alternative to sitd
 

I am teaching myself how to quilt. I am learning alot on this site. As an alternative to sitd, which is the only thing I know how to do, some of you advise to use a serpentine or zigzag stitch. Does this go over both sides of the seam? In other words, do you stitch down the center of the seam so that you are sewing on one layer of fabric on one side and three layers on the other side where you have pressed the seam allowances? Am I making myself clear? Thanks.

Howdy and welcome, from TX! I've yet to do this (but plan to, very soon) but I'm sure that's the way it's meant to be done. You'd end up with half of the design, on either side of the "ditch." Instead of wobbly, it'll just look kinda fancy! :thumbup:

you can do it that way if you want- or you can do a decorative stitch across blocks- with nothing to do with the seams- or you can go down the seams it is your choice- batting (density) is dependant on your batting- some batting allows up to 10" between stitching lines- some batts need to be quilted every 2"- 4" if you are using a batt that requires closer stitching you can do cross-hatch lines- or free motion quilting- making designs in your blocks- you can use any decorative stitch your machine offers & sew the decorative stitch where ever you want in your blocks- how ever you want to do it is ok- if you just want to stitch down your seams- as long as they are close enough for the batting you are using you can do that too-

Here's an example of beautiful serpentine stitching. Click the link for pics.

http://www.redpepperquilts.com/2010/...oin-quilt.html

I like to center my serpentine stitch over the seam(s), because of the nature of the stitch if you "drift " a bit it really does not show up... it a very forgiving stitch/method . But I also like to use a varigated thread with the serpentine .

Peggi,

Thank you for that link. I have a baby quilt top finished and put it aside because I was tired of doing stitch in the ditch. Not too good at free motion yet (maybe never.) This idea of using the decorative stitching on one of my machines is the way to go. Can't wait to try it. Another UFO bites the dust soon!!!

also, to make it easier, if you have one, use a walking foot. It feeds the three layers more evenly.

I have also used other decorative stitches, such as the feather stitch to do my machine quilting. Love the looks. Have never done a really large quilt, as it takes longer, but it is fun to do once in awhile on a lap quilt.

When I used to quilt on my DSM I had very few choices of decorative stitches. I found stitching right next to the ditch to be a great solution. I varied from 1/8" to 1/4" away from the seam lines using my foot as a guage. I could only do this with smaller size quilts because it involved turning the quilt quite a bit. I wouldn't attempt it with anything much bigger than 60" square. I would also mix in handquilting for the more elaborate designs because I never felt comfortable FMQ on my domestic. Here is a link to a quilt I did both these techniques with:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...ar-t25770.html

Love the serpentine stitch.
Did not know you could do it so large. I will have to check my machine to see if it will do it that big.

Nice site. Love the look of the serpentine stitch going thru the blocks. I'm going to try that.

I use the serpentine stitch a lot of times. I use the seam line as the guide and the stitching goes over both fabrics. I think it looks nice on lots of quilts. Adds a little interest.

An experienced quilting friend of mine had suggested the serpentine stitch for a baby quilt that I am making for my new grandson and I have been practicing on a small quilt sandwich to find the best stitch width and length for my machine. Then I saw that someone recommended AllPeopleQuilt on this site yesterday and I found this: http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/techni...lery_ss12.html
It says that it's easy enough for a beginner! Good luck with your project and welcome from the Lone Star State.

This would be a great method for beginners to gain confidence and also produce a nice quilt.

I love to combine machine and hand stitching!!!!! Is there an abbreviated name for "next to the ditch", LOL???

thanks for the link - I never thought outside the box - woohoo new trick learned! Thanks for sharing.

Lots of decorative stitches look really neat elongated or made wider. If you can get ahold of Mary Mashuta's Foolproof Macine Quilting you'll get some terrific ideas and explanations. It's all done with the walking foot.

Welcome to the board. I think that is the way it is intended to work. I haven't tried it yet, but I have several Project Linus quilts ready to quilt and I think that would be a quick and easy way to quilt them.

Foolproof Machine Quilting by Mary Mashuta is a book that I recently bought. She explains how to use your walking foot to create the look of some FMQ-like designs. I'd suggest you go check it out (got mine from Amazon). It helps to expand the quilting skill without actually having to do FMQ.

You might want to experiment with some FMQ--I'm not great by any means! But will tackle a lap quilt size and have found that I'm getting much better. If you can set your feed dogs down and have an embroidery/FMQ foot, give it a try. I did see a tip recently that REALLY made sense--work so that you are bring the work TOWARD you instead of away--being able to actually see what you've done let's you keep track of where you are with your design. Just did this on a lap quilt and it was so much easier!

AuntLucy wrote: - (I found this: http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/techni...lery_ss12.html
It says that it's easy enough for a beginner!) -

Thank you for that reference, I like that - it just made that look so dressy!

Marysewfun

It can be done very nicely over the seam, along one side of the seam, and along both sides of the seam. Whatever look you want for the finished quilt.