I've used the stitch in the ditch method but I've guessed how to start each time. I begin in the center, with the first stitches smaller and after the first half inch, I adjust to larger stitches. Is this the correct method. I'm willing to try anything.

That is the way I do it.

Your stitches should generally be uniform. The LA people of my guild say to stitch 3 times in one place to lock the stitch before continuing, which is, I assume, why you use small stitches. Your method will achieve that purpose, if that is what you have in mind. On my home machine, what I do is one stitch forward, one in reverse, then keep going.

Many thanks for your reply.

I'll try that with my next project. Many thanks for your response.

I stitch one forward and one reverse and then leave tails and bury them when finished. I use the Spiral Needle which is great for doing the burying of tail ends.

Thanks for your reply. It's very helpful.