What is Stitching in the Ditch?

Stitching in the ditch is a machine quilting technique where you are stitching directly in a seamline. You use a walking foot to create long rows of straight stitching where the stitches are hidden in the seamline of the fabrics. The goal is to stay in the ditch and not stray outside of the seamline. Your stitches will be hidden in the seam, holding your quilt layers together. It's a great supporting stitch for your quilts to really support and hold the layers together before other decorative quilting is done. If quilting is new to you, it is an excellent stitch to start your quilting.

Be sure that your seams are pressed flat to one side as this will make it easier to stitch. As you are stitching, be sure to watch your needle and guide your seamline to follow it. It does not matter where your walking foot is; it is more important to watch where your needle is stitching. If you gently glide your hands over the fabric, slightly pushing it away from the needle as you are stitching, this lets you easily see the seamline and helps you to stay in the ditch.

Many times stitching in the ditch is done with invisible thread to make the seam even less visible, but you can use cotton threads in various colors as well. Whatever thread you use, keep in mind that your stitching will be hidden in the ditch.