Have you ever ditch stitched before? Or did you do it and just not know it?!😅 To learn more on how to make GREAT garments, at your own pace, online, join me at Vintage Sewing School www.vintagesewingschool.com/ I'd love to have you in class!
Evelyn Wood yes! In quilting! You use it when hurriedly quilting or beginning quilting because you have designated lines to follow, but also in the binding of the quilt, while some people hand finish the binding. If you are going to completely machine bind a quilt you have to stitch in the ditch to do it.
I tried with two different sewing machines. One thing I realised was annoying on that second sewing machine is a detail on its basic sewing foot is the location of the slit. If the slit is centered, it's makes it so much easier to stay perfectly centered in the ditch. On this image, the left foot is way better for ditch stitch than the right one: 1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEwzsPcLops/XO4M_ZEgQFI/AAAAAAAAKTA/VNkivVxAnLk384xZWBUeORSPq4FSpxXtACLcBGAs/s1600/all%2Bpurpose%2Bsewing%2Bfoot.png
@@constancerouge4811 What is the right one for? The bar is so small, it does not even look as if it could fasten to the needle arm, and the whole thing has a curved appearance to it. ^^
@@Evelyn__Wood You are the best sewing teacher I have ever had. Wish I had you many years ago. Your happiness is contagious and gets me smiling. I didn't know I could ditch stitch with a zipper foot. When I use a regular foot, the sewing slides off of the garment if it's slippery material. You are WONDERFUL!
I've been sewing masks for my family and I was getting frustrated by how much the fabric got twisted in the washer. I had to iron them every time. I decided to ditch stitch the center seam and now they come out almost perfect- no more ironing! 💜
I knew about using it for waistbands and keeping elastic from shifting, but it never occurred me to use it on facings-I’ve been tacking those down by hand through the seam allowance. This will be much better for holding down facings.
This is the first time that I have ever heard of it. To be honest, I'm starting to feel a little overwhelmed. There is so much to learn. I'm a novice sewer and have been able to sew 2 pair of basic shorts so far. Neither pair have any different stitches for seams and then for the band's. I just did a basic straight stitching. Yet there are different threads for different fabrics and there are different stitch techniques for those fabrics. It is all amazing and a bit daunting at the same time! I'm so very grateful for your channel ,Evelyn. Your channel helps me a lot. Thank you!
After 40 years of sewing (badly) I learned a lot of handy stitches and ideas from quilting techniques. I started with dog coats and then placemats and found these both were actually quilting and learned so many new ways to do things from quilts - even though they are simple and not dressmaking, they have made my dressmaking more pleasurable.
😂 Without knowing that this was an actual trick, I did this to a dress 3 months ago because the pattern didn't tell me how to hold the facing down! I feel so proud of myself now ☺️
These little tricks improved the quality of my sewing exponentially, just like Evelyn always says 😊 it’s amazing how much better the garment looks after it
I will frequently hand "ditch stitch" if I am not sure the machine stitch will be invisible. It is another option if new dressmakers have trouble sewing a straight line. These are so informative, thanks Evelyn!
Ah! Thank you SEW MUCH! 😄 A little embaressed to say Ive seen this on patterns and have always just skipped it because I had no idea what that meant. You gave me a total lightbulb moment! Makes so much sense now
I never thought of stitching in the ditch for clothing, but I do it often in quilting. I have a stitch in the ditch foot for my sewing machine. I will definitely use this now for clothes sewing. Thanks for another great video! I learn so much from you!
I love stitching in the ditch for my skirt waistbands. I learned how many years ago, when my mother had a wonderful seamstress make a wool skirt for me. I saw that she had used the selvedge of the wool instead of turning under the waistband on the inside and then stitched right in the very seam on the outside. The result was a very cleanly made waistband with no bulk. I still have that skirt which is part of a three piece suite, and one other she made for me. Through the years I have gone to those suits for examples of great sewing techniques. I heartily recommend examining well-made clothing as a way to learn about how beautiful sewing is done. Garments often have a story to tell; a story we can use to better our own sewing. Today, I always finish my waistbands that way, with one simple change. I bind the edge of the waistband with a very narrow binding or even a Hong Kong finish. I use a one layer of a very lightweight fabric for the binding cut on the bias so as not to introduce bulk. I don’t like using the selvedge on a garment which will be laundered multiple times throughout its life, if that bias might shrink.
