How to Stitch in the Ditch?

[joan6630]

I have been sending many of my quilts out to be machine quilted -- but because of the cost, I am trying to learn to do this myself (just got a new sewing machine, so may help). I machine quilted one quilt, but had a lot of puckering. So I was wondering -- when you machine stitch in the ditch, do you start in the middle, and do a block at a time? Or do I stitch the entire length of the quilt -- you know, make a straight stitch down one seam the entire length of the quilt - and then start again with another row? My machine is a Babylock Quilters Choice.

I am also trying to learn free motion, but want to master in the ditch first!. Thank you all so much -- this is just my second t ime to post -- so happy I found this forum. I have learned so much already reading different posts.
joan

[CoyoteQuilts]

Welcome!! Yes, I do the center 'stitch in the ditch' first. Then work out from there. Also I have found that if I have my backing tight before I pin the layers together I get less pucker. The tension on the backing & top takes practice, practice, practice. I have a gracie frame that my DH bought for me so I could just pin my layers together. I STILL have problems getting it right & I have had the blasted thing for years!! Also use a walking foot. I have a Pfaff with an IDT (built in walking foot) and have recently used an open toe foot to stitch in the ditch. What a difference.

Good luck and happy stitching!
Sharon V.

[MAWmum]

I would say for the puckering PIN! PIN! PIN!!
For your stitch in the ditch...Start in the middle of the quilt do the length then move out either side then the other, then do the width from the middle out.
I have yet to do any free motion so there I can't help.

[Granma2five]

Hi Joan,

I recently acquired Harriet Hargrave's "Heirloom Machine Quilting-Comprehensive Guide to Hand-Quilting Effects Using You Sewing Machine." She devotes 7 full pages to stitch in the ditch quilting alone, has wonderful tips, lots of color pictures to illustrate, etc. I learned a bunch from this section alone. She shows you how to stabilize your quilt, where to start stitching, which side of the seam allowance to stitch on (she says to sew just a hair away from the seam line and on the side without the bulk of the seam allowance).

She also discusses a variety of straight line and grid stitching as well as just about everything that goes with it, threads, needles, walking feet, you name it. She even shows you how you can use a Dremmel tool to cut out the bridge part of your walking foot (if you have this annoying thing, and I'm guessing with the Baby Lock you might, as I do, but I have the Decorator's Choice)so you can actually see what you're sewing - what a concept!!

I can't say enough about this book! You can catch a glimpse of some of the pages from it on Amazon, reviews of it from them and others and it's probably in your library, as well as LQS. Best of luck to you, I'm still learning, too.

Blessings,

Karla

[CindyB]

I avoid stitching ITD for just this reason. And I know why it happens. I don't pin close enough... I'm impatient and it shows when I SITD.... so I do free motion quilting, and love it!

[institcheswithrosie]

Pin close and taut, take your time and use your walking foot.

That and a good stiff drink may help. (Just kidding)

Rosie

[joan6630]

Thank you all so much -- I guess I'll use LOTS of pins! I will post pictures when I'm finished -- I posted pictures of the 2 quilts I'm going to be starting soon on the photo board, so we'll see how it goes! I was debating on the batting to use, and after reading several discussions it looks like everyone likes the Warm n Natural batting, so I'll try that. They are King size -- so may take me awhile.

[ladiehummer]

Joan, How are you preparing your quilt before "quilting" it? I have had better luck when I lay backing on the floor and tape it down nice and taut, then continue with batting and quilt, taping each layer. Then I pin, pin, pin. (I just tape at corners and a piece in the middle). I just machine quilted my first one with no puckers!! TA DA!!

[joan6630]

Thank you for that suggestion -- I had used a table and clamped it down, but my table only would hold about 1/3 of the quilt at a time. My kitchen isn''''t that big -- but maybe I will move the table out and see if that will work better. Thank you so very much for that suggestion -- I''''m hoping this weekend to get it pinned and started. joan

[MDQuilta]

You have received some good advice. Tackling a King sized quilt on a regular sewing machine is like climbing Mt. Everest. Best of luck and do not get discouraged. I am pretty good at machine quilting but could not do one that big.