Stitch in the ditch
Stitching right in the seam lines, on the low side of each seam, so the quilting disappears and the blocks puff up. It holds the layers before other quilting and outlines every patch.
By Editorial Staff
How to stitch stitch in the ditch
- Fit a walking foot and lengthen the stitch to about 3 mm, 8 to 9 stitches an inch. Roll the sides of the quilt so the part under the machine lies flat, and support its weight on the table so it doesn't drag.
- Stitch on the side of the seam without the seam allowance under it; that is the low side, where the stitches sink in.
- Quilt the long seams between rows and blocks first, from the center out, then the seams inside the blocks.
- Go slowly and spread the seam a little with your fingers in front of the foot so the needle lands in the groove.
Home machine, longarm or by hand
| Level | How | |
|---|---|---|
| Home machine | Beginner | Walking foot or ditch foot |
| Longarm | Intermediate | Straight ruler |
| By hand | Suits hand quilting | How to hand quilt |
Thread for stitch in the ditch
A thread that matches the fabric, or a clear or smoke monofilament on top with cotton in the bobbin.
| Size | Quilt | Stitching | Top thread | Bobbin thread |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crib | 45" × 60" | 69 yd | 94 yd | 94 yd |
| Throw | 60" × 72" | 110 yd | 151 yd | 151 yd |
| Twin | 70" × 90" | 160 yd | 220 yd | 220 yd |
| Full | 84" × 96" | 205 yd | 282 yd | 282 yd |
| Queen | 90" × 108" | 247 yd | 340 yd | 340 yd |
| King | 108" × 108" | 296 yd | 407 yd | 407 yd |
Stitching is measured on the drawing above at along the seams. A lockstitch takes about 1¼" of top thread and 1¼" of bobbin thread for each inch it sews; we add 10% for starts and tails. To check your own machine, sew 12", then measure what came off each spool.
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