Oh! I knew what this was, but thought I’d never used it, until you mentioned using it on elastic in castings, and I realized I did this on the elastic casings of the shorts I made do my kids, because I hate it when the elastic rolls.
I've heard of stich-in-the-ditch, but I've never had the various applications so clearly explained. I can think of a few garments that can be improved with this little trick!
Yeah, it was mentioned in my sewing machine manual and I had no idea what it was for. Perhaps they mentioned it in context of the zipper foot, as well. I will have to check next time.
Thanks for again teaching an old sewer new tricks. I use the stitch frequently in quilting but never thought to use it for garments. Light bulb moment.
Yes! I absolutely do use “stitching in the ditch” on facing and waistband seams. It’s such a useful technique and I have a special edge stitching foot for my machine which has a blade at the front to precisely guide and control the positioning of the stitching into that seam “valley”. As you say, matching thread makes it pretty much invisible from the right side.
This was explained so well. My pattern told me to "stitch in the ditch" for the cuffs of the sleeves. Didn't give any instruction as to what that meant. Its makes sense now, thank you.
Oh my goodness ! I have not ever thought to stitch in the ditch on garments and since returning to sewing for self, the valuable points you present have totally changed my methods and approach. Thank you for this great tip!
Yet another video full of knowledge, examples and no-nonsense approach. I have heard of the 'stitch in a ditch' before but never managed to fathom what it actually means :) Thank you! Last time I sew a waistband I finished it by hand, but defo going to try the ditch stitching next.
I’m in the minority, having learned this as a quilting technique. I never realized this is what kept elastic waistbands from twisting- I’m excited to use this on my next skirt.
I love your channel !! You are Thorough and clear with all of your instructions . I’m a new sewer and if I’m stuck on something I always look for the answer on your channel . Thanks so much !!
I have used it when tacking facings down at the shoulder seams. I stitch the whole length. I never thought about just doing it a short distance to tack. Your tip of stretching the seam while stitching is very helpful. Thanks !
stitch in the ditch makes such nice neat waistbands....if you can actually sew in a straight line. a different foot works miracles but I still always have bits on the underside that aren't caught up! I've seen the facings tacked through the seam on pre-made garments but didn't ever think to do it on my own. thank you!
I first learned about stitching in the ditch in a video by Pixielocks and I thought it looked so neat, but I didn't understand what it was and how to do it. I googled it, but it was very hard to find decent information (because this video didn't exist yet). With some trial and error I managed to figure it out and it is now my go to technique for waistbands. I think it is pretty easy to do and looks so nice. I kind of make very wide bias tape for a waist band (wide strip of fabric with two edges folded over and ironed), but I make sure that I don't fold it in half exactly, but one side is just a smidge longer. I sew the shorter side to the skirt good sides together. Then I fold the waistband over as one would with bias tape and stitch in the ditch to secure the waistband in the back. Because the waistband is just a smidge longer in the back, I'm sure to catch it when stitching in the ditch. I'm very glad there is now a good resource for what stitching in the ditch actually is! Thank you for making it!
I'm familiar with stitching in the ditch from quilting but have never used it in dressmaking in this way. What a great idea. I shall definitely be doing this on future garments.
I took sewing lessons this summer with a local sewing shop. They were video tutorials and one of the projects called for stitch in the ditch. So yes, I have done it!!
Thank you so much! I could not understand the term, nor could I find a good explanation, until I found you! You explained it so well! Now it's clear as a bell and I am so jazzed to have added another tool to my belt❣
This was very helpful! I've done a bit of stitching in the ditch, somewhat successfully, but I think knowing when to iron will make all the difference. Thank you!
I also quilt, and sometimes refer to it as stitch in the B!tch, or some sort of rhyming variation. I use it for machine sewing my bindings andf langes because my old arthritic hands don't do much hand sewing any more! You woudn't think it would be difficult to sew on straight line, but it is!
