I am not new to sewing, but am new to machine quilting. Previously, I always tied my quilts. Since I discovered a walking foot, I've been in heaven creating new quilts and machine quilting them!
Stitch in the ditch is a great way to build your skills and confidence in quilting. I've since taken a class in free motion quilting and really enjoy that. Hopefully I will perfect my skills there and be able to do some of the beautiful stitching that I see here on the board. I still stitch in the ditch too, depending on the quilt and who it's for. Until I'm pretty comfortable with my fancy quilting skills, I will likely continue.