How to Machine Quilt using Stitch in the Ditch

[zeldafitzg1]

Thank you for this video. I do have a question: When you get to the end of the "ditch row," do you turn the whole quilt to go back up the other way? Or do you tie off your thread and pull the quilt toward you and start at the top again? Thanks for the help.

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@zeldafitzg1 Hi, I like to keep my stitching all going in the same direction, so I cut threads and start over, going alongside the row that I just did. Thank you for asking! Happy quilting, Marguerita

[MsKathy07]

Quilters, not all clear threads work well on all machines. I've found the YLI brand to be the best.

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@MsKathy07 It's true that machines and threads can be finicky - my machines all love Sulky brand clear poly thread and sulky rayons, and also Coats & Clark rayons. There are a few brands of thread that they just *won't* use too :) It's best to try several brands out before investing a lot in one brand - thanks for posting that!

[quiltsalot2]

I have a Gammill Longarm....I will never go back

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@quiltsalot2 Sweet!! I had a Gammill Longarm (5 yrs), then sold it and bought a Nolting FunQuilter (3yrs & loved it!), sold it and bought a MegaQuilter on an Inspira frame and sold that after quilting 1 quilt. I've moved a lot in the last 11 years and it can be really hard finding the space for a big quilting system. Now I just quilt on my home machine, but I do miss the "big frame & doing lots of quilting" days :)

[JojolindaIA]

Thank you for posting! Very interesting!

[H3llsOv3rs33r]

lol i got here from a halo reach video WTF

[Karbeyaz62]

Thank you so much,this is for post...:)

[ciqineq]

Thanks so much for this. I was looking for guidance for stitch in the ditch as I am making my first large size quilt and this was very helpful. Definitely made it less scary getting started. How surprised I was to find you live just 2hrs down the road : )

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@ciqineq I am so glad it helped! It's nice to meet someone nearby!

[naudical1]

I used to have access to a long arm quilting machine and was fearful I might have result to hand quilting (ugh!), but this a better alternative. I've put quilting off for over 5 years. I refuse to pay anyone to quilt a project I pieced together and I didn't want to hand quilt. I've always used warm & natural too and it's my favorite. Now I can put together a beach/ hula quilt for my girls new bunk bed set. They'll be so excited! A million thanks to you for posting this.

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@naudical1 I used to have a Gammill longarm - then a midarm (Nolting FunQuilter) then a shortarm (MegaQuilter on an Inspira Frame) and now I am back to square one, quilting on a DSM and totally enjoying it. I've switched over to Quilt-As-You-Go and have been loving that for a few years :)

[kcsmom11]

I have just started to quilt something I have done in the past but with so many techniques I have learned it does seem even more fun. Thank you for your tutorial, I have learned somemore : )

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@kcsmom11 You're welcome :)

[TheTetaDana]

Thank you! This video is wonderful. Takes a little of the fear out of trying to quilt!

[opc000]

Thank you for sharing your excellent video. I'm making my first quilt and will be starting to stitch in the ditch tonight. It would be helpful to know more about stitch length and tension - just an idea :-)

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@opc000 Hi, I am so glad that you are quilting your own quilt! The stitch length is really just a matter of personal taste but you are right, I could show close ups of the stitch length that I like to use. The tension is very dependent on each machine and the materials being used and so is the setting for the pressure on the presser foot - check out my video on that too, okay? Thanks so much for your comments and ideas - I'll be using them! ~~ Marguerita :)

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@opc000 You are so right! I do lengthen my stitches for a lot of things, and Stitch-in-the-Ditch is one of them! Thank you for mentioning it, I'll put that into a video soon :)

[vivientanLL]

