Watson

I have to ditch my NY Beauty...every stinking seam.

Has anyone used the "ditching foot" and is it worthwhile?

I'm also wondering if this is going to be nigh on impossible to do with a foot as I will have to turn the entire quilt constantly...Does anyone ditch FMQ? I've tried it a bit and it seems OK so maybe this is the way to go?

Watson

Boston1954

Oh my, you scared me. When you said ditching, I thought you were throwing it away.

dunster

I ditch on my longarm with a ruler and it's still hard to stay in the ditch all the time. I highly recommend Superior's new MicroQuilter thread. It's 100 wt, so it really snugs down into the ditch. I have heard of quilters who free motion when ditching on a DSM, because of all the turning required otherwise. But I'm curious why you "have" to ditch ESS?

bearisgray

Does your machine have either the Pfaff IDT or a walking foot?

Could you make a "sample" to practice with? I am wondering if you could do some reverse stitching here and there to get from point A to point B instead of turning the whole piece completely around?

I "discovered" that when I was trying to sew on some 1/2 inch squares of velcro - then I would only have to make a 1/4 turn and that was less painful than trying to make a 1/2 turn.

You could also make a drawing (or take a picture) of your project and draw lines on that to plan ahead your "route" while quilting it - if you could tolerate crossings or occasional overlaps, that might also make it easier?

Tartan

I almost ditched around my Cats blocks with my straight edge ruler and ruler foot on my Bernina. I say "almost" because I had a few spots where the stitching was out of the ditch but because the thread matched the background, they blend in, I would say go with FMQ with your ruler and ruler foot but maybe use the new invisible thread from Superior so it won't show if your needle jumps the ditch.

Faintly Artistic

Why do you "have" to? I never SITD.

QuiltnNan

when SITD, I do best with my open toe foot and strong glasses

francie yuhas

I free motion in the ditch frequently....mine are not show quilts,however.

Watson

I say "have" to, because it will look the best in the end. And, I've put enough work into this, I might as well do it right at this point, I figure.

I will try with the ruler foot and ruler on a sample, but I don't think my seams are that straight. I'll give it a try, though.

Watson

MadQuilter

Me too and I use my regular DSM. The nice thing is that you can just adjust the ruler and you don't have to turn the quilt. Either matching thread or monofilament works well to hide the imperfections. I also tend to go a bit slower with the rulers so I do hit that ditch.