vivientan

I just started to learn machine quilting and will be working my first project, which is a single-size quilt. I would like to machine quilt using the stitch in the ditch method as I'm not very confident with free motion quilting yet. Some questions I have:

1. If I'm using a nylon monofilament thread for the top, should I use a matching cotton thread in the bobbin for the back? I tried this on a practice quilt but the bobbin thread shows on the top and no matter how I adjusted the thread tension, it still shows. Any advice?

2. I have some spools of DMC machine embroidery thread, 50 wt. Are they suitable for machine quilting for my top? They look rather thin to me and I'm not sure if they are strong enough to hold the quilt layers together and withstand frequent washing.

3. For stitching in the ditch, is it advisable to always start stitching from the middle section?

4. If I do decide to use a cotton thread for the top instead of monofilament thread, what colour should I use? I'm quilting a scrap quilt which has both light and dark fabrics and find it difficult to decide on a suitable colour.

Thanks and looking forward to good advice!

Rebecca VLQ

I use the same thread on top and bottom, mostly so the weights match up.

I have no idea about the embroidery thread.

I like to work from the middle out, because you're guaranteed for it to get easier as you go. Not to mention as you quilt, the fabric has somewhere to "go" when it gets to it's true flatness. If you go outside in, you could end up with a bubble I think.

Color? Up to you. Decide if you want it to show a lot or a little. Then match it up to the fabric accordingly. Also, it's going to show on the back as well.

cjomomma

I love SITD. But here is the problem I have come across. It has a tendency to break the seam threads. I made a quilt and after about 4 washing the seams came apart, so I won't do it SITD anymore. Now I quilt 1/4 in outside the seams.

merryhare

Good thought! I, too, love SITD for some applications. I am currently repairing a queen size quilt that my mother made for my 26 yo son. You can guess that he "uses" the quilt a lot--it is not just for show. I found many open seams and had not thought about why before. Mostly on the back though where her backing seams lined up with front seams--she uses the quilt in sections method so that the whole quilt is not being maneuvered around her small machine at one time.

Butterflyblue

I read in a quilt book that that would happen, though I haven't seen it in my own quilts, so I avoid SITD when possible, too.

dungeonquilter

I STID on my son's quilt. The fabric wore out, but none of the seams ever came apart. When using monofilament thread, you need to loosen the top tension alot. The top thread is pulling up the bobbin thread. Practice on a scrap sandwich until you get the right tension.

Aunt Retta

I am finishing a baby quilt and I stitched about 1/8 of an inch outsidethe seam. I really like how it looks!

MadQuilter

I am an SID-er. So far I have used the invisible thread on one quilt. Did not like the way it handled. It took forever to trim all the pokey little ends. Can't remember if there was a problem with tension.

Are you standing the spool UPRIGHT? I actually put mine in a cup as a spool holder.
Not all invisibles are created equal. Some handle better than others.

I switched to a "regular" thread in the top and bobbin. Sometimes I match color, sometimes I don't. On my scrappies, I often go with a variegated thread in the basic color line. Granted, in the ditch you're not supposed to see the thread - but some of my quilting is more along the "meander around the ditch" and I don't mind seeing the multi-color thread.

I would test the embroidery thread on a potholder to see how it feels and handles.

I roll my quilt and start approximately in the middle (that is on the top of the center line) working one side in that orientation. Then I turn the quilt, roll the other side and SID the rest.

Now I find that the success in SID depends largely on a good sandwich. (So go make yourself a PBJ -lol) Seriously, I tape the backing fabric real taut with painter's tape and layer the batting and top with great care to smooth out all the puckers and any excess. Then I pin baste no less than hand-width apart. Last 2 quilts did not have any SID puckers in EITHER direction. I was pleased as punch!

I also take many breaks when SID-ing. Tired eyes AND tired shoulders can lead to the quilt being pulled out of the ditch. (Of course, more than 2 glasses of wine have a similar effect. lol)

Have fun.

quiltbugs

I wouldn't use the nylon thread. To me, that stuff is a pain in the you know what.

Prism99

1. Did you loosen the top tension? You might also have to tighten the bottom tension (involves tightening screw on bobbin case; instructions online). For invisible on top and cotton in the bottom, the bottom tension has to be tight enough to pull the top thread down. If you do everything and still can't get the dots to go away, it's probably best to switch to a matching cotton thread in top and bottom.

3. You start in the middle *of an edge* and work to the other edge. You don't start in the dead center of the quilt.

4. A variegated thead can be nice.

Have you done SID before? I personally stopped doing it because it makes me too tense trying to stay exactly straight all the time. Now I use a walking foot and make wavy lines instead.