Thread: Stitch in the ditch to stabilize

I use the stich-in-the ditch foot AND a simple decorative stitch to stabilize the quilt, I find it softens the stitching line and if you don't hit the ditch right it does not matter so much... I will try to post a picture

Originally Posted by Thats_It_I_Quilt

I use the stich-in-the-ditch foot AND a simple decorative stitch to stabilize the quilt, I find it softens the stitching line and if you don't hit the ditch right it may not matter so much... I will try to post a picture

Picture, if you zoom in behind the foot you can see what I mean...

It has the added effect of getting me to think that I'm already at the "fun" part.

Those blue fabrics are beautiful.

Originally Posted by Thats_It_I_Quilt

Picture, if you zoom in behind the foot you can see what I mean...

It has the added effect of getting me to think that I'm already at the "fun" part.

I love the look of this but how do you do those little leaves with doing straight line SITD with a walking foot?

If the quilt has sashing I do SITD first so my sashing stays straight. No sashing I usually start quilting in the center but usually FMQ SITD using a ruler if the block has straight edges like Ohio Star and then continue with the FMQing.

I saw a video on YouTube that Leah Day put together on how to quilt an all over pattern with a DSM. I followed her method on my last quilt, a string quilt, and it worked great. She starts in the center, and sort of quilts in quadrants. I use spray basting for most of my quilts and there was no problem with tucks, puckers, etc.

Thankyou everyone.

But what about doing "standard" quilting, not fmq? Should you SITD before starting your straight line quilting or is basting enough?

I feel a little bit like a heretic here, but having looked at images of quilts ditched before quilting, and those not SITD'd, I really prefer the look of those NOT!

I always do SITD to stabilize my quilt so that it is easier to work on...I really stitch next to the seam line not in the ditch. I find it makes the quilt much stronger and if you use a matching thread or a neutral beige/grey thin polyester thread it does not show up. Some quilts with small pieces...I just use stitching around the blocks straight line as quilting..really stabilizes and does not take away from the design of the quilt. I personally don't like too much quilting that sort of takes your eye off the geometric designs.