One more little tip for ditch stitching that has helped me - I have a small magnifier attached to my Bernina and use that when I SID. It helps me see just a little bit better where that darn ditch really is and to make sure that I have my stitches where I really want them to go. Will you post a picture when the quilt is done?
Robin

Thankyou for everybody who has replied to this problem. I have sorted it out. I did a number of tests last night and have chosen to do the following. Using a Brother sewing machine with walking foot. Needle 70/10. Gutterman thread 100% poly not sure of weight but it is fine. Stitch size 2.0. It looks great. Tension is also great and whats even better no thread breakages. Thanks to everybody. Sarah21

Actually, my DH is an electrical engineer and one of our best friends is a rocket scientist. He's fun when we go camping and the kids wanted to know about stuff. It's amazing how one comment can totally change the direction of a thread.

too funny - i think your mum is someone i'd love to meet one day - who knows - the uk is not all that far away - although i won't be making it to birmingham as i'll have my niece and SIL from canada visiting for the first time. they're in the manchester area at the moment - if they'd stuck to their original plan they'd have been in switzerland first and i would have travelled to the uk with them and attended birmingham... oh well looking forward to having my 7year-old niece with me - that is too

Talking of Rocket scientists, my mum was one too - on the chemistry side I presume, since she was/is a Licentiate of the Royal Society of Chemists. She had great fun, particularly at where whe was working then, when the award came through, by announcing that she was now 'Licentious' and seeing who got the double meaning in it.

PosyP wrote:
Rosemary, actually my DH's father WAS a rocket scientist! But, we just called him an engineer who worked on space stuff. And, DH is a mechanical engineer. ME? I'm just a domestic engineer. But, I take pride in what I do, and wouldn't trade it for anything.

And, Francis, I now know of a cool site for DH to go to while he is in the midst of studying what makes a business successful. Thanks!

Dawn
In beautiful Norhwest Montana

Not a problem, Frances. I've been to the site you posted several times until I bookmarked the "real" site for Superior Threads!

Scoopie wrote:
A little something for DH perhaps?

sorry about the website. I was doing it from memory. From now on, I will double check the link before I post it.
Frances

Yes, I would use an Aurifil 50 which I think is a beautiful thread and works really well in my machine. The stitch length I would use is 3.0 or 3.5 on my machine. I also have a stitch in the ditch foot for my Pfaff which makes it slightly easier although I still have to watch those seams like a hawk! Good luck. Rita.

I use Superior Masterpiece when quilting in the ditch. It's fine enough to 'vanish'.

OMG! I went to the site that Francis gave us, and what a difference an s makes! Since I didn't need any new parts for my latest rocket, I decided to exit the site.

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

The link that Frances put up is wrong. Try this one for Superior Threads education: http://www.superiorthreads.com/education/

This link shows that for 40 weight thread, Dr. Bob recommends a size 90 Topstitch needle. http://www.superiorthreads.com/shop/category/king-tut/description/

If you are stitching in the ditch (SID) you might want to use a finer thread and a smaller needle.

My preference for SID (and for outlining applique) is Superior's MonoPoly. It is a very fine, clear polyester thread so if you miss the ditch your stitches aren't so obvious.

http://www.superiorthreads.com/shop/category/monopoly/description/

Hope that helps.

Hi Sarah, I'm wondering if the 40 weight thread might be too heavy for ditch quilting. It's for sure going to show, if that's what you're looking for. I usually try to use 50 weight or thinner thread for ditch quilting and even then I can see it. Ditch quilting is a lot harder than it looks, isn't it? I have a hard time staying close enough to the ditch!
Kathy