I only stitch in the ditch... any other suggestions

[Mams1017]

HI!

I am somewhat new at quilting (about 2 years) and all I ever do to quilt my pieces is stitch in the ditch. I would like to go out of my comfort zone and try other ways of quilting out. I have a regular Singer maching and I am not sure I can move the quilt around enough to make the nice free form designs of quilting. Would I need different feet for the machine?

Lots of questions!
THANKS FOR THE SUGGESTIONS!
Missy

[quiltnut]

Re: I only stitch in the ditch... any other suggestions

You will need a free motion foot for quilting patterns or doodleling stitches,look on UTube for ideas on what its like.You can make all sorts of different free hand motions with the free motion foot.I like to do pattern like a jig saw type.Depending on how old your machine is,you can to buy a free motion foot accessory.

[Dragonfly]

Re: I only stitch in the ditch... any other suggestions

In addition to a free motion foot you need to be able to lower or cover you feed dogs.

There really is a huge amount of info available on youtube for free motion quilting have fun but remember it will not be perfect the first time you try (unless you are very lucky) so it is all about practice practice until you are comfortable with moving around with the quilt.

[debinmalaga]

Re: I only stitch in the ditch... any other suggestions

Dragonfly is right on about practice practice. I also found it helpful to wear gardening gloves when I'm free motion quilting - makes it much easier to move the fabric around. There are also special gloves you can buy.

[Patrice]

Re: I only stitch in the ditch... any other suggestions

If you have only stitched in the ditch you could even try some other stitches with your walking foot for something different. If you have some decorative stitches on your machine try some of those. You could also try I think it is called cross hatching where you end up with one in blocks everywhere at an angle. lots of things you could do with your walking foot if you are not ready for the free motion. I do okay with it on something very small but put it on a big quilt and I just don't do that well.

[shell.scraps]

Re: I only stitch in the ditch... any other suggestions

I think that straight line quilting (out of the ditch) is wonderful!! You can do diamonds, squares, simple lines, varied distance rows....so many options and you never have to free motion a thing!! You only need a walking foot and a well pinned quilt sandwich!

[patticakes]

Re: I only stitch in the ditch... any other suggestions

I agree with everyone on the straight line quilting, you can shadow and crosshatch. I use a darning foot to free motion and there is certainly a learning curve! I have watched alot of YouTube and read whatever hints I could find on quilting boards about stitch length and the speed of the sewing machine, but I have been just playing around with doing free motion on table runners and place mats. Just doing a kind of loop-de-loop so I could get the feel of it. It is starting to get better. I dream of the day I can make it look as easy as some do!
Good luck!
Patti

[shell.scraps]

Re: I only stitch in the ditch... any other suggestions

yes you can free motion with the darning foot...pretty well I might add since that's what I use

You should make some 18x18 sandwiches and just practice....practice...practice!! Make sure you are placing your hands right and are able to get a nice fluid movement on your fabric without letting the back layer get stuck and pucker...it's going to take a while to get used to it...

[jrchapman]

Re: I only stitch in the ditch... any other suggestions

I've only attempted straight line stitching on my machine so far but I've found you can get some interesting patterns and effects if you stitch either side of your seam rather than in it. It's also easier because it doesn't show as much if you go a bit wibbly!

I have bought a free motion foot but I haven't had the time to practice with it yet so I'm sticking with the straight lines.

[plix]

Re: I only stitch in the ditch... any other suggestions

I'm new at free motion too. A good way to practice is making dog & cat beds for the Humane Society. They love getting them, & the animals don't care if they aren't perfect. The size is perfect for practicing: bigger than a placemat, & smaller than a real quilt. And I can use lotsa scrap fabric.
Just don't give up. Keep trying. I have also drawn designs on paper, put an old needle in my machine & stitched on the lines with no thread. Kinda addicting if you're not careful.
Have fun

[debinmalaga]

Re: I only stitch in the ditch... any other suggestions

Plix, what a WONDERFUL suggestion about the Humane society!