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Quote:

Originally Posted by Prism99 (Post 5062891)

I have one of these feet, but I don't use it anymore because I'm too much of a perfectionist for SITD. What I am doing instead now is using a "serptentine" stitch, which is basically a wavy stitch to left and right. It goes right over the seam allowance but I no longer have to worry about deviations from the seam (they basically don't show up) plus I can sew faster this way.

What a great idea! I will have to try that next time I do SID as my S is practially never in the D LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuzzinBumble (Post 5067509)

Thanks QuiltE - I will do that! I've been meaning to take that drive for awhile anyway.

... or just phone them and ask!
Of course ... it's a good excuse to make it to the store to let some fabric follow you home!! :)

I started using a 'wobbly' stitch that is on the machine when I stitch in the ditch. Some stitches are on one side, some on the other. It looks like it is supposed to look like that, even though I would have preferred a nice straight stitch.

Anita in Northfield, MN

They are ok, but if you go slow and pull the sides apart as they go under the presser foot you can stay on track without one.

To all the quilters that are doing the serpentine stitch over the seam, I have a question. Are you dropping the feed dogs or just sewing serpentine over the seams? If so what stitch length? I apologize if your posts are clear to most, I'm easily confused :0)

Stitch in the ditch with decorative threads make it very pretty on the back side also. This is the only machine quilting I know how to do that I am happy with the outcome.

Quote:

Originally Posted by onaemtnest (Post 5067718)

The serpentine stitch is a type of stitch offered on a lot of the newer sewing machines. It is a wavy stitch, waving from side to side. It is not free-motion quilting, so you leave the feed dogs up. It would probably be classified as a type of decorative stitch.

On my Bernina 1230, the serpentine is stitch #3 on the main panel. It basically does 3 straight stitches towards one side, 2 smaller stitches forward, then 3 straight stitches towards the other side. This creates a wave pattern. Both stitch length and width of the wave are adjustable.

Older vintage machines may not have the serpentine stitch unless perhaps it is offered on a cam.

I don't use a walking foot with this stitch, although it might be possible. I just rummaged in my foot drawer and used a foot that has a zigzag opening but is closed in front. (Tried an open-toed embroidery foot first, but found that top fabric tended to bunch up in it.) This foot has a mark in the middle so I can more or less just aim to keep the seam at that mark. Small variations from the mark really do not matter at all, so I find I can sew quite fast with this stitch. Also, because there are more stitches per inch, this is actually more secure than straight SID.

if you get the foot, it also works well for applying bias binding to garments etc.

As I age I lean away from perfection...lol I don't SID very often. I now use the #4 stitch on my Bernina 440 - stitch length 2.50. It lays down a gentle wavy line that reaches over both sides of the seam. I get LOTS of compliments on the look, and I've saved myself the eye strain of TRYING to hit the "ditch" spot on.