quiltsRfun

I spray baste, start in the center and work out, and usually only do stitch in the ditch around the borders. So far, no problems. I'm not a big fan of SITD and not too accurate when I do it. Would probably never finish a quilt if I had to stitch every seam.

Candace

I do SITD before FMQing if the FMQing is going to be micro quilting or very dense.

It's a great way to stabilize and not get puckers. If you don't like the "look" of the SITD or are unhappy because it's not perfect, then use the wash away thread in your bobbin. That way any SITD will come out when washed and you'll have no puckers and a completely stable quilt before starting to FMq. It's basically preference and as always there are no best methods or rules.

Tartan

If a quilt has blocks with sashing, I do SITD first along the sashing. It keeps the straight lines from getting distorted by FMQ.

carolaug

If I spray baste though wouldn't it be the same as using wash away thread?

carolaug

This is a really good idea! My quilt that I am going to be doing has sashing.

tessagin

That is a lot of work depending on the size of the quilt.

Jim's Gem

I spray baste all my quilts. I never do SITD unless it is part of my design. I just FMQ the quilt. I have never had it shift on me and rarely do I ever get a tuck in the back or anything like that. I also do not start in the center. I tend to start in the upper right hand corner of whatever size quilt I am working on. Including the 100 x 110 I FMQ'd last week on my domestic Bernina.

Candace

Stitching would be more stable. I don't care for spray basting at all. I've never had good results and have always gotten shifting of the top.

dunster

When someone says you should ALWAYS (or NEVER) do something I quit listening. If you think SITD would be a good design element, do it. If you think the quilt could benefit from the added stability before doing FMQ, then consider doing it with water soluble thread, as Candace said. I've also heard the "every stinking seam" rule for SITD, and I can't figure out what they're thinking. And...the last time I did SITD around all the blocks (although not for every stinking seam), I later regretted having so many lines that my FMQ feathers crossed over. I won't do that again without giving it more thought.

AnnieSue

Cindy Needham teaches the ESS theory (Every Stinkin' Seam) and she gets amazing results, but if that keeps you from enjoying the process, just do what you can to get results you're happy with. I don't do ESS, but I do spray baste and stabilize some seams.