when you stitch in the ditch hand quilting, does that mean you quilt within the seam or outside the seam? Different people tell me different ways.

I stitch just to the right of the seam.

would it weaken the seam if I stitched there instead of inside the seam?

Stitch as close the the seam as possible (usually on the side with the least bulk). When you stitch 1/4 inch away from the seam it becomes shadow or outline stitching. This is allows your stitching to show more and can be quite effective.

I stitch right in the seamline on wall hangings or doll quilts if I want to hide the stitches.

If I want to strengthen the seams, I use a very narrow zig zag stitch and catch both sides of the seams. Nancy Zieman calls this a wobble stitch :wink:

Hand quilters usually only stitch just to the side without the seam, to avoid the extra thickness of the seams.

If your machine can handle it, you can stitch on the bulkier side of the seam line.

Stitching truly in the center of the seam, does not help to strengthen the quilt, as you are stitching on just the thread from the seams, not the fabric itself :D:D:D

this makes sense. i could never understand stitching exactly in the ditch

Stitch in the Ditch, sounds simple doesn't it? NOT! You can literally stich on the line of stitches between the patches or stitch slightly to one side. I perfer to use the #4 stitch on my Bernina that curves from side to side. It is easier to sew and looks more decorative in my opinion. You just aim for the middle between the patches and the machine does the work.

it is up to you= you get different answers because different people do it differently. some stitch right on the seam or as close as they possibly can- others stitch 1/8" from the seam...and some 1/4" but still consider it sid...
if you run right along beside the seam it will reinforce it's strength. sometimes the decision is made by how difficult it is to stitch do what works for you and gives you the look you like...there is no right or wrong-just different opinions

I use a twin needle with the 1/8" gap or whatever I have. I don't put thread in the needle going into the seam. My stitch line is always evenly spaced doing it this way. I haven't done a large quilt this way but the small sizes do great with the twin needle.

Great tip, I'll give it a try