How to use the Stitch in Ditch Foot

Do you ever find that your facings pop out of your clothes, and you wish you knew of a way to keep them in place? In this article, I'm going to talk you through a sewing technique that will help with just that - stitching in the ditch. The stitch-in-the-ditch foot helps you stitch flawlessly in the finished seam of your quilt binding or garments. The foot is easy to use, and you'll be thrilled with the results

When to Stitch in the Ditch

Quilters and dressmakers use the stitch in the ditch to follow and sew in the join of a seam. It is often used when attaching a waistband. The guide on the foot sits on the surface of the seam. This allows the needle to produce a line of stitches directly over the seam. When completed and the fabric rolls back into position, the stitches will be hidden in the seam.

Stitch in the ditch sewing machine foot.

What a Stitch in the Ditch Foot Looks Like

Depending on the manufacturer, the foot will be plastic or metal; some manufacturers make both. The foot has a vertical flange or guide that sits through the middle of the foot. At the rear of the metal guide strip is a space for the needle to enter the fabric. Most stitch-in-the-ditch feet have a small hole for straight stitching only. A few have a wider area for zig-zag stitching, making the foot more versatile.

How a Stitch-in-the-Ditch Foot Works

When the guide on the foot follows the seam, the stitching will be sewn perfectly within the channel of the seam.

How to use a Stitch-in-the-Ditch Foot

1. Snap on the Adjustable Stitch-in-Ditch Foot. Thread the machine with a matching thread thread. When sewing a quilt, match the bobbin to the back of the quilt.

2. Place the fabric to be stitched under the presser foot. Aligning the guide in the center of the foot with the seam. The guide will automatically fall on the low side of the seam and flawlessly stitch down the seam.

3. If the stitch is not in the seam, move the needle left or right to align it perfectly.

4. Take a stitch or two and then backstitch. If you're new to using this foot, going a bit slower is okay. Going slower will make it easier to ensure you are sewing directly in the seam line.

If you accidentally sew a couple of stitches outside of the seam line, don't worry about it - nobody will notice