I have never had any luck with SID. Always amazed that a single stitch could wiggle around so much! I use wavy stitches or long decorative stitches now, with a SID foot. Makes it easy to keep in line (generally) and to keep the stitch pattern balanced visually. Looks far better than SID!

I to agree free motion is easier than SID but some quilts just seem to need the SID so I use the serpentine stitch and is wonderful it gets me lots of compliments and can relax and sew if you don't have this stitch you might have another one you could try

THe quilt police weren't at your house. They were at mine trying to decide my penalty for breaking so many rules. I was fighting with a Dear Jane block all evening.
I gave up on SID because I can't stay in the ditch. I have a SID foot it helps but I still wobble. As some have already said I do better with an open toe foot, I can see where I am going better. I also have an Ott light and a small bright bendable light stuck to my machine. I just had an eye exam last week and the Opthomologist told me readers are actually better to sew with than my prescription glasses. If i want to SID I use my serpentine stitch and stitch along the ditch. Looks much better. I also find I can see better if I have my chair a little higher to FMQ.

I have a smaller Ott light that you plug in. I sit it on my sewing machine, pull up the cover, and it goes on. Think I got it at Joann's.

I feel your pain!

Can't help you on this since I hand quilt. Sorry!

I feel for you! When I SD, I do it early in the day before I get tired. I have found late in the day or in the middle of the night I'm only good for straight lines or fancy machine stuff (NOT small tight stuff). A far as a light and magnifier go. I use the OLD kind that mount on the end of a desk (or sewing table). They plug in, but are big (use in fine computer work - QC stuff - jewelers use them). They move any way you want them & the arm is long. A lot of times they are at garage sales for a couple of bucks, but they are great. Because the arm is long you are able to mount out of your way, but still be able to use it in just the spot you want it. Mine is mounted on the right side of my sewing table, so it does not get in the way of anything I'm sewing or quilting. Good luck

I used to SID all the time, it was the only quilting I could do, but I agonised over the sections where I wandered out of the ditch for a bit. Then I found echo or shadow quilting where you sew parallel with the seam. It's wonderful! and much more forgiving of any mistakes. I can use my walking foot as a guide, and move the needle sideways to make a larger or smaller echo. (And I never quilt without quilting gloves -- it takes all the strain out of moving fabric and my hands don't ache from the effort.)
Gspsplease

I agree. The serpentine stitch only adds to the look of a washed quilt. If you sew a little 'crooked' it doesn't matter because it doesn't show. Less stress too because you aren't so concerned about staying in the ditch or keeping a straight line. You just set your width and length to your choice (I always do a test piece first using the same fabric and batting), sew at a reasonable pace, and you have added character to your quilt. With the crinkly look of the washed quilt, you would need a magnifying glass to see where your stitches strayed. And who looks anyway?

Another way to get a good wobble stitch is to do the longest zigzag stitch you can and narrow it so that the zigs are only a couple of threads wide. It is like a serpentine but you don't get the tight stitches around the top.