Stitch in the Ditch - Stitching in the Ditch

 

Q: I don't know what stitching in the ditch is :o(

A: "Stitch in the ditch" is when you quilt (either hand quilt or machine quilt) right next to the seam allowances. Most quilters stitch on the side of the seam without the seam allowance folded under. In other words, they are quilting through one layer of fabric on the quilt top, the batting, and then the backing.

When you look closely at a quilt block, the side that has the seam allowance under it is a little bit higher than the other side.

That is because there are 3 layers of fabric - the fabric of the block plus two additional layers of seam allowance fabric. With one side higher, it makes the lower side look like a kind of "ditch" - taking us back to the farm.

Stitching in the ditch is about the easiest quilting pattern because it requires no marking, you just follow along the seam lines of your quilt blocks.

You can pick and choose which lines you want to follow to highlight certain patterns in your quilt blocks and make them stand out.

Although stitching in the ditch sounds easy, following a seam line exactly can be very challenging. Therefore, many quilters stitch 1/8 to 1/4 inch away from the actual seam. That way, if your stitches aren't exactly perfect, it is less noticeable. This is commonly called echo quilting.

 

Stitch in the Ditch is quilting along the seams where your patches are sewn together. You can stitch directly in the seam or 1/8 to 1/4 inch away from the seam, as shown in the quilt above. Stitching a slight distance away from the "ditch" is also called Echo Quilting. If you are machine quilting, sewing a bit away from the seam makes it less noticeable when your stitches aren't perfectly straight.

This just in from a quilter:

Sorry Penny, I have to disagree with you on this one.  Stitch in the ditch is indeed as close to the seam as you can possibly get so that when the you are done it is hidden by the overhanging fabric.  Stitching up to 1/4 inch away is outline stitching.  It is a very attractive method too, but the two are not synonymous.  One is meant to be invisible, one is meant to be part of the art of quilt front.  Much like the outline stitching on a pair of jeans.  I for one much prefer the stitch in the ditch because I don't often go up on top but it has nice long lines of stitching.  Outline stitching is tedious with its short lines and sharp corners.  But when I master hand quilting maybe I will outline more.  It seems a shame to stitch in the ditch with hand quilting when your hard work to make those tiny stitches are lost to the observer.    Keep up the good work with the tips, I love finding new ones in my in box and some have about saved the day when I am looking for a problem solver! Quilter Anna

 

Dear Penny, One indispensable tool for SID is the special foot you can purchase--at least from Pfaff.  It has a perpendicular piece of metal that you keep on the fold of the seam, and it stitches exactly where yo want it--in the ditch. Alma Lou

Bernina has a video that shows how to use its walking foot. All walking feet are pretty much the same, so check out this short video: Bernina walking foot

 

 

Hope that helps and...

© 2006-, Penny Halgren. This article courtesy of http://www.How-To-Quilt.com. You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.