Interesting post. Simple question many ideas.

Question. This is just the thread that will help, as I am contemplating a quilt using stitch in the ditch.

Do you all use regular thread when you quilt stitch in the ditch, or do you use invisible thread?

Hi, Maryann. Most time I use invisible thread on top, but use a complimenting or sometimes contrasting thread on backing side. I've had some of the invisible thread break on me, but I adjusted my tension and it usually goes very smoothly. I also have a SID foot for my Pfaff, which makes all the difference in the world.

I do stitch in the ditch, quite often, and then I sometimes add free motion on top, sometimes not. I would like to develop better skills at FM, so I am working at it, but I won't give up SID even then.

SID is not easy. It's actually hard to stay in the ditch (not that I do stay in it completely). It's very time consuming, but I like the effect of outlining the patches, making the individual fabric pieces pop up and pucker after washing. SID doesn't interfere with the pattern of the piecing.

I am finishing up the SID on a log cabin with 1" strips, so after this process the layers will be well stuck together. I haven't decided whether to FM on top - but if I do, nothing will be shifting around so FM will be smoother.

So that is why I SID. I think there will always be a solid place for SID in quilting. I think that you don't see it often on quilts done by longarmers, because it's hard and time consuming for them, and they don't have the same need to stabilize the fabric layers, not because it's unattractive.

So, SID'ers of the world, unite!

Can I add another question here? Do you stay exactly between the fabrics for SID or are you supposed to be on the low side?

Jenell, my SID foot allows me to stay right in the ditch. I would like to try that method (can't think of what it's called for the life of me!) where you stitch 1/4 away from ditch. It looks pretty.

My SID foot stitches just a stitch width to the right of the ditch, so I use a matching or invisible thread. However, in doing my last SID project (king sized quilt), I had some issues with the metal bar getting hung up where points met. Also, since it only allowed me to sew to the right of the ditch, I had problems with quilt bulk; I changed to a regular foot which allowed me to sew either right or left side of the "melons" that I was sewing around. My accuracy was as good as, if not better than when I used the SID foot.

I am so glad to hear from others that are struggling with fmq. I have been sewing/quilting for years and I fmq but am never really satisfied with the results. I'm better than I used to be so I guess it just takes a lot of practice. I almost always sid with monofilament on top and cotton in bobbin, and then fill in with fmq. I want to branch out to all over designs with decorative threads but don't ever want to sacrifice a quilt top to experiment.
Molly O

I like 'anchoring' with SID - especially in a quilt with sashing. Then I don't have to worry about layers shifting in either the blocks or the sashing when I do the 'fancy' stitching. John Flynn suggests 'anchoring' with water-soluble thread in EITHER bobbin or on top. That makes it easy to remove when the quilt is finished if you don't want it to be permanent. Yes, water-soluble thread IS expensive, but it's worth it if that's what you want to do. Klue's idea of SID basting is similar - AND less expensive!!

I started with SID but had a hard time with it. Then I moved my stitch line over a tiny fraction ~1/8th and discovered I prefer to have the stitches visible for a more quilty look. I guess you can call that "SID-Off the Mark". Then I tried just quilting down the quilt in a wave and people liked that. In general, quilting is hard for me with my hands, but on smaller projects like pillows, I do free motion, although I'm afraid I'm not really that good at it. It's a process.