I love having your videos in my skills library at the back of my mind :) I recently tried out understitching on the pocket of an apron. It was totally overkill for an apron pocket whose understitched seam wouldn't be seen, but it was really fun to try out that technique on a nice simple straight seam before using it on more complicated projects in future :) Thank you for your whole channel! It's an amazing resource! Also, seeing your hair straight instead of in perfect curls reveals that you are indeed human! Thanks to my new covid hair length, curls are just falling out of mine, and I am living my life in limp sadness lol
I wish I'd known this when I did my last dress! I hand sewed the waistband on the inside because I didn't want to topstitch it. I did use the technique of understitching that I learned from your videos. Thank you so much for these videos, they are really improving my sewing!
Perfect timing. I was just starting to hear about stitching in the ditch from the quilting side of things. As always, you have a great way of hitting all the details that are often overlooked, even with simple things like pulling the seam open while doing it. Thank you!
Thanks! I’ve heard about this used in quilt making but have never tried it- yet- as I haven’t made any quilts. I wasn’t aware of its uses in sewing garments until now. Can’t wait to try it! Wonderful video!
This is great. I have a store bought shirt with elastic under the but and I constantly have to straighten it out. I will definitely try this on that top.
I always have a problem with flopping facings as I like to sew silk. This stitch is amazing & I have never heard of it, but will certainly use it from now on thanks Evelyn.
I've avoided stitching in the ditch for waist bands because I struggled to do it neatly, but I notice you used a zipper foot. So yes, armed with a zipper foot I will try the ditch stitch again... it has to be faster than hand sewing waist band from the inside.
@@Evelyn__WoodThere is a special foot for ditch stitching? I will have to look into that. I’m struggling to make a neat ditch stitch with a 1/4inch double fold bias tape. That is what brought me to this video.
I watch all sort of sewing type videos and saw the ditch stitch used in quilting. I must admit I thought it somehow strengthened the seams. Recently I have been following a brilliant site called craft 2315 where a wonderful Indian or Bangledeshi lady makes bags (no voice over/CC) As I watched I thought the bags might benefit from a ditch stitch to strengthen and neaten the seams. Here I am down the rabbit hole (RUclips) and found you. I saw all the things you explained and was so enthralled. I had no idea. Great instructable about Stitch/Ditch.
Thank you for this video!❤️ I was looking for a way to keep the elastic in the casing of my daughter's skirts from rolling up. I didn't want to sew through it all around because I'm planning on letting the elastic out a bit as she grows. The ditch stitching will be so much easier to unpick 😁
I am actually busy with a "ditched stitch" at the moment, just did not know it had a name, and I have absolutely no idea where I learnt it from😂. Stitching a waistbaind on a wrap around skirt and it just made sense🤔
This was so helpful! I recently made some simple dresses and the facing on the underarms flip up every time I put it on, so annoying! Definitely going to add this stitch to my repatoire 😆💖
I love your videos, they are so instructive. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge! I only just started watching your videos a small while ago and already my sewing has improved!!
I always hated facings because they would fly up. Obviously none of my garments had either understitching or ditch stiching and for a while I wanted to bind everything to avoid facings but now I am coming back around to facings now I know they can be tamed.
Oh! Can't wait to try this. Unrelated, do you have a video about that skirt in the background? I'm obsessed with it and the way it gathers in the front. 😍
I few people have also spotted this Kandys! perhaps I will make a post about it for those interested... yes a changing in style, I've been experimenting with styling the last few weeks...
Use ditch stitching all the time for facings. Also use to keep drawstrings from pulling uneven.. Only seen reference to ditch stitching on one a recent simplicity pattern.
My garment was slightly off in the under part of the garment and I felt so bad for weeks, couldn't finish my project, thank you for saying it is ok if it's not perfect at the bottom 🤣 I nearly died
My attempt to machine stitch in the ditch was a failure. I couldn't get my old Elna SU to stay in the ditch because of the 4 layers of lightweight wool that were the waistband, were too high a lump for the feed dogs. Solved the problem by stitching down the waistband by hand, with tiny back stitches in the ditch, which made a lovely look on the right side. No stitching visible at all.
