mpepperm37

If you do a mix of SID and FMQ (obviously a FMQ novice here), which is best done first? It seems to me that SID stabilizes the area, but afraid that might lead to "lumps and bumps" in the area quilted. I would appreciate suggestions.
Thanks!

Trisher

I stitch in the ditch first. I feel that it stabilizes the quilt. I do not quilt ESS (every stinking seam ) but I do most of them!. I then do an all over FMQ like meandering, or I go to town with motifs!

No lumps and bumps to date!

mpepperm37

Thanks, Trisher.

rryder

If I’m doing a quilting design that is not all over, sometimes I ditch each square as I get to it, but before the regular Fmq, so I’m doing both at the same time. I find I do a much better job of staying in the ditch if I do it FMQ rather than using a regular or even stitch in the ditch foot.

Rob

Sewnoma

It CAN happen that you'll get lumps and bumps and little puckers - usually when that happens to me I assume it means I didn't have things properly flattened out when I basted.

You don't need to do SITD with FMQ at all - it's optional, especially if you've basted thoroughly. I skip it if I'm doing an all-over FMQ pattern. I really only use the two together if I'm trying to accent some of the piecing lines, or if my FMQ is done like a medallion in the middle of an open block, then I'll SITD around things like that. Normally my FMQ stitches won't cross or touch my SITD stitches, except in small spots, to move from space to space.

Tartan

I will SITD sashing from the center of the quilt out to the edge. Be extra careful where lines cross over as that is where you can get pleats. If I am doing an all over meander, I do not SITD . If you are a beginner and you SITD the sashing, choose a design for inside the block that is central and does not go right up to the SITD. That way if you have a little extra material in the block you won't get pleats where it is against the SITD.

newbee3

I never stitch in the ditch

mpepperm37

Thanks! I appreciate all of the comments and rationale. Since my FMQ is a new effort, and not very good at that, I thought I might SID, then do small areas of FMQ to work on that skill set.