I no longer even attempt SID. I just can't do it. I do lots of straight line quilting that echoes certain blocks or block pieces. No ditches here. I just can't do it.

Not here! They charge by the square inch and you bring the batting and backing

I'm not particularly fond of the quilting process. I've done a few small ones myself but prefer to send them out.

binding goes on After quilting--if you bond it first your quilting will cause wrinkles-puckers--the binding is the last step before washing

Try using some of your machine embroidery stitches. They look great for SID, plus you can even use them in your sashing and borders.

An alternative to SID - sew decorative stitches as the 'quilting'. Definitely need a walking foot so that the sandwich feeds evenly.

Like the little zig-zag Amma suggests, this is more forgiving that SID. I often ended up with the decorative stitching along the seamlines, or echoed. My machine only has a few stitches that I like for this, but that's enough to give some variety and interest to the quilting.

I would and DO send mine to the LA, I figure after spending so much on fabric and my time I am not going to ruin it doing home machine quilting myself. I have no desire to do it and if I did I would make a mess.

Mizlee, I'm sorry you're not loving SID, but don't give up. Quilting the top is one of those things that comes with practice. The more you do it, the better it looks. Going slow helps too.

I recently did some FMQ for the first time on a table runner I'm giving to my SIL. Before I did it though, I bought two yards of muslin, pulled out some batting, and made a one yard sandwich. I practiced on that sucker for two weeks, in different colored threads, before I touched the table runner. The practice sandwich looks really crazy but the runner now looks rather nice. In fact, when I look closely, I can see improvement from where I started the runner to where I finished it.

So, don't let the quilting defeat you. Just practice, practice, practice until it becomes second nature. At that point, you'll enjoy your finished product.

this may help my quilt teacher taght this many yrs ago she drew lines on muslin had us hand quilt on lines we did this over and over until out stitches got even after a month or so you will see a difference just takes pratice

I admire anyone who can do SITD! I have practiced doing FMQ for a few years now and it is finally coming around. I had so much trouble FMQ on my Bernina that I bought a treadle and I can go at my own speed on it. Takes a little longer but who cares. Now that I have mastered quilting on the treadle, I can go back to the Bernina with much better results. Anyway, it is not worth stressing over if you can't get the results you want...go to the LAQ, that's why we have these exceptionally talented quilters.