Stitch in the ditch is a real problem for me. I would love to see a video on how to properly pin down a collar or facing so that when you "stitch in the ditch" on the outside of the garment, the collar will be attached on the underside. I often find my collars are still open on the inside after I've "stitched in the ditch" and I end up having to hand-sew them down.
What I really want to know, though, is how you get those marvelous curls, you usually have - I always just assumed, they were your natural hair texture! What technique/products do you use, to get these small, defined ringlets? I really love the look, but am only able to achieve it, with a really thin curling iron.
Evelyn Wood Oh, I did learn a lot. I can’t say I enjoyed the job (due to the bosses), but I did learn more doing that than anywhere else. It is where I first learned of industrial sewing machines and why I have a straight stitch and walking foot. Thank you for the reply. I love your videos and adore your style. I grew up in the “vintage” era you represent. Although I do like contemporary fashion, that era rocks!
Loving your work and your explanations as always. I would love a video on how to gather fabric. I find it very difficult to gather evenly. I often end up with one part of the dress gathered much more than the other. And even if i place the gathering very carefully and iron it, when i sew it i still often push the folds into one direction flattening them down.
@@jeancronyn2835 Pleats are wonderful and i do struggle much less with them. But i love gathered skirts they just look completely different. Although i do cheat as well using pleats as much as i can. But i also struggle with gathered sleeves etc. I often just use an elastic to avoid having to gather and fix the gathers.
Lilly Tenshi I agree. There are many times, I prefer gathers, too. But I’m always glad when the pattern calls for pleats over gathering. I’ve been doing a lot of little girl’s dresses with gathering lately and it can be frustrating. Which, of course, means I need to practice more . . . 🥴😊
I don't really ever have problems with gathering. My first sewing project was a slip for my cabbage patch doll and it had 2 tiers of gathering. Maybe it's the seamstress in my blood, both grandmothers made clothes for their families and other people all the time. I tend to learn new techniques pretty easily. Except darts. I'm not sure why, but I usually end up with uneven darts and have to redo them several times.
Hello. I have this beautiful vintage coat (40s or 50s) in wool which sadly has no lining. As I was going through it I realised it has a waistband that has been cut between all the panels, probably when they removed the old lining. As I never re-lined a vintage garment or any garment for that matter, I wonder what the function of this waistband might have been. My guess is that the lining was attached to the waistband to prevent it from sliding when the coat was worn but I would like to hear from people with more experience on this.
Have you ever ditch stitched before? Or did you do it and just not know it?!😅
To learn more on how to make GREAT garments, at your own pace, online, join me at Vintage Sewing School www.vintagesewingschool.com/ I'd love to have you in class!
Evelyn Wood yes! In quilting! You use it when hurriedly quilting or beginning quilting because you have designated lines to follow, but also in the binding of the quilt, while some people hand finish the binding. If you are going to completely machine bind a quilt you have to stitch in the ditch to do it.
That makes sense! Especially for beginner quilters to follow the seams!
For bindings if drape is not an issue, say for sets and napkins (otherwise I would finish the bindings by hand).
I tried with two different sewing machines. One thing I realised was annoying on that second sewing machine is a detail on its basic sewing foot is the location of the slit. If the slit is centered, it's makes it so much easier to stay perfectly centered in the ditch. On this image, the left foot is way better for ditch stitch than the right one: 1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEwzsPcLops/XO4M_ZEgQFI/AAAAAAAAKTA/VNkivVxAnLk384xZWBUeORSPq4FSpxXtACLcBGAs/s1600/all%2Bpurpose%2Bsewing%2Bfoot.png
@@constancerouge4811 What is the right one for? The bar is so small, it does not even look as if it could fasten to the needle arm, and the whole thing has a curved appearance to it. ^^
How wonderful to find someone advocating and teaching quality garment construction techniques! Thank you for encouraging quality rather than speed.
