GailG

I didn't realize how late it is, but I'll respond to this without reading all of the posts. When I did my first D9P, I didn't know how I would SID. The only other thing I can do on the domestic machine is cross-hatch. So someone advised me to take a long straight object (I used a narrow slat of wood bought at Lowe's.), place it corner to corner diagonally and mark it. I did that and then stitched along the marking. Then I proceeded to do the same for the other direction....place the slat of wood corner to corner and mark, then stitch along the marking. Next I started with one of the diagonally lines and used my 5" x 24" ruler and marked with that all the way parallel with the stitched diagonal line. I continued to do the same going all the way across. Then I did the same with the other diagonal line. This probably sounds so lame, but it came out very nice. I suppose you could use any width of ruler, depending on how far apart you want your stitching to be.

gspsplease

I'm still stalled on SID for my donation quilts (others I quilt by cheque book). I found SID much easier since I started using a walking foot -- my cheap little Brother Star just chugs along with the walking foot feeding perfectly, even if the ditch wanders. I also use quilting gloves now and find it takes a lot of strain off my hands while I am trying to hold the seams open to stitch in, so I would recommend you try the gloves. Mine are not fancy ones -- I bought them from a $2 shop somewhere sometime and would love to remember where it was!

conniescretions

Its hard to stay in the ditch but its ok if you cant make a straight line .It makes it an original.No one but you will notice!!

Campbell34

An old quilter gave me a hint about quilting lines on a quilt even if it is cross hatching or straight, can be used on the machine or by hand , Buy a roll of painters tape, it is blue and comes in two dfferent widths, I crosshatched a small quilt , you can do a row and then take the tape off and move it over another row, it stays soft on the quilt , does not leave marks and can be used over and over, it works real good. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

ratz29

There is a stitch in the dutch foot fot most machines. It has a piece in the center of the foot thst follows the seam. The problem with that is I use a walking foor when quilting.
Vicky

barbb baumgardner

After reading most of the responses from other quilters, I am relieved. Stich in the Ditch is not an exact science. I fretted over this when I first started quilting and no matter that dh said, "It is a quilt! Don't be hard on yourself!" But he is right and so is everyone who replied to be good to yourself.
:lol:

Cheshirecatquilter

When I had a little too much wine, I have meandered around the ditch (not sure they make an acronym for that - lol)[/quote]

Drunkard's Path???

Lilrain

Meme2six

I just finished a baby quilt made of pinwheels. I had read a tip on here to use a very small zigzag for SITD. That's what I did, but I've decided I'm simply not able to do this and have it look the way I want. The next time, I'll stitch next to the seam.

EmsMom

Thanks again everyone for all the help and for the laughs!!