how do I do in-the-ditch stitching for quilting?

[caedmyn]

As near as I can tell this is some way to finish the quilt by attaching the binding to the backing, but I can't figure out how it works...do you just stich on the front in the seam where you attached the binding to the border? I don't even know if I'm getting all the terms right here, but hopefully someone can figure out what I mean and help me!

[fek&fuzz]

I haven't had to do it for quilting, I had a skirt where the directions said to "stitch in the ditch", I tried to figure it out for a while and finally brought the whole project to the fabric store so someone could explain it to me! Basically, it's what you said, stitch on the front in the seam, the seam being the ditch.

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by caedmyn

As near as I can tell this is some way to finish the quilt by attaching the binding to the backing, but I can't figure out how it works...do you just stich on the front in the seam where you attached the binding to the border? I don't even know if I'm getting all the terms right here, but hopefully someone can figure out what I mean and help me!

"In the ditch" actually refers to stitching in the seam of a quilting project. Typically, you stitch as close as you can to the seam on the non-bulk side. This is better done with machine quilting because it doesn't showcase the hand quilting work, and it's hard to handquilt in that area sometimes. On this quilt, I did that on the pieced blocks and then extended those lines across the solid blocks. Hope you can see what I mean.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...sizedquilt.jpg

To attach the binding, you sew it to the front, and then blind stitch it to the back. This site has wonderful directions.

http://www.omahamachinequilting.net/pdfs/Binding.pdf

HTH!

[Vanessa]

Reread your question. Do your binding instructions call for the binding to be totally attached by machine? I've never done that since I like the looks of blindhemming much better, but you basically attach the double fold binding to the back, then pull it over to the front and stitch over the same seam that you used on the back. I think it's really hard to get it to line up perfectly, but I know that lots of other people use that method because of time constraints.

[caedmyn]

The instructions actually call for blindhemming, but I have neither the time nor the patience for that, so I need a way to attach it by machine. It does seem like the in-the-ditch stitching would be really hard to keep lined up, but for lack of a better way to do it, I guess I'll try that.

[Vanessa]

Good luck. I'd try using a lot of pins and sewing slowly.

[rubelin]

I've also done binding by stitching it to the BACK, and then flipping it and topstitching it on the front. You don't always get the 2 stitching lines lined up perfectly on the back, but the binding gets put on securely.

[Ellien C]

I will try to explain this - but it's so hard without pictures.

I assume you have double fold bias tape?
Double fold bias tape usually has one side a little bigger than the other.
The raw edges are already ironed in AND there is a fold in not-quite-the middle.

1) Put the bias tape on your quilt so the short side is on front and the longer side is toward the bottom of your quilt.

2) On the TOP, open the bias tape out so the RAW Edge of the bias tape is lined up with the raw edge of the quilt. You will now sew these two together INSIDE the bias tape. The right side of the quilt and the right side of the bias tape are together, just like a seam. You are sewing on the wrong side of the bias tape.

3) Now, wrap the bias tape around the edge of quilt. The bias tape is now facing correctly, with the right side out. It should look just like it did in step 1 except part of it is sewn down.

4) NOW - still on the right side of the quilt, secure the REAR of the bias tape to the quilt by 'stitching-in-the-ditch' made by the bias tape and quilt.

The back of the quilt will have a single visible line of stitching on the edge of the bias tape. Theoretically, the stitching on the front of the quilt won't show at all because it is in the ditch.