I Thought Stitch in the Ditch meant in the Seam
03-28-2015, 07:38 AM
#42
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Colorado
Posts: 2,254
When I first encountered SID I thought they meant right on the seam too, but now I sew just a tad to the left. "Tad" is a sewing term just like a "scant" 1/4 inch. When I read the definition of "scant" I thought they had to be kidding. One thread off a 1/4 inch? Please don't give up on FMQ, you will find that you will love it after doing it for awhile. I, too, was disappointed in my first attempts; but kept on practicing and now I love it. You can do amazing things in the negative space with FMQ and for the open areas on a block you can make amazing contributions to set off the block.
03-28-2015, 08:04 AM
#43
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 811
I think stitch in the ditch comes from hand quilting. It is easier to quilt on the side with the lesser bulk. Now with machine quilting it does not matter because the machine has enough power to go through the bulk. I do not stitch in the seam because I feel it is less strong there. I stich next to the seam, but you can do what you want, that is the beauty of making quilt, you can do it your way. There are no rules, just guidelines, feel free to bend break or follow them as you wish.
03-28-2015, 08:47 AM
#44
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,667
I must have that stitch on my machine but I'm not sure which it is. I remember previous conversations about it. What does it look like on your machine?
03-28-2015, 08:50 AM
#45
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Join Date: Mar 2011
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I'm having a lot of tension problems but I need to take my new machine in to see if the tension adjustment even works on it. I think it will be fun too -- if I stick with it!
When I first encountered SID I thought they meant right on the seam too, but now I sew just a tad to the left. "Tad" is a sewing term just like a "scant" 1/4 inch. When I read the definition of "scant" I thought they had to be kidding. One thread off a 1/4 inch? Please don't give up on FMQ, you will find that you will love it after doing it for awhile. I, too, was disappointed in my first attempts; but kept on practicing and now I love it. You can do amazing things in the negative space with FMQ and for the open areas on a block you can make amazing contributions to set off the block.
03-28-2015, 09:04 AM
#46
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Reno, Nv
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I think that form should follow function in my own opinion. Why not stitch on the side with the seams? Other than the fact that there is a lot more fabric to deal with, it would almost encase the raw edges, tack down the bulk and also give a security seam to keep the quilt in tack if there was a popped piecing seam.
But, it is so true that it is the maker's choice what she does with her quilt. I love creative choice.
Last edited by RedGarnet222; 03-28-2015 at 09:14 AM.
03-28-2015, 09:39 AM
#47
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Join Date: Mar 2011
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My cording foot looks totally different. I don't know why my pictures are so huge. I saved it at 640 in Windows Gallery. I think I'll reinstall my HP photo software.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]515042[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]515042[/ATTACH]
Funny that is what my pin tuck or cording foot looks like on the bernina. The grooves keep you in line or handle the cording to stitch down.
I was just thinking that last night, it would be great to tack down all that bulk. I think it would be harder to keep the stitching straight though.
I think that form should follow function in my own opinion. Why not stitch on the side with the seams? Other than the fact that there is a lot more fabric to deal with, it would almost encase the raw edges, tack down the bulk and also give a security seam to keep the quilt in tack if there was a popped piecing seam.
I agree, and a point I've tried to make is that I just accepted whatever I was taught in my first class and didn't really think about it. Since then I've tried many different ways of doing it. I learn a lot on this board!
But, it is so true that it is the maker's choice what she does with her quilt. I love creative choice.
I was just thinking that last night, it would be great to tack down all that bulk. I think it would be harder to keep the stitching straight though.
I think that form should follow function in my own opinion. Why not stitch on the side with the seams? Other than the fact that there is a lot more fabric to deal with, it would almost encase the raw edges, tack down the bulk and also give a security seam to keep the quilt in tack if there was a popped piecing seam.
I agree, and a point I've tried to make is that I just accepted whatever I was taught in my first class and didn't really think about it. Since then I've tried many different ways of doing it. I learn a lot on this board!
But, it is so true that it is the maker's choice what she does with her quilt. I love creative choice.
03-28-2015, 10:05 AM
#49
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lowell, MA
Posts: 14,083
I'm with you, although I've been told that stitching in the "ditch" means slightly off to one side or the other of the seam line. I'm not to picky about it as sometimes I do a little of both, but it gets the job done - personal preference.
03-28-2015, 12:30 PM
#50
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Colorado
Posts: 160
Good topic for discussion! I will stitch on the seam or nearly so if my intention is to make the stitching disappear. Lately that has seemed less important, so I try to keep a constant distance from the seam, and will often stitch on both high and low sides to keep that distance when stitching inside or outside of a design element. I've found a zipper foot can work nicely for this, providing better visibility, and haven't had any wrinkle problems as long as the quilt is well pinned or basted.
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