CAS49OR

This blind hem foot can really help. See the little flange on the bottom? That rides in the seam and you adjust your needle to sew right beside it.
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CAS49OR

That is an excellent point! It's interesting to me I was so excited to learn to quilt I just did it and didn't question it. There's always more to learn.



I wonder what the purpose is, of sewing directly on the stitching line of a pressed open seam in garment sewing? I don't see that you'd be engaging any fabric with the thread, but just sewing over thread.[/QUOTE]

jeanharville

Stitch-in-the-ditch is a term that should have a definition, but I can't find it in Burda's sewing terms defined. However, the videos and tutorials I found showed it to be stitching into the seam just like you would with a stitch in the ditch foot. So at least there seems to be a common understanding that's like you all understand it.

QuiltingVagabond

I agree with Lori S that in garment sewing, you were to sew in the seamline. So when I began quilting I assumed the term meant the same thing. I will have to try the "low side" thing!

MadQuilter

I actually pull the seam apart just slightly and sew on the "low" side. Then when I release the seam, the stitch is dang near buried "in the ditch."

zozee

I was taught to sew on the seam. The teacher called it the ditch. However, I prefer to sew about 1/8" away from the seam.

Aurora

Way back in the dark ages (1970's) stitching in the ditch was stitching where the seams were stitched together. The object was to conceal the stitching or to make it less visible.

Zinda

Some really good discussion on this topic and interesting thoughts.

cindi

And weakening the seam, as you'd be sewing directly on (and through) the threads that hold the seam together.

Jan in FL

I had no idea. I never gave it a thought as I was TAUGHT at my LQS and was told to "keep the stitch in the seam or as close to the seam as possible" (that LQS is now out of business)