Is there a super secret method of using stitch in the ditch and not have it look like I dozed off and ran off the road? Appreciate any thoughts.

No super secret that I know of but here are a few hints

There is a special foot for SID for some machines. It has a metal guide that runs in front of the foot that sits in the ditch so your needle will go in the ditch.

If you don't have the SID foot try slowing down a bit. I find that if I spread the fabric as much as I can with my hands before it goes under the needle as I the quilt feeds under the walking foot that seems to help keep my stitches in the ditch.

I have done many where I purposely stitched right next to the ditch, like 1/8" or less and used the seam as my guide.

I might try the 1/8 method. I like the look of an outline. Thanks, all the suggestions are good.

My method for not making it look like I fell asleep and ran off the road... Meander... tee hee I don't SID anymore. It just frustrates me.

I like to use a "wavy" stitch or something, then if you are off a little, no one will notice

Same here. Either meandering or wavy stitch. I just can't get the hang of stitch in the ditch. Maybe I need to get that foot. It might help.

I had been wondering about SID as well, so much to learn about! Being a beginner quilter my first hand quilting stiches were not that good but I carried on and by the end of the QS quilt I had improved a lot. I can live with a few uneven stiches, when my quilt is on the bed it looks ok over all! I must put a pic up of my first quilt, and thankyou for the info on SID as I am about to try! Gal

I find that if I am really careful about pressing seams to one side and starching the top before I sandwich it, that I get a good ridge formed along the seam line is it is easier to stay in the ditch.

It's when I get lazy about pressing that I have trouble finding and staying in the ditch.

it's like everything else, practise helps along with accepting less than perfect while we learn.

Thankyou I never thought that far back into the process would have lasting effects but of course it must, thanks for the good advise.

Gal

Glad this was asked because I tend to run off too!

My theory is if it can't be seen on a galloping horse from forty feet it is ok. That goes for SID, getting corners to always match and perfect points. Just enjoy the process and the fabrics. Don't get upset if all is not perfect. You will enjoy it all the more. Strive for your best but don't sweat the small stuff.

From what I've read, using a SID foot with the metal guide running precisely along the stitching line puts the stitching just to the right of the seamline, which is correct. According to SID info., if you stitch exactly on your stitches, it weakens the seamline stitching; therefore the stitches SHOULD be just to the right of the seam. My SID foot works that way. (IMO, without a SID foot/metal guide, it would be virtually impossible to stitch a straight line next to the seamline.) If you have the SID foot and still sew crookedly, one thing you need to be careful about is sewing over "lumps" where two seams meet. Those lumps can cause your guide and stitching to go wonky. Also, when using the SID foot, the narrowest zigzag stitch works well.

I have found that using a walking foot works best for me for SID. Also sssllloooowwwwww dddoooowwwwnnnnn. I always think there is a race going on and I have to be first. I learned to slow down a lot when SID.

I have tried the SID foot, all it did was get hung up on the thread in the ditch.

I go for the 1/8" next to the seam..I also like to echo quilt when the pattern is appropriate for it, that way I can use my 1/4" foot as well....

I orderd a SID foot and hope to get it soon. I am lousy at FMQ. Is meandering different from FMQ?

It really helps when the seams all lay to one side or the other. When the seams flip from block to block, the foot has a tendency to jump the ditch (so-to-speak).
It also helps to make sure that your sandwich is pretty taught. That helps control the sides with your hands.
I roll my quilt into a tube and guide it through the throat. Sometimes, it gets very heavy and is hard to control. Sometimes, the sheer weight of it pulls the sewing piece out of whack. Take rests.
Lastly, go slow.

Thank you one and all for your suggestions. You've given me wonderful information :D

Meandering is FMQ. So is stippling (smaller loops, etc., than meandering ... much more dense stitching) and, in fact, any design that you create while your machine feed dogs are down and you are guiding the machine while it stitches is FMQ. Flowers, leaves, feathers ... all take practice but can be done free motion. I can do meandering and stippling and simple leaves & vines o.k., but if I try to FMQ anything very complex, it looks like I'm high on drugs and/or booze ... it is quite frightening looking and not at all attractive.

I forogt to tell you that I don't relly SID - I MAD (meander around the ditch) lol. If I have more than one glass of wine, it is FID (fall in ditch).

Here's my secret. I don't do SITD anymore. That's how I solved the running-all-over-the-place problem with it! It's just too fussy a technique for me, especially since I get too perfectionistic about it.

