STID..what stitch do you use?

When stitching in the ditch..does anyone use a stitch other than straight? I am sick of STID and making me crossed trying to ge tit in the ditch just right etc. I do okay, but my eyes really feel it. I just did some placemats where I used a large deco stitch over the seam and that looked great, although I don't think it would on a quilt. So I was just wondering...anyone use a deco stitch to just go over the ditch, if so..what kind? Or..do you maybe not recommend this theory or is there a reason not to do it? Any comments at all are appreciated!

It seems to me that someone posted a picture recently of a wavy stitch they used for stitch in the ditch. It just criss crossed the ditch in a curved line and looked pretty.

I use a wavy stitch-called serpintine on my machine. I like the way it looks. I do a test on scrap, altering length/width until I get the look i want. If you do waiver a bit on the seam it is not as noticable.

Sounds like my kind of stitch since I can't seem to stay in the ditch.

I used every decorative stitch on every seam on my crazy quilt (photos in my album) and i love the way it looks!

Most of the time I use a zigzag stitch over the ditch and this works and adds a little to the quilt....especially if I use a variegated thread that matches the colors in the quilt...works great for me......alot of the deco stitches will work...hope this helps

Also I feel your pain...am doing stitch in the ditch on a quilt now...thank goodness it is for me...a mystery quilt I did at the end of last year.....it is taking me about 45 minutes per block and we are talking a 12" block so I feel your pain

I do the same thing!! Always do the test drive thing before committing to the quilt. I used this on my tumbler quilt..

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Originally Posted by bakermom

I use a wavy stitch-called serpintine on my machine. I like the way it looks. I do a test on scrap, altering length/width until I get the look i want. If you do waiver a bit on the seam it is not as noticable.

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I have used decorative stitches and like it. That stitch in the ditch is hard on the eyes and if you don't quite get it in the ditch it shows. I will usually stitch 1/4 inch around my seams. here is a table runner that I tried different stitches on..I liked the way it turned out. The stitch Im talking about runs along the bottom of the pic

I plan on using the invisible thread... This will be my first shot with that... Wish me luck!

I also use a serpentine type stitch and go right down the center of the seam. It's basically an elongated zig zag stitch, just play with the width and length. It looks nice and you just have aim for the seam. Also, if you have a Bernina, they have an attachment for the walking foot which has a bar that sits right in the seam for easy stitch in the ditch sewing.

Do you have a walking foot..I find that helps me as well as telling myself over and over again as I'm sewing.. "look where you're going and not where ya been" (I read that somewhere)....lol...it really works...

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Originally Posted by Patrice

I have used decorative stitches and like it. That stitch in the ditch is hard on the eyes and if you don't quite get it in the ditch it shows. I will usually stitch 1/4 inch around my seams. here is a table runner that I tried different stitches on..I liked the way it turned out. The stitch Im talking about runs along the bottom of the pic

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Patrice,
I love the flowers you quilted - how did you sew them so perfectly? Theres no way I could ever machine quilt so perfectly. Beautiful work!

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Originally Posted by lana

Patrice,
I love the flowers you quilted - how did you sew them so perfectly? Theres no way I could ever machine quilt so perfectly. Beautiful work!

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I couldn't do that either. that is my embroidery machine

since i have not attempted a sitd yet you have given me some good pointers!

I have heard not to use the invisible thread on baby quilts, so not sure if this is for a baby or just a family quilt.

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Originally Posted by Illine Smith

I plan on using the invisible thread... This will be my first shot with that... Wish me luck!

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I have used a twin ( double ) needle (one shank two needles attached) and stitched with the ditch in the center and the stitching is on both sides so if it wavers it is not noticeable.. worked for me.. and looked good too. :)
The needles come in different widths between the needles and I think I used 6.0/100 or 4.0/100 it depends on the look you want.. also instead of stitching in the ditch you can just stipple or meander the whole quilt .
Good luck and have fun..
Judi

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Originally Posted by jcander

I have used a twin ( double ) needle (one shank two needles attached) and stitched with the ditch in the center and the stitching is on both sides so if it wavers it is not noticeable.. worked for me.. and looked good too. :)
The needles come in different widths between the needles and I think I used 6.0/100 or 4.0/100 it depends on the look you want.. also instead of stitching in the ditch you can just stipple or meander the whole quilt .
Good luck and have fun..
Judi

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Hadn't thought about double needles. Might try that, and it might be a great look to stipple with a double...gotta try that too! Thanks for the suggestion!

