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If I understand correctly - SID is supposed to be done on the 'ditch' side of a seam. I press my seams to the left on one row, and then to the right on the next row so they 'nest' together. So if i'm doing SID, am i 'supposed' to change the side of the seam I sew on for each row?? Does that make sense? I know there are no quilt police, but was just wondering the "correct" way to do it.
Thanks~

I'm not sure there is a "correct" way but my experience is that it is easier to always stay on the "ditch" side of the seam even if it mean jumping across the seam where the blocks are joined. No one will notice it when the quilt is done.

thanks, Mary Lou!

Excellent question - cause I do what you said - but it always bothers me.

thanks! I had a SID foot for my machine which naturally wants to 'jump' to the ditch side, so if i slow down enough I only have to adjust my stitch position a click or 2 from center.

Technically, and in a perfect world, you are supposed to go to the other side. BUT like you said there are no quilt police.

Well, I've been doing it wrong....such is the story of my life I guess I do more "close" to in the ditch - every so often there, every so often close....

I will try it the correct way (which didn't make sense to me because of the nesting) thanks for raising this subject and for the information provided as a result

Char, if you have a walking foot, stitching in the ditch is much easier to do. The weight of the foot smooths the way for your needle.

KC, I have a Janome 6600 with a SID Accufeed foot that makes it a breeze I was just wondering what the "correct" way to do it was. SHHHH I don't normally jump from one side to the other
Thanks!

Char

This conversation reminds me of a situation 10+ years ago. I didn't participate in the discussion, just listened. The occasion was a "How to Use your New Sewing Machine" class. As a prelude the instructor showed a sample of some quilting she had done with a SID foot - "see how you can't even see the stitches?". One student irately responded to the effect that quilting wasn't supposed to be done in the seam lines, it was supposed to be done a quarter of an inch from each seam.

Big sigh - so many experts - so little information.............

I was taught differently many years ago. I spread the fabric a bit on both sides of the stitched seam line and stitch right over the seam lines. I don't jump from side to side, I Stitch IN the Ditch. That's how the term was coined, stitching IN the ditch.

By the way, I've never had weak seam lines from it and my quilts go into the washer and dryer more times than I can count and don't fall apart.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: quiltbea,

And then there's me.

When I SID, it really isn't in the ditch at all, it is on the left side of the seam, regardless. I lay the center edge of my presser foot as close to the right side of the seam as possible and then put my needle as far to the right as it goes, and stitch.

You don't really want to 'stitch in the ditch' because it can weaken the seam so a thread or two away from the seam is best, I was told.

I ditto Quiltbea's comments--never had a problem with weak seams with many, many machine washings!

quote:

Well, I've been doing it wrong

Royalboomer, there is no "wrong" in quilting just like there is no "correct" way! We may do things differently but that doesn't mean one is right and one is wrong.

I go along with my needle passing a thread away from the "hump" of the fabric that got folded over the seams. Like you've opened up a book & one side is higher than the other -- I sew just beside that hump -- "graze" it with the needle, but not go through it.

Yes, I jump sides when needed. If I'm doing it wrong, at least I'm consistent on the quilt, so the entire thing looks uniform. When you consistently make a mistake, it can turn into a "technique" instead.

Agreed, Mary Lou!!
Thanks for all of the input!!

quote:

Originally posted by char77:
KC, I have a Janome 6600 with a SID Accufeed foot that makes it a breeze I was just wondering what the "correct" way to do it was. SHHHH I don't normally jump from one side to the other
Thanks!

Same machine for me to Char77, I do it like Quiltbea stated. the seam line.
like this picture shows..
http://quilting.about.com/od/q...chine-Quilting_2.htm


I also "quilt" 1/4" from the seam, usually to the inside or left of it, I don't have a name for it, i do it because i like the way it looks for that project. lol

It is always nice to know the correct terms though!

The only part of my quilts,that has ever fallen apart after washing? a section of the binding, when i failed to catch enough of the backside,under the binding. That's what i get for machine sewing it on! ROFL!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim - Strut526,

Well, 'seams' as if I've been under the wrong instructions for lotsa years. And will admit I stand further educated. lolllll

As has been said, there are no quilt police and after doing this for many years, I'll probably keep doing it that way but it is nice to know. Truly. Thanx, All.