting lines- you need to follow the recommendations to the point of quilting at least as close as it says is required. more is ok- less can cause your batting to separate & ball up in your quilt with use & laundering-
so see what the package says you need to do and the decide how you want to quilt with in those perameters.

Thank you. I'm using Warm & Natural, so fine there. Just wondering what others prefer for appearance.

The only kind of quilting I do is straight line quilting on my vintage Bernina with a walking foot. I sketch a "map" on paper for my quilting before so that I can end and begin a line of stitching at an edge of the quilt. I tape the map on the wall above my sewing machine before I begin. Starting in the middle and alternating lines minimizes distortion or stretching. I have a book that showed how to do this. Harriette Hargrave is the author, but I'm sure there are others.

I love the look of stitching 1/4" away from the seams, too. Do you cut the thread after you stitch each block, or do you find a way to hide the transition to a new block?