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!