I Thought Stitch in the Ditch meant in the Seam
 

I thought the goal was to aim for the seam or if you prefer right beside it. According to an article on Craftsy the "ditch" is actually the side of the seam that does not have the bulk of the fabric.

I stitch where I want. Sometime in the seam sometime to the right or to the left. I'm not a quilt rule follower. LOL

I too thought the ditch was the seam. you're not alone

That's how I learned to do it, on the low (ditch) side of the seam, as close to the seam as you can get, but not right on it.

That isn't a rule, it's a definition. If you do something else you're not breaking a rule, you're just not stitching in the ditch. Simple really.



Me, too, and staying with the low side whenever it shifts to the other side of the seam. When done well, all the stitching disappears under the lip of the high side fabric.

But of course! I think the information is meant to be helpful. It s probably easier to sew straight while avoiding the bulk. I think it's interesting where they define "ditch". I thought it was the crack.

I think they're just saying not to sew on the pressed side. It will look more like a "french seam" if you do. It all depends on your preference to press seams open or to one side.

That's good to know! I've been trying FMQ and not doing so well so I may start doing a lot more SITD.

Quote: and staying with the low side whenever it shifts to the other side of the seam. When done well, all the stitching disappears under the lip of the high side fabric.

I think many people have the mistaken impression that 'ditch' refers to the seam line. The ditch is created by pressing to the side, making one side of the seam higher than the other. It seems to me there would be a good chance of breaking your piecing stitches if you sewed right through your piecing seams.

Hopefully this thread will help a lot of people! Interesting that I was taught to sew in the seam at my "Learn to Quilt" class.