😀 Aww thanks so much! You have described it exactly! I want to see everyone making great quality clothes the can feel great in!😀
@@Evelyn__Wood You are the best sewing teacher I have ever had. Wish I had you many years ago. Your happiness is contagious and gets me smiling. I didn't know I could ditch stitch with a zipper foot. When I use a regular foot, the sewing slides off of the garment if it's slippery material. You are WONDERFUL!
I've been sewing masks for my family and I was getting frustrated by how much the fabric got twisted in the washer. I had to iron them every time. I decided to ditch stitch the center seam and now they come out almost perfect- no more ironing! 💜
I knew about using it for waistbands and keeping elastic from shifting, but it never occurred me to use it on facings-I’ve been tacking those down by hand through the seam allowance. This will be much better for holding down facings.
It can give you a really flat facing! But just like everything in sewing, it always depends! 😄
This is the first time that I have ever heard of it. To be honest, I'm starting to feel a little overwhelmed. There is so much to learn. I'm a novice sewer and have been able to sew 2 pair of basic shorts so far. Neither pair have any different stitches for seams and then for the band's. I just did a basic straight stitching. Yet there are different threads for different fabrics and there are different stitch techniques for those fabrics. It is all amazing and a bit daunting at the same time! I'm so very grateful for your channel ,Evelyn. Your channel helps me a lot. Thank you!
After 40 years of sewing (badly) I learned a lot of handy stitches and ideas from quilting techniques. I started with dog coats and then placemats and found these both were actually quilting and learned so many new ways to do things from quilts - even though they are simple and not dressmaking, they have made my dressmaking more pleasurable.
So many ideas about sewing, about techniques, styles, I, too, get overawed by it. I am a basic novice as well. It all seems pretty scary.
😂 Without knowing that this was an actual trick, I did this to a dress 3 months ago because the pattern didn't tell me how to hold the facing down! I feel so proud of myself now ☺️
😄 You should be!!
These little tricks improved the quality of my sewing exponentially, just like Evelyn always says 😊 it’s amazing how much better the garment looks after it
Quilters use the "stitch in the ditch" method on many, many areas of a quilt. It is a wonderful technique when properly mastered and executed.
I will frequently hand "ditch stitch" if I am not sure the machine stitch will be invisible. It is another option if new dressmakers have trouble sewing a straight line. These are so informative, thanks Evelyn!
Thanks for the tip. I never thought of doing that.
Ah! Thank you SEW MUCH! 😄 A little embaressed to say Ive seen this on patterns and have always just skipped it because I had no idea what that meant. You gave me a total lightbulb moment! Makes so much sense now
I'm so glad to hear you have seen the light now! 🤣
Thank you! Since subscribing to your channel I have made two shell shirts, two skirts, two blouses and re placed the zipper in a coat!
Aww wonderful!! I'm really glad to hear that you've been inspired so much! Sewing is such a wonderful hobby right!!
I have stitched in the ditch many times, but always on a quilt or quilted project! Glad for this hint.
I never thought of stitching in the ditch for clothing, but I do it often in quilting. I have a stitch in the ditch foot for my sewing machine. I will definitely use this now for clothes sewing. Thanks for another great video! I learn so much from you!
This is the first time I've ever seen you with straight hair and it's very endearing. As someone who has not set their hair in several days now! :)
I love stitching in the ditch for my skirt waistbands. I learned how many years ago, when my mother had a wonderful seamstress make a wool skirt for me. I saw that she had used the selvedge of the wool instead of turning under the waistband on the inside and then stitched right in the very seam on the outside. The result was a very cleanly made waistband with no bulk.
I still have that skirt which is part of a three piece suite, and one other she made for me. Through the years I have gone to those suits for examples of great sewing techniques. I heartily recommend examining well-made clothing as a way to learn about how beautiful sewing is done. Garments often have a story to tell; a story we can use to better our own sewing.
Today, I always finish my waistbands that way, with one simple change. I bind the edge of the waistband with a very narrow binding or even a Hong Kong finish. I use a one layer of a very lightweight fabric for the binding cut on the bias so as not to introduce bulk.
