Question about meander quilting
 

I made a table runner and I am trying to decide just how to quilt it. But first I have a question for all of you who use their sewing machines to quilt. When you meander quilt or stipple quilt something do you also straight line quilt (stitch in the ditch) along the straight seams first?

Nope, but I start in the middle of the quilt working out to the edges when stipple or meandering quilting.

Meandering/stippling combined with some SITD can create some great looks, but isn't necessary. It just depends where the straight lines are...a border would be a great place for SITD with stippling in the main part of the quilt and an simple design inside the border. But that is my opinion and each quilt has different quilting needs.

No I don't, sometimes I do straight line stitching also, all depends on the quilt. I never do SITD, I sew about 1/4" away from the seam.

If STID of the blocks, and borders - even if I am doing an all-over meander/stipple. I was taught to do this to help stabilize the layers, allow me to remove some pin basting, and to help prevent excess shifting of layers.

I no longer do a lot of quilting on my DSM because I rent time on a longarm at my LQS.

I don't have a walking foot, so I only do a meander. I start in the middle like Heather Elaine.

I took the same class, and, like you, I now do some SITD around basic blocks. I really like the way my quilts turn out.

I prefer to do SITD because it accents the piecing which should be the star of the show.