I finally figured out that stitching IN the ditch was actually stitching BESIDE the ditch, but I can't figure out which foot is best to use. Seems like the walking foot would be best since I am stitching several layers and sure don't want that backing to pucker. But the SID foot has that nifty little thing that spreads that seam open. Does anybody sell a Walking SID foot?

You are so funny. :lol: :lol: :lol:

sorry cant help.

You are too funny! I always look forward to seeing your avatar in a thread. I need to come hang out with you!

this way does look great.

I recently read on a web site and viewed a tutorial somewhere that someone on this board shared with us that
1. press those seams in one direction.
2. use a stitch in the ditch foot (my paff comes with a built in walking feature that works with my stich in the ditch foot and makes it so nice)
3. practice, practice, practice.

I'm just learning to machine quilt and my recent butterfly quilt which was shared on this group is machine stitch in the ditch with hand quilted detail butterflies. My first row of stitching wasn't great but dramatically improved as I went and I am getting more comfortable with it. If you can get a stitch in the ditch foot, I highly recommend them. I did't know there was such a thing until I joined a quilt chapter here. (self taught) Good luck.

What machines do you guys do all this SID on?

I have a HuskyStar and since I am selling my longarm I will be using it when I am not hand quilting.

Thinking about getting a Grace frame later on.

It's patent time!

I use an open toe foot to SID. It helps to see where I'm going.

Boy you all make me feel good. I thought I was the only one who had trouble with SID. I too have tried a stitch about 1/8 in. away from the ditch and have much better luck. Thanks all for your info.

If your machine has an adjustable needle and you don't want to invest in a SID foot, you can 'click' the needle just to the left and then line up the center of your foot (assuming there is a mark) with your seam and just concentrate on keeping your seam lined up.

I also use this to get a scant 1/4" seam when piecing (because I like my open toe foot best) - couple of clicks to the right, line my fabric up with the outside edge of the foot and voila - a perfect (well, as perfect as I can get) seam. I like easy!!!!!

I've seen a number of quilts that use an easy decorative stitch instead of SITD (even a variety of stitches). Something that won't use up too much thread but still look lovely on the quilt.

warm quilt hugs, sue in CA

Yeah, that's me - comic relief. As long as I remember that this is a family show, I guess I get to stay. My humor has a natural tendency to go straight to the gutter (which might be OK in a thread about ditches).

NO NO NO NO wavy lines!!!!! You know what "they" say Practice practice practicEE

I was also told to stay to the low side. The opposite side from where the fabric is ironed. I hope that made sense.. I also use Machinger gloves. I didn't think it would make that big a difference but it does. They help you easily grip and gingerly spread the seam apart so you can sew in the ditch. I've tried a lot of the other gloves, but the Machingers work the best.

i love that meander idea...i tried sid with my first grandbaby's quilt & decided that the leaf stitch on my machine was much better!

Thanks to this forum I recently used SID with my foot that I only used to making a blind hem. It works great!! Is that the SID foot everyone is talking about?

I am better at SID than I was. Ain't no good, but better.

My SID quilt work looks better than my other styles of FMQ.

My suggestions are the same as most everyone who commented.

Summary:

-Whichever technique, slow way down until you get good(er) at it.
-Use Machinger-gloves, some kind of finger cots (pet hair removal gloves are great!) to help take some stress off your hands and fingers.
-Spread the fabric from side-to-side a bit while moving it under the needle but don't stretch your fabric out of shape.
-Don't stretch your fingers open to much, so your hands don't cramp! Spread left hand from right hand.
-I use the SID foot for my Viking and I sometimes use the walking foot to SID, depends on the quilt sandwich.
-Stitch on the side of the seam, just a thread or two away from the seam-thread . . . if you can, if not . . . don't sweat it.

The last comment is not suitable for every quilt-temperament, it may drive you to drink your way into the other ditch with Madquilter and myself!

Use a Bigger needle with a Bigger eye if you can, but make sure it is sharp.
-This will move the needle tip off of the seam-thread.
-Watch the side of the needle and not the actual tip.
-Try to brush the needle against the fold of the high-side fabric without catching the tip of the needle in the side of the folded fabric. This acts as a distance-from-seam-thread measure.

Yes, if you change hand-spread-tension, you will change distance from seam thread and your SID will look like it has wandered a tiny bit.

Told you, this idea may not be to everyone's liking, but helps me get a better SID without freaking out about precision.

This is called for hearty laugh. Thanks for the humor.

If you have decorative stitches on your machine you could use one of them.