Accurate Stitching in the Ditch Depends on Ruler Placement
Domestic machine quilters have an advantage over longarm quilters when it comes to stitching in the ditch. When using a domestic machine, one can use both hands to gently pull the seam apart. This allows the needle to place stitches on the "low side" of the seam, which become hidden when the fabric is released and the top fabric gently folds over the stitching.
However, longarm quilters must use guiding rulers to help them stay on target stitching next to seams and fabric folds. One hand must drive the machine while the other must hold the guiding ruler in position. To increase your success rate with a longarm machine, think about where you place your ruler before you begin to stitch.
If you place the guiding ruler on top of the seam allowance (the high side of the seam), then your hand's pressure causes the top fabric layer to fold over slightly and hide the space where you want your stitches to fall. You may think you're doing an excellent job of "staying in the ditch" until you remove your hand and ruler. Once the top fabric layer relaxes back into position, your stitches will appear to be too far away from the seam, even when they looked perfect just moments before!
Whenever possible, position your ruler on the low side of any seam (the side without the seam allowances underneath). Use invisible thread to also boost your confidence for those occasional misses we all suffer!
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