todiesmom

I have never understood the logic of stitching on the opposite side of the seam for SITD...it always seemed to me that stitching the fabric in the seam helps to hold it down...can someone tell me why stitching on the side w/o fabric is better?? I love this board and have learned a lot so I am open to info....

gigi712

The way I understand it is as previously stated, quilting in the ditch is actually quilting on the seam weakens the quilt because you're simply going over the seam you used to put to quilt together, whereas quilting beside the ditch is yet another seam which strengthens the quilt which is what quilting is all about.

I'll get a picture of the inspiration quilt if I can figure out how to post it so you can see what I mean.

maviskw

Stitching in the ditch is "in the ditch". If you go next to the ditch, that's called top-stitching in my book. I can see the danger of in the ditch if seams are pressed open, but most of us press seams to one side.

carolynjo

I don't like SITD because it is too hard to stay in the channel.

CMARAS1234

when i do SITD i use a very soft curve stitch or a small zig zag. works for me. cmaras1234

tessagin

My neighbor does the soft curve a.k.a wine class.

quiltingshorttimer

when you press to one side,the opposite side of the seam will be a little bit lower--when you SITD it allows you to run the needle against the edge the higher side forms. This helps keep the SITD following that seam exactly (or not if the seam pressing changes!) but also helps the SITD to "disappear". SITD not "bad" for your quilt if you pressed seams to one side, but it may not show much as far as quilting, whether you use thick poly thread or not.

todiesmom

thanks quiltingshorttimer...you understood exactly what I meant and what you said makes sense. I never stitch in the ditch but along side of it but I have been stitching on the wrong side...LOL....appreciate the explanation...