bearisgray

I did my SITD so I went completely across the quilt and didn't need to worry about the thread ends - they were covered by the binding.

I think many people either make several tiny stitches almost on top of each other at the end of a section or leave tails that they bury into the quilt.

gale

did that happen with seams pressed to one side or seams pressed open? I can see how it would happen with seams pressed open. But don't see how it would happen otherwise.

I don't like to do a regular SITD because I can't stay in the ditch, but I LOVE the serpentine I programmed into my 6600 and I can go over the ditch with it and not worry about staying in the ditch or about broken seams. Plus I love the way it looks.

MadQuilter

If the SID seam breaks, there is a good chance that the stitch length was too short. I bump mine up from 2 to 3 or even 3.5. That way there is a little give in the seam when the quilt gets tugged. I have never had a seam rip with a longer stitch length.

bearisgray

I have not had any seams come apart either - I pressed my seams to the side -

OKLAHOMA PEACH

Used a invisible thread on my last wall quilt, was not happy at all, but did look better after washing. Can't see how seams would come apart when seams are pressed to one side. I use a zipper foot for stitching in the ditch, so easy to follow hollow with it. Good luck and have fun.

Dina

I think some quilters just don't like SID. I believe it is the best stitch for a beginner. In fact, I prefer it still, I just like the way it looks. I have just finished my 59th quilt, and most of them have been SID. I do use a SID foot...which has a thing in the middle, sort of like a 1/4 inch foot has that thing on the side...can't think of what it is called. I just line that thing up on my seam (which I press to one side, not open) and go. I hit the seam 98% of the time, and when I don't, I don't worry about it. No one has ever complained.

I used invisible thread once and didn't like it. It was hard to snip close enough so that it didn't leave a bit up to stick into me when I sat on it. I have also heard it shouldn't be used on a baby quilt.

I used to backstitch when I started SID, but now I just set my stitch size on 1 and stitch about 5 times. Works fine.

I have only been quilting 3 years, and I am sure I will try other quilting styles eventually, but I just really like the way SID looks. Sometimes the other quilting gets in the way of the pattern I want to be seen...or at least that is my story, and I am sticking to it.

Whatever you decide, enjoy the process. That is what it is all about.

Dina

Dina

[QUOTE=vivientan;1479519]I just took a photo of my quilt top and thought it would be easier if I post it up. So should I use invisible, variegated or grey thread? I hope to be able to decide soon and start working on my quilt.

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x...s/DSC03769.jpg[/IMG]

What a great quilt!!! Just beautiful!! You have got to be proud!! SID will work well for it.

Dina

franc36

I use some SITD on every quilt. I use my walking foot or do SITD free motion. Unless I am making a baby quilt or a quilt for someone in a nursing home, I usually use Aurifil monofilament thread ( nylon) with Aurifil cotton thread in the bobbin. I have never had a problem with it and have used different sized needles. I do start in the middle of the quilt. When I am a better quilter, I'll probably switch to quilting with cotton thread; but for now, monofilament works for me.

Daylesewblessed

I do a lot of SITD. but for one of my block patterns, it would have given an effect that I didn't like. So I did a stitch 1/8" away from the ditch, and I liked it. However, 2 different judges told me to "get in the ditch". I thought that was funny -- I was never in the ditch on that quilt, and you would have thought that had I aimed for the ditch, I would have been in it once in awhile. Either the judges thought I was lousy at quilting or they thought it would have looked better in the ditch.

maryel

I don't like the nylon thread either so when I stich in the ditch, I use a neutral thread color and it seems to blend well.