Question about SITD and straight line quilting...
 

What is the proper or accepted procedure for STID or straight line quilting on a DSM? I've done some of this on small projects--mug rugs, wall hangings, placemats, etc., but have never resolved in my mind the correct way to do it. Now I'm getting ready to quilt a throw size quilt--a gift for my son and DIL-- on my new Brother Innov'is 450Q machine and here's my question:

When using SITD, is it correct to stitch all around the piece you're quilting, as in sew, turn, sew, turn, back to your starting place without crossing a seam line? Or is it considered permissable to straight line quilt --still in the ditch--which means crossing seam lines of pieces and blocks? Is that clear as mud? The first means a lot more stops and starts; the second is quicker, naturally. I suppose it's obvious that I'm a self taught piecer and quilter. Have sewn for many years but have been quiltmaking only about 3 of those.

I'm not long on patience but this is a special project and I want to do it the right way. I'll appreciate input from all those who know!

Thanks!

I am still just a beginner and have mostly only quilted smaller projects such as baby quilts, I stitch in the ditch, which to me means stitching down the seam lines. So mainly I stitch straight through the center most lines and work my way out to the edge. Depending on the pattern, I like the end result which is often a very pleasing pattern of stitching on the back of the quilt. Sometimes, if I think it needs more stitching, I will echo ( I think that is the term) quilt squares, using one inch painters tape in order to keep the lines straight. I assume how much quilting depends on the batting one is using. I still have much to learn, but thought this gave me an opportunity to participate in this form.

There is no wrong way and right way. I have always sewn from one end to the other, starting with the middle of each side. In my mind, starting in the middle gets the most difficult lines out of the way first while there are no other stitching lines to worry about. I have never even thought about quilting in circles (squares), but it seems to me that is less supportive of your batting. Usually you need to cross lines in order to meet batting specifications for how apart quilting lines need to be; the distance between quilting lines is in all directions, not just one.

One problem I ran into at first was getting puckers where I crossed stitching lines. I found that heavily starching both the backing fabric and the top helped a *lot*. I use a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water on the backing (I "paint" this on yardage with a large wall painting brush, toss in dryer, and iron with steam) and lots of spray starch on the top. Starch stabilizes the fabric so that you do not inadvertently stretch the fabric as you quilt (which is what causes fabric to fold over and create a tuck or pucker where you cross a line).

Spray basting with 505 also helps because it keeps all 3 layers of the sandwich in continuous contact.

I cross over lines all the time. It add to the design in my mind. I start in the center and work outwards. Outwards? Is that a word? Anyhow, that's what I do. I've been doing a lot of shadow quilting. Lots of crossed lines there.

I cross over lines and backtrack over the same line of quilting all the time. The stopping /starting and making sure you get a good knot for every start and stop can be a real pain in the .... I think it makes the quilting sturdier to not have all the stopping/starting knots. But that just me.

being a long time word inventor for personal use (only lol) i believe outwards is a word, or should be, imho :))

i, too, start in moddle and work out. cross lines. i find that stretching backing tight before layering w batt & top, i have very little issue w puckering at crossings. i hand baste - grid of every 3-4" over surface of sandwich. been working for me for a long long time.

What kind of thread do you use for SID? Do you match the color of your blocks or use invisible thread?

Like others have said...there are no rules. I usually do straight lines first then if the design
allows me to SID in "circle" I might do that just to avoid lots of starts and stops. One thing
I learned is that if you cross the same line several times it might make your quilt a little
stiffer but also make more crinkles after wash...gives it more that antique look.

Yes, you can cross lines. You can cross lines any time you quilt. If you do loop de loops, you are crossing lots of lines. If you write words, you are crossing lines as well. I think that stippling is one of the ones where you aren't supposed to touch or cross lines, but a lot of the styles of quilting as on Leah Day's site, involve crossed lines.

The nice thing about quilting is there really are no rules - you do what pleases your eye! Your techniques will change as you get more experience. Many times I stitch in the ditch to "anchor" the blocks then I will use a different technique in the middle of the block.