Quilt police could have got me for sure last night!
 

Thank Goodness the quilt police were not around last night. Tried my hand at stitch in the ditch. My goodness you would have thought I was sewing under the influence! Couldn't do a straight line for anything. guess the old eyes ain't what they used to be! Now in search of a lighted magnifier to attach to sewing machine - any recommendations? I wish there was one that you could plug in and not use batteries - is there such a thing? Thanks!

Well you sound like me! I have an OTT-light wannabee I got at Big Lots and I aim it at the presser foot. It does give me good light. As far as trying to stitch in the ditch, you could stitch near the ditch and use the edge of the presser foot as a guide, or you could use a "wobble stitch" where you intentionally have it jiggly, or, you could use a decorative stitch in or near the ditch. You will get lots of good suggestions from the wonderful quilters on this board. Good luck and post a picture when you are done!!

LOL :) I'm, sure it's not as bad as you think. Some people swear by a stitch in the ditch foot, it has like a plough to keep you in the straight and narrow LOL.
The only plug in lighted magnifier I know of is a free standing one, an Ott Light, http://www.ottlite.com/c-41-magnification-lamps.aspx not cheap though :(

It was pretty bad! But it was on a placemat I had worked up to go with my braided table runner so i was experimenting how to stitch the table runner. i like to piece things together but just have a hard time quilting them. I have so many ufos that are pieced just need quilted. I figured I better start finishing them.Luckily I belong to a large quilt guild that does charity quilts so I piece them together then turn them in for someone else to quilt and then someone else does the binding. It works out well I think that it is a large group and everyone seems to be able to do what they enjoy with it. Definitely a group project! But I have to conquer the quilting thing.

actually, make sure you have the walking foot, secured well....sometimes mine comes loose after a while and I have to tighten the screw again...if I don't, it starts jiggling!

A stitch in the ditch foot can be so helpful when trying to get your stitches in the right place. There are two types for most machines... One that is on a walking foot , the other is not on the walking foot. One thing I like about the stitchin the ditch foot .. I tend not to sit as close and bend so much to see the stitching path, although I do have to remind my self to sit back. I am much less fatigued and sore after using it. I thought it was well worth the $$.

Sewing a straight line is much more difficult than FMQ, in my opinion.

Why don't you use one of the built in stitches that is like an elongated S that looks good as a different approach to stitch in a ditch as it is meant to be seen.
Jenny

I have a Pfaff so don't need the big clunky walking foot. I use a 4 MM open toe foot. You can see where the needle goes and can move the fabric in the right direction. Also have used a 'joiner' foot or now re-named SID foot. It has a blade in the middle that runs along the seam. That worked ok, but still a sight issue.

Good luck...

Just one of the "perks," of getting older! :p I used to be able to trace a line (sewing), to where it looked as if the stitching was part of the fabric . . . but no more. Same with SITD. When I think about it, I switch to higher-power reading glasses, to sew . . . but usually don't think about it, until after I've wobbled off-course. I love Stitchnripper's suggestion of an intentionally wobbly SITD! :thumbup:

Quilting is not easy but like anything it takes a little practice. Good luck with yours.

Another vote for the SITD foot. I don't need a walking foot with my 301, but I do need the SITD foot. Leah Day SsITD with an open toed darning foot, but I prefer the SITD foot after trying both ways.

sometimes i give up on straight stitching in the ditch and just do a small wavy line down the seam lines. works well and covers a multitude of mistakes. I just use my walking foot and guide the quilt to the left, then the right and so on as I sew.

I gave up on SID and now use a serpentine stitch instead, which is very forgiving. SID made me cross-eyed and tense!

It's just like trying to draw a straight line. I mean... that's hard! But your secret is safe with us. Besides, the wuilt police are currently busy trying to figure out how my sewing room got so messy... LOL!

If you have the option of doing a decorative stitch that swings back and forth over the line, it covers a lot of the crookedness that shows up in SID when you can stay in the ditch. Just an idea. I like the scallop design for this. I also use a zig-zag stitch as well as a "joining" stitch (#074 on my Elna and #18 on my Bernina Activia 135).

Yes, that's about all I like to do now is foot next to the ditch and go with it. At least it is straight.

I have a stitch in the ditch foot with the flange. I found it MUCH easier to SITD with a regular open toe foot. Actually, I have a Horizon with built in even feed to used the Accufeed open toe foot.

I call mine "meandering along the ditch" and yes, under the influence might have something to do with it in my case. lol
When you do yours, do you slightly pull the seam apart from both sides so you can get right into the ditch? That seems to help. Also, when the seam changes direction, do you use a few small stitches to guide the needle over to the new low side? That works well too. If in doubt, I use monofilament thread in the top and SID to my heart's content.

