I don't hand quilt but I do agree with this statement. I've been doing alot of echo quilting.

I feel so stupid, thanks for the short form lesson. I love using SID also.

Oh Yeah that's pretty too. I like it.

we [i] need an abbreviation dictionary--i am very gratefull for the updaters

I like SID but find it hard. I seem to have more luck with topstitching one seam from each block.

I do alot of SID simply because I cant do the other very well.

I seldom do free motion quilting, although it it fun to do. I mostly echo stitch each side of the seams, I love the way it makes the design pop.

As a handquilter I have to agree. The only place I SID is on cheater's cloth panels etc. I prefer the look of echo quilting if nothing else. I have a huge collection of quilting stencils I use as much as possible. If I make a top out of simple blocks I make a point to quilt in a way that gives the whole thing a secondary pattern.

I'm a hand quilter too and I had the same thought you had about using varigated threads to show off the stiching. Now I know I'll use it from now on. Thank you for sharing that with us.

Happy Quilting...Andie :-D

I also love SID and have never found it difficult to accomplish. I don't understand people that have a problem with it as it seems to be the easiest form of quilting blocks. Please am not trying to put anyone down but it really is a very simple process to follow the ditch. Course I have used many of your ideas with doing fancy stitches instead of the ditch and that has really come out beautiful (never thought to try that for whatever reason).