flybreit

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!!!!!

wraez

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

MadQuilter

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).

judy o

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

joeyoz

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.

dljennings

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!

Gelswood

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?

aardvarq

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.

Magoo

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

patsyo56721

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