There is a magnifier with LED lights that you can hang around your neck. Not sure how it would work for machine work.

Remember, after the quilt is washed, most of these off SID lines will disappear in the slight pucker of the quilt. No worries.

I have an ott type light with a big magnifier only trouble is I have had it for several years and purchased at a garage sall for $2 it works wonderful it has a long extension arm and clamps on to your table or desk. I bought it from a scrapbooker so you might try searching scrap book stores

I have never had any luck with SID. Always amazed that a single stitch could wiggle around so much! I use wavy stitches or long decorative stitches now, with a SID foot. Makes it easy to keep in line (generally) and to keep the stitch pattern balanced visually. Looks far better than SID!

I to agree free motion is easier than SID but some quilts just seem to need the SID so I use the serpentine stitch and is wonderful it gets me lots of compliments and can relax and sew if you don't have this stitch you might have another one you could try

THe quilt police weren't at your house. They were at mine trying to decide my penalty for breaking so many rules. I was fighting with a Dear Jane block all evening.
I gave up on SID because I can't stay in the ditch. I have a SID foot it helps but I still wobble. As some have already said I do better with an open toe foot, I can see where I am going better. I also have an Ott light and a small bright bendable light stuck to my machine. I just had an eye exam last week and the Opthomologist told me readers are actually better to sew with than my prescription glasses. If i want to SID I use my serpentine stitch and stitch along the ditch. Looks much better. I also find I can see better if I have my chair a little higher to FMQ.

I have a smaller Ott light that you plug in. I sit it on my sewing machine, pull up the cover, and it goes on. Think I got it at Joann's.

I feel your pain!

Can't help you on this since I hand quilt. Sorry!

I feel for you! When I SD, I do it early in the day before I get tired. I have found late in the day or in the middle of the night I'm only good for straight lines or fancy machine stuff (NOT small tight stuff). A far as a light and magnifier go. I use the OLD kind that mount on the end of a desk (or sewing table). They plug in, but are big (use in fine computer work - QC stuff - jewelers use them). They move any way you want them & the arm is long. A lot of times they are at garage sales for a couple of bucks, but they are great. Because the arm is long you are able to mount out of your way, but still be able to use it in just the spot you want it. Mine is mounted on the right side of my sewing table, so it does not get in the way of anything I'm sewing or quilting. Good luck

I used to SID all the time, it was the only quilting I could do, but I agonised over the sections where I wandered out of the ditch for a bit. Then I found echo or shadow quilting where you sew parallel with the seam. It's wonderful! and much more forgiving of any mistakes. I can use my walking foot as a guide, and move the needle sideways to make a larger or smaller echo. (And I never quilt without quilting gloves -- it takes all the strain out of moving fabric and my hands don't ache from the effort.)
Gspsplease

I agree. The serpentine stitch only adds to the look of a washed quilt. If you sew a little 'crooked' it doesn't matter because it doesn't show. Less stress too because you aren't so concerned about staying in the ditch or keeping a straight line. You just set your width and length to your choice (I always do a test piece first using the same fabric and batting), sew at a reasonable pace, and you have added character to your quilt. With the crinkly look of the washed quilt, you would need a magnifying glass to see where your stitches strayed. And who looks anyway?

Another way to get a good wobble stitch is to do the longest zigzag stitch you can and narrow it so that the zigs are only a couple of threads wide. It is like a serpentine but you don't get the tight stitches around the top.

I use an extremely fine thread when doing SID. Superior Threads "Bottom Line".

I learn something new everyday. I did not know there was a foot made for this. Heavy sigh. Onto Amazon. Thank you!

I wear magnifying glasses to sew. Do have to lean in pretty close. I sew in short bursts so it's not a problem. Have always had a hard time stitching in the ditch straight.

Quilt police??? They are banished from all members of this boards homes!!

Thanks everyone! i am going to try a couple of the stitches you all suggested on the other placemat. Figured they were just for hubby and me so it doesn't matter if they aren't perfect. And it is giving me practice. i gotta get these dang ufos under control! (that never happens though does it? lol)

Again i want to say thanks for all the suggestions. I have just came out of my girl cave and I have a table runner I pieced a long time ago 3/4 of the way quilted on top!!!!!I used a kinda "s" stitch on my machine and kept it center on the lines. its amazing how much it hides!!!!!

Try a glass of wine - it won't make your stitching any better, but at least you won't care!! (Oops I can hear the quilt police coming .......)

This does not have a magnifier on it but I recently saw a LED light that attached to the under side of your sewing machine throat and it is not battery run. You can look at it at www.sewbritesolutions.com

I use an open toe foot, too. I like being able to see where I'm going. I have used SID foot, and it was fine, I'm just used to the open toe foot.

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