grammy of 6

I have not done machine quilting before, only hand quilting. I want to machine quilt, stitch in the ditch, and am not at all confident that I can do it. It is for my DGS, and is smaller than a twin. Can anyone give me some tips?
Thanks.

QuiltE

Like most things ... practice, practice, practice!
Perhaps make a place mat or two or some mug rugs to practice on? Or even just sew some scraps together and sandwich. For practicality, I like to make something though, instead of just sewing scraps that I intend to toss.


For me the SITD foot made a huge difference in staying in the ditch!
Also, go with a finer thread, as any mis-stitching is less noticeable.

If you don't feel good about SITD, what about stitching 1/4" (or less) from the seam line?

Tartan

Choose a stitching pattern like straight rows down or across the quilt to stabilize the layers. If that works well, rotate the quilt and stitch rows the opposite way. It is best not to have to change directions when SITD as you have to rotate the quilt sandwich. Try a test sandwich to see how big your stitch length needs to be set at the get a nice stitch through the sandwich. A walking foot or dual feed on your machine will help move the sandwich.
How are you going to bast the layers before quilting? Pins should go every 4 - 6 inches, or you can 505 spray bast or thread basting or.....

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

For me, SID is the hardest thing to do. That ditch is hard for me to stay in. I do better with things like cross hatching or echoing. I agree with the suggestion to test drive your skill on a placemat or a hot pad.

Also remember we are our own worse critics. Give it a go and it will be loved.

Peckish

I agree, I find SID to be the hardest. Maybe it's because I'm so dang particular and just HAD to make sure the stitching landed perfectly in the ditch. I switched to quilting about a quarter inch out from the seams and felt much more relaxed. On certain quilts, such as 9-patches, sometimes I'll quilt straight lines running diagonally through the patches.

grammy of 6

Thanks for all your suggestions and encouragement! The quilt is "Warm Wishes". I will have to turn it often. Do you have any other ideas?

Eva Knight

For smaller quilts, I take a ruler to get a 45 degree angle. Any angle will work, I just like the 45. Then I use masking tape to make a straight line across the quilt. Then I decide how far apart I want the quilting to be, and go from there. I don't like a quilting foot, but I have the little bar that goes on the regular foot that I use for my spacing. I go in one direction all the way and then do the same thing again in the other direction, making a square of sort. If you have the wavey stitch on your machine, it makes it reall pretty. No one will know it the stitching lines are off. Good luck.

nativetexan

if you have one, use a walking foot. it does help. and sometimes STID is at best 1/4 or less from the seam. not in it. perhaps you could try place mats first for practice? and not too small of a stitch length makes your foot move easier if you do not use a walking foot.

grammy of 6

I have a walking foot, but never used it. I think I better learn real quick because the back og the quilt is Minky!

IQ2

Also I strongly suggest quilting gloves. They give you traction when moving the quilt and make it much easer to move it. I use "Machingers", but I've read that the gardening gloves with the rubber dots on the palms and fingertips work well also.
Also, keep your hands spread open on either side of the line you're stitching to keep the piece taut as you stitch.