I don’t like using the selvedge on a garment which will be laundered multiple times throughout its life, if that bias might shrink.
Oh! I knew what this was, but thought I’d never used it, until you mentioned using it on elastic in castings, and I realized I did this on the elastic casings of the shorts I made do my kids, because I hate it when the elastic rolls.
I've heard of stich-in-the-ditch, but I've never had the various applications so clearly explained. I can think of a few garments that can be improved with this little trick!
Yeah, it was mentioned in my sewing machine manual and I had no idea what it was for. Perhaps they mentioned it in context of the zipper foot, as well. I will have to check next time.
Thanks for again teaching an old sewer new tricks. I use the stitch frequently in quilting but never thought to use it for garments. Light bulb moment.
I have been directed to use this, and I did it, but I had no clue WHY I was supposed to. Thank you so much!
Yes! I absolutely do use “stitching in the ditch” on facing and waistband seams. It’s such a useful technique and I have a special edge stitching foot for my machine which has a blade at the front to precisely guide and control the positioning of the stitching into that seam “valley”. As you say, matching thread makes it pretty much invisible from the right side.
I just discovered my foot.
This was explained so well. My pattern told me to "stitch in the ditch" for the cuffs of the sleeves. Didn't give any instruction as to what that meant. Its makes sense now, thank you.
I thank God for you everyday 💗🙏
Oh my goodness ! I have not ever thought to stitch in the ditch on garments and since returning to sewing for self, the valuable points you present have totally changed my methods and approach. Thank you for this great tip!
My pleasure!! 😀
Yet another video full of knowledge, examples and no-nonsense approach. I have heard of the 'stitch in a ditch' before but never managed to fathom what it actually means :) Thank you! Last time I sew a waistband I finished it by hand, but defo going to try the ditch stitching next.
I’m in the minority, having learned this as a quilting technique. I never realized this is what kept elastic waistbands from twisting- I’m excited to use this on my next skirt.
I love your channel !! You are Thorough and clear with all of your instructions . I’m a new sewer and if I’m stuck on something I always look for the answer on your channel . Thanks so much !!
I have used it when tacking facings down at the shoulder seams. I stitch the whole length. I never thought about just doing it a short distance to tack. Your tip of stretching the seam while stitching is very helpful. Thanks !
I'm glad it helped!! 😃
stitch in the ditch makes such nice neat waistbands....if you can actually sew in a straight line. a different foot works miracles but I still always have bits on the underside that aren't caught up! I've seen the facings tacked through the seam on pre-made garments but didn't ever think to do it on my own. thank you!
I first learned about stitching in the ditch in a video by Pixielocks and I thought it looked so neat, but I didn't understand what it was and how to do it. I googled it, but it was very hard to find decent information (because this video didn't exist yet). With some trial and error I managed to figure it out and it is now my go to technique for waistbands. I think it is pretty easy to do and looks so nice.
I kind of make very wide bias tape for a waist band (wide strip of fabric with two edges folded over and ironed), but I make sure that I don't fold it in half exactly, but one side is just a smidge longer. I sew the shorter side to the skirt good sides together. Then I fold the waistband over as one would with bias tape and stitch in the ditch to secure the waistband in the back. Because the waistband is just a smidge longer in the back, I'm sure to catch it when stitching in the ditch.
I'm very glad there is now a good resource for what stitching in the ditch actually is! Thank you for making it!
I am learning so much here and look forward to ditch stitching very soon. ;=)
I'm familiar with stitching in the ditch from quilting but have never used it in dressmaking in this way. What a great idea. I shall definitely be doing this on future garments.
Thank you for another great video.
I'm loving your vids on Understitching & Stay stitching too.
Also love the stripey outfit you're wearing.
I learned about this when I was (and still am) learning quilting. Thanks for including the additional ways we can use this.
Thanks so much, I wondered about this stitch but no one else has mentioned it. Love your videos!👏👏👍🤩😊
I took sewing lessons this summer with a local sewing shop. They were video tutorials and one of the projects called for stitch in the ditch. So yes, I have done it!