FMQ vs. Stitch in the Ditch
08-13-2016, 10:09 AM
#1
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FMQ vs. Stitch in the Ditch
When you do an overall design in FMQ, do you still stitch in the ditch on the quilt? Sometimes I find that when I stitch in the ditch, the design is distorted somewhat even using the even feed foot. Thanks for your responses.
08-13-2016, 10:32 AM
#2
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If the quilt is blocks with sashing, I usually SITD the sashing first to keep it straight, I then do FMQ in the blocks and on the sashing. If however I plan to do an all over pattern, I do not SITD. FMQ will distort the top some especially if you are doing a lot of stitching on the fabric bias.
08-13-2016, 01:05 PM
#5
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Originally Posted by AlvaStitcher
When you do an overall design in FMQ, do you still stitch in the ditch on the quilt? Sometimes I find that when I stitch in the ditch, the design is distorted somewhat even using the even feed foot. Thanks for your responses.
I haven't done SITD when using an allover design. It seems like it would ruin the effect of the allover FMQ design on the quilt back.
08-13-2016, 01:11 PM
#6
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I usually STID at least a couple of rows the length and width of the quilt before I do an all over design. On some quilts I've done STID around all blocks before FMQ. Since I do my quilting on my DSM I want to be sure it is stable since it can take a fair amount of pushing, pulling and re-adjusting with a larger quilt. I do pin basting and so far so good
08-13-2016, 01:51 PM
#8
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I never stitch-in-the-ditch before I do an all over pattern. However, I glue baste, and nothing ever shifts because the Elmer's School Glue holds it firmly, no matter how much twisting and pulling I do. If I had to pin baste, I don't think I would ever do FMQ. Glue basting is the best idea I've ever borrowed.
08-13-2016, 04:12 PM
#9
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Originally Posted by loisf
I never stitch-in-the-ditch before I do an all over pattern. However, I glue baste, and nothing ever shifts because the Elmer's School Glue holds it firmly, no matter how much twisting and pulling I do. If I had to pin baste, I don't think I would ever do FMQ. Glue basting is the best idea I've ever borrowed.
08-13-2016, 06:23 PM
#10
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The purpose of SID is to prevent any distortion. SID is a type of foundation quilting that should prevent your quilt from shifting while you FMQ. If your fabric is shifting & getting distorted from the SID, see if you can adjust the tension on your presser foot to lessen it. Also, with high loft batting (not sure if that's what you're using), certain feet can drag on the fabric. I have to use an open toe with my walking foot (I don't have even feed) because the other 2 options drag too much (one is a regular-type foot, the other is a ditch guide foot).
If you are referring to the thread overlapping your design, I use water soluble thread for my SID work so that I get the advantage of the foundation without creating a permanent interruption in my chose FMQ design.
If you are referring to the thread overlapping your design, I use water soluble thread for my SID work so that I get the advantage of the foundation without creating a permanent interruption in my chose FMQ design.
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