stitching in the ditch
 

is it always necessary to do this before fmq?I am planning an all over stiple/meandering the quit is spray basted...........thanks

No, it's not necessary. Usually with an all over pattern, I don't SITD

No. SID is usually done to stabilize a quilt (or highlight certain areas) when you are going to do custom quilting (setting different designs in different areas).

Andi

I stitch about a 1/4" to the side of the seam, if and when I do straight line stitching.
I mostly do a large stipple. It uses lots of thread but much easier and faster in the long run.

No, I never SITD unless it's an intended part of the quilting. The only place I always use it between the quilt and the border, but that's after the FMQ on the body of the quilt is done.

well I use basting spray or fusible batting so no, I don't need to do it because my fabric isn't going to move on me.

I SITD if I'm doing micro FMQ or intricate quilting. It does help prevent shifting and puckers. I don't do it if the quilting is a large, all over pattern. It really just depends...

I very, very seldom stitch in the ditch...I do many meandering free motion designs- seldom do I have the need to do stitch in the ditch- sometimes a quilt needs it- but often it does not== stitch in the ditch is a choice- not a necessity.

I usually stitch in the ditch between the sashing and the blocks and in the border just to stabilize the quilt. Since I quilt on my Bernina, I usually don't do all over patterns. To hard to mark !!

I don't always, but I do find that it improves the look of some designs. And there are some times when you do need the stabilizing before FMQ. If you don't want those lines in your finished quilting, you can always use water soluble thread for the SID grid, then you can stitch over it with your permanent thread without worries of it looking bad on the back.

I meander stitch so I don't have to stitch in the ditch. But then I am addicted to using Elmers for basting. Quilts don't move with Elmers.

I hate stitching in the ditch because then no one can see all my hard work!! If I'm gonna do it, I want it to show!:D

Jan in VA

I so not think it is nescessary, it is up to you.

I don't like to SITD rarely ever do it. Mine is never straight like it should be, so avoid doing it.

Ditto. When I plan to do intricate quilting, SITD really helps the quilt maintain it's "square", but for a large meander, I don't do SITD.

I rarely stitch in the ditch. Mostly because I can't stay in the ditch. If it is spray basted I don't think you need to.

I stitch in the ditch only when it is The quilting, or if I am going to quilt a smaller motif inside each block. I never stitch in the ditch and do an all over design.

There was a discussion awhile back, but I came away very confused. Are you supposed to be ON the actual seam or next to it? It could cut the threads?

thanks,
Charlotte, who needs to do this soon

I love stitch in the ditch. If i can quilt with only that I do it. The way I've found that works best is to be almost on the seam. More like on the seam but just slightly toward which ever fabric more closely matches the thread you are using.

Thanks so much, Zyngawf. I'll try it with the walking foot, as my FMQ is awful.

Hugs, Charlotte