Zig-zag quilting
 

I'm wondering if anyone has used a zig-zag stitch when putting the quilt together instead of a straight stitch. I was planning on stitching in the ditch, but when I do that I can never seem to get it right in the ditch so thought I would do a zig-zag. Do you think this would work or is it a big nono? I've never seen it done before.

Try it. I think it should be fine. When I stitch in the ditch it isn't always perfect either but when the quilt is done, nobody is going to notice anyhow.

Nono for what. If it's for your please, sure go ahead. For competition, it's not advisable. So it really depends on what you intend to do with the quilt.

It's actually fairly common to use various stitches in place of the straight stitch. Use your walking foot for best results. This introductory video shows quilt samples with a wide variety of stitches. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf9LgT9IrBE

The quilting is meant to stabilize and keep all three layers together. Zig Zag stitches are used on knit clothing so they can have some give and not pop the stitches when they are stretched. Different results are achieved according to how wide the zig zags are and how much space between each tip. So not really knowing the answer, I decided to Google "Can a zig zag stitch be used to quilt a top and the backing of a quilt?" Try it. It would seem the answer is yes.

I say go for it!

I've often used any of the variety of stitches on my machine with great results! Go for it!

Yes, I've used it on several quilts as well as several other decorative stitches on my machine. I think it adds interest to the quilt. Try using variegated thread too for some fun and interesting quilting.

Yes, use any stitch you like!

A wide zigzag should be fine.

My vintage machine didn't have the option but my modern machine has the serpentine stitch Tartan mentioned. One of my friends does almost all her donation quilts with it, and somehow it works with each of them.

Here's my first attempt. I find it works very well for large grid patterns and will use again. The serpentine does a couple of stitches before moving over, the wide zig zag will be a slightly different look.

Edit: Do a test or two first looking at the thread color. You probably don't want it to look like a surgical scar! When in doubt, or with scraps, beige and grey threads can usually work without being too obvious.

I had attened my local quilt show last year and quite a few of the quilts displayed were quilted with a zig zag stitch. I think it added to the uniqueness (sp?).

I like to use a gentle serpentine stitch instead of a zig-zag. When I first started quilting, I used a zig-zag and when I washed the quilt, the ditch where the zig-zag was, was pretty visible as it had flattened out the area and I did not like the look.....if I had used a narrower zig-zag, made the stitches longer, and used a finer thread, it may have looked better.....I commonly use a serpentine stitch when I machine apply my bindings and I like that little scalloped look....

I say trial and error is the only way to see if you are happy with it. Just go for it!!

I use decorative stitches on some quilts I recently made a quilt using a foundation block at the decorative stitch was perfect for the quilting.

I like the serpentine stitch - but not all machines have it.

If the machine does not have the serpentine stitch, I think I would prefer a multi-step zigzag pattern to a one-step zigzag pattern.

I agree with the make a swatch, and try out various patterns.

I like to stitch in the ditch -

Another option would be to quilt next to the ditch using the edge of your walking foot as a guide. When I was hand quilting I sewed next to the ditch.

I made a crazy quilt and I used just about every decorative stitch my machine had in different color threads. I love the way it turned out. There are no rules when quilting. Do whatever is pleasing to your eyes.

I've used a tricot stitch that looks like a zig zag as bearisgray was describing. Comes out cute. On one of my machines (Janome mechanical), if you alter the stitch length and width, it turns into a scallop shape instead of a zig zag. Very attractive on kid quilts and such. Longer stitches like 3 or 3.5 look good. I use a walking foot.

I use the serpentine stitch a lot, especially for my donation quilts. One thought on a wide zigzag, the stich can turn out loose enough for small fingers to slide under. Maybe your machine has the zigzag that stitches a few times on the zig and a few on the zag.

About a year ago I made a jelly roll race lap quilt with a jelly roll that I purchased at Hobby Lobby. It was cut so unevenly that some of the seams were way smaller than 1/4" and I knew that there was a good chance they would come apart when the quilt was washed. I decided to just stitch down the long vertical seams with a wide zigzag stitch, and I was amazed at how good it looked!
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