I'm ready to quilt my Bargello quilt and decided on a pattern. I have never machine quilted a quilt so I first decided I better just try an in-the-ditch thing. After stitching some, it looked like I could have bought it at WalMart so I took the stitches out. (I must say, spray adhesive is very good because after that wrestling match, my quilt and backing were still in good shape. But I am beat! Now back to square one. I have drawn my pattern out on paper but do not know the best way to get the pattern onto my quilt. If I were hand quilting (may end up doing this), I would draw as I go. This does not seam feasible for machine quilting. What's the best way?

Sorry, I can't help you...SID is often difficult to master and some people do a meandering SID, like a wavy line.

I look forward to other's suggestions.

I've seen bargello's just quilted through each square diagonally and it looks great, if you do a search there are a few pictures listed here.

Here's one

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-35462-1.htm

That one is really pretty. Don't think that would work on my pattern because of different size squares & different pattern. That is attractive, tho. Thanks. I'll think on it.

Normally I mark up my top before sandwiching it, but if you've found a pattern that you like you can trace it onto template plastic. Then cut out or burn out the areas of the design and make yourself a template of it. Then you could use a water soluable marker to mark up your top.

I draw the design out on tissue paper, pin it to the quilt and sew right through the paper. When you are done, tear it away. Not sure how easy this would be for the entire quilt top though, as I am normally designing per block, not an entire quilt top.

Good luck. I too have those problems. However just a quick comment here --no dumb questions --on the other hand my answers may not be the most intelligent on the block! LOL

I deliberately DON'T stitch in the ditch. I quilt in a line about 1/4" off the edge of the shapes, like handquilters do. Takes same amount of time but less effort, in my opinion.

Jan in VA

I have a terrible time with stitch in the ditch. I do a meandering or serpentine stitch. It works better for me and is much more forgiving.

even a zigzag or other decorative stitch over the ditch works well sometimes