Patrice-
I love the way that looks. I've been trying decorative stitches this time too....what type of thread did you use? I tried it with wool, which looks nice, but although the color was great on the front, it wasn't on the back.
Syndi

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Originally Posted by Syndi

Patrice-
I love the way that looks. I've been trying decorative stitches this time too....what type of thread did you use? I tried it with wool, which looks nice, but although the color was great on the front, it wasn't on the back.
Syndi

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I used 100 percent cotton

If you look in my album you will see I also use all kinds of decorative stitch there is no rule says u have to use a straight stitch use your immagination and have fun

I just switched from my Viking, which I love, to trying out my embroidery machine ( Babylock) with a ton more stitches. I like the serpentine. I'll have to look to see if I have that.

I've used the serpentine stitch also. The one thing I found is that when I get to a thick spot, it slows down the machine's forward progress, then the wavy stitches aren't even, some are long and others are short. That's why I've stayed away from doing this.

I like using a feather stitch for SID. Any of your deco stitches will look good. Try them all out on scrap and see what you like.

I do my binding by machine and use invisible tread in the bottom, while you can still see the stitching there is no color to distract from the appearance.

It really depends on what the project is I'm working on. I use straight stitch when I am doing something "elegant" and I will use different decorative stitches on other projects.

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Originally Posted by brittyboo07

since i have not attempted a sitd yet you have given me some good pointers!

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brittyboo!!!!!! Yippy!!!!

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Originally Posted by bkthomas

brittyboo!!!!!! Yippy!!!!

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Haven't seen her on here for a long time...that post was in 2012. I think about her sometimes and wonder what she's doing now.

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Originally Posted by buckeyequilter

Haven't seen her on here for a long time...that post was in 2012. I think about her sometimes and wonder what she's doing now.

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Am just realizing this!!!! Hers and a few others are from 2012!!!!!

Al!!!!!!!

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Originally Posted by brittyboo07

since i have not attempted a sitd yet you have given me some good pointers!

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Hehe, brittyboo a year ago. She doesn't love us anymore :(

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Originally Posted by jcander

I have used a twin ( double ) needle (one shank two needles attached) and stitched with the ditch in the center and the stitching is on both sides so if it wavers it is not noticeable.. worked for me.. and looked good too. :)
The needles come in different widths between the needles and I think I used 6.0/100 or 4.0/100 it depends on the look you want.. also instead of stitching in the ditch you can just stipple or meander the whole quilt .
Good luck and have fun..
Judi

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AHA! So thet's how it's done! I need to get one these!

Both my main machines have double needles and I have never tried it! I have the perfect project for them:)

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Originally Posted by qtrnch

I also use a serpentine type stitch and go right down the center of the seam. It's basically an elongated zig zag stitch, just play with the width and length. It looks nice and you just have aim for the seam. Also, if you have a Bernina, they have an attachment for the walking foot which has a bar that sits right in the seam for easy stitch in the ditch sewing.

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You can also use an edge foot I believe.

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Originally Posted by AlohaSandy

If you look in my album you will see I also use all kinds of decorative stitch there is no rule says u have to use a straight stitch use your immagination and have fun

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I so never considered this!! Thanks all you informative helpful quilting wonders!!

Mary
SW Missouri

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Originally Posted by brittyboo07

since i have not attempted a sitd yet you have given me some good pointers!

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Welcome home Britt! We've missed you!!!

Not wanting to sound "quilt-policey" but the whole idea about IN THE DITCH is that you use a straight stitch in the seam so the stitch itself disappears. Anything else is an SID quilting variation and I personally like them a lot. My last rug mug got a lovely serpentine stitch. (Before then, I would use straight stitch with a few glasses of wine and I ended up with a serpentine stitch lol.) I also like top-stitching on the high side. It's your quilt. Do what makes you happy.