I use the edge stitcher (used to do top stitching and also the invisible hemming stitch) and move the needle one position. This way I am edge stitching just off of the seam. I, too , like the look.

I've also used a "wobbly" stitch -- zigzag set at the very least width. Then I can follow the seam and it wibble wobbles and looks great especially after washing and drying.

I stitch in the ditch on the seam. I also bought a foot from Amazon that helps a lot. I stay in the ditch now. It is easier to do.I used to use the walking foot.

I do stitch in ditch by machine when I think it works for
some quilts (although I do FMQ ) because I like the pattern it will leave on back. Not always wanting circles or
feathers for my square blocks.
Tried using filament thread but had trouble with it so never again. After findining out I own a SID foot I tried it last week but had puckers/bad stitiching on back so
ripped for many hours.
Have to use the walking foot for correct feed to fabric
but then guide it carefully where I can bury the thread not to be seen on the top. I don't find that hard.
Don't think it's the same if you are hand stitching as you are wanting your stitches to show. My quilts are not museum quality but I sure have fun .

I`ve handquilted all my quilts so far and SID and as you say i just follow the seams but not exactly on it...i don`t even do it 1/4" away i do it just a hairline away so i can see my stitch yet it looks in the ditch,,,i know i`m a bit different...but thy have all turned out beautiful, and i love the look and feel of handquilting...it does take time though...but i find it so relaxing...i also try and do it on the side with no seam allowance

This is a little quilt I made for a workshop several years ago. As you can see I hand quilted every block in a different way. The block in the top row on the left is quilted with SID (or quilting in the ditch), the block in the bottom row on the left is done with outline quilting.

What a great Quilting Sampler ... shows how the same block can look so different with different quilting!

Thanks for sharing.

This is what I'm going to do on my current project.(stitch next to the seam) I tried to SID but it wasn't working well for me. (Well...ok....my corners weren't the best.) So I'm going to leave the current SID in for my anchor (I only had a few passes) and change my technique. Then I'll take them out.

Also, when I first tried SID the quilter who told me about it assumed I knew how to start and stop with tiny stitches. I didn't so I had a lot of tails to cut and tie. :? Luckily it was a small charity quilt. Now when someone suggests a new technique, if I'm not going to a worikshop, I'll check out the videos and tutorials first.

Older and a little wiser. 8-)

Oh Tonnie, reading this thread has given me a real chuckle. It does look like you have a stutter problem LOL. actually that looks like something that I would do.
When I first started hand quilting, I quilted 1/4 inch from the seam. I loved the look of that. Now with my hands not co-operating very well, I stitch in the ditch so my stitches don't show as much. I too stitch just up against the seam on the low side. It's hard to do right in the ditch unless you press all your seams open, and I don't like to do that. I'm glad you are doing hand quilting. I just love Andrea's quilts.

I use an open toe foot so one can see exactly where the needle is going down and have much better luck with this method.

Oh oh.....what am I supposed to do on corners and starts and stops when I SID?