Butterfli19

I was reading that you should stitch in the opposite side of the pressed seams, but if you lose track or have pressed seams open, you can't do that.

Does it really matter?

stitchinwitch

Maybe I am misunderstanding but "in the ditch" means right on the seam, no?

patricej

"in" the ditch means in the seam. if your seams are pressed to one side then you have no choice but to sew to the other side of the press.

if you have pressed your seams open, then you stitch over the stitches so the quilted SID line disappears into the piecing line. this is a bit chancey unless you pieced with really small stitches and a very sturdy thread. otherwise, if the needle pierces the thread in the piecing seams, it could weaken the structure of the whole quilt. (unless you have a super-eagle eye and can make sure the needle goes always between the piecing stitches. sounds like a good way to torture yourself. :lol:

on the other hand ... man! would you have braggin' rights if you can pull it off!

good luck with that. :lol:

i have switched to "as close to the ditch as i can get". :lol:

dsb38327

I admire those who can do it but I have yet to be successful.

Pam

I figure I already sewed that line, so I go in another direction. How do you like my reasoning, or excuse for not doing SID?

Butterfli19

That's why I was confused. I thought ITD meant in the seam as well, but then the stitches break. I tried sewing close to it but it looks like a mistake. Sigh. I guess I'll keep trying...thanks.

MadQuilter

It does take practice. I generally press the seams to the side and when my SIDs get off a little, I call them my MADs (meandering around the ditch). Perfection (in my book) is highly overrated - at this point, I shoot for FINISHED and looking nice.

What helps me is that the seams all lay in the same direction. When the seam changes direction, it is easy for the needle to jump the bump. I also go slow and I have a SID foot that keeps the gide in the ditch. When I get tired my work suffers.

Just have fun with it.

Kitsie

Use invisible thread then it REALLY doesn't matter! I like the look and don't find it too difficult to have it satisfy me. Just don't go too fast, but I found going too slow was more of a problem for me. I pretty much SID every top and then add the fancy stuff.