Kudos to your excellent video as it has answered many of my doubts! I'm a beginner quilter and just started learning to machine quilt. Can I check if we should always use monofilament thread for quilting in the ditch? If yes, should we use this thread for both top and bobbin threads? I've heard some people saying that we should use monofilament for the top and cotton for the bobbin. Grateful if you could enlighten me. Thanks!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@vivientanLL Hi, really there are no rules - it's your quilt and you can do whatever you want and use whatever threads that you want! I prefer to use a polyester thread, not monofilament or nylon, because it's a softer, stretchier thread. I use that on top a lot, so I buy the big spools of it. I always use a cotton wrapped thread on the back. If you use a clear thread, top & back, they might not always knot up well, so I prefer to use a cotton or cotton-wrapped polyester thread on back. :)

[vivientanLL]

@CrazyShortcutQuilts Thanks for the explanation. I recently tried with a clear thread on the top and cotton thread on back, however I could see loops of the cotton thread showing up on the top. Tried adjusting the thread tension but they still show. Do you have any advice on how I could prevent the cotton thread from showing on top? If I use polyester thread on top as you suggested, what colour should I use if I'm doing a scrap quilt with both light and dark fabrics?

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@vivientanLL Hi Vivien, you may need to adjust your bobbin tension. I adjust my tension every time I change bobbins and I have a video on that (vertical bobbin) here - youtube(dot)com/watch?v=0bXrK4­57ENU and my friend Trish has a vid about adjusting the tension on a horizontal (top load) bobbin here -- youtube(dot)com/watch?v=1MaOWc­t81Fw

I would suggest a medium colored grey thread if you want something that can blend with both lights and darks and many colors. Marguerita :)

[vivientanLL]

Kudos to your excellent video as it has answered many of my doubts! I'm a beginner quilter and just started learning to machine quilt. Can I check if we should always use monofilament thread for quilting in the ditch? If yes, should we use this thread for both top and bobbin threads? I've heard some people saying that we should use monofilament for the top and cotton for the bobbin. Grateful if you could enlighten me. Thanks!

[nicoleshyne]

I have been quilting for many years, but never trusted my ability to machine quilt them myself. I have made a lot of quilts and spent a ton of money having others quilt them for me. I am so inspired after watching your video that I am beginning today to quilt some of my own projects! Thanks for all this great information and inspiration!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@nicoleshyne I am thrilled for you!! Yes you CAN do it :) I used to be a professional longarm quilter and I am so happy to see quilters develop the confidence to quilt their own quilts - Good for you Nichole!

[alluringgyrl]

This was very helpful to me. I'm on the process of piecing my first quilt top together. I'm trying to study ahead of time how to actually machine quilt. This was fabulous! It helped that I know how to fold/ roll my quilt to get to the middle. Thank you sooooo much!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@alluringgyrl I am so glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for your note, it sure means a lot to me :)

[mangoapple93]

This video really helps me a lot. Thank you so much.

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

You are very welcome!  Marguerita :)

[macpisho]

Thank you, this has been so helpful! I'm ready to try machine quilting for the first time now. :)

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

You are so welcome! I am very glad to help.

Check out my videos on my cheap sewing table and also the ergonomics one so that you stay as comfortable as possible while doing your quilting, okay? Most of all, know that soon your quilt will be DONE and keeping you warm!! YAY! ~Marguerita :)

[serialquilter123]

TY!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

YVW :)

[sewsweet08]

very helpful thankyou

can i buy the book in australia?

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Hi, yes, your local quilt shop can order it from the publisher (Krause) or from the major quilting supplies distributors - or you can buy it on Amazon . com

Thank you for asking and happy quilting!

~Marguerita

[quilter64779]

Very helpful

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Thank you! :)

[quilter64779]

I enjoyed your video alot very helpful. Just wondered do you leave your feed dogs up while stitching in the ditch or down. Thank You

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Hi Quilter,

I leave my feed dogs up while doing stitch in the ditch. By using the walking foot too, with the feed dogs up, I almost don't move the fabric at all - -the dogs and the foot do all the work, all I have to do is keep the needle in the "ditch" - -I *love* it :)

Thank you for watching and commenting!! ~Marguerita