Saturday, June 8, 2013

Stitch in the Ditch or Not??????????

How many times have you decided to skip slip stitching and decided to stitch in the ditch? Well, I always stitch in the ditch when putting on waist bands.

If you don't know what I mean by "Stitching in the ditch" this is an example. It's after you've sewn on the band, flipped it to the opposite side and folded the 5/8" for slip stitching.

 
Make sure to overlap enough to catch the fabric when stitching.This is a photo of the opposite side where the fabric was overlapped enough to sew the band.


This is the top that I'm working on. After sewing the front bands to the shirt, I thought,  I'd  perfer stitching in the ditch than slip stitching both front bands and the collar band.

Guess what? This is as far as I got when I chickened out because I wanted to make sure the stitches didn't show.

Well, there are times when it is not best to short cut, but to do the right thing or find yourself using the seam ripper. That being said, if this was a print, stitching in the ditch would have been a serious option.

I don't know if I have ever seen it written, but my mom used the terminology. I'll check the net when finished. Ok, I checked and the term exists, especially in quilting. Do you stitch in the ditch?

6 comments:

  1. I have tried in the past, but always end up with the underside looking very poorly indeed. So I tend to sit down with a relaxing cuppa, and slip stitch away slowly. I think it is all down to precision folding, ironing, stitching and a whole lot of good luck ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You really take a chance when doing it unless you take care of the details.

      Delete
  2. This is the way that I finish my waistbands. Sometimes I use it to anchor facings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Towanda, I also stitch in the ditch on the shoulder facings.

      Delete
  3. I have tried but it is never neat enough on the inside.. Practice makes perfect?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This proves that there are times when one must simply slip stitch. It guarantees success!

      Delete

Thanks for all of your wonderful comments. I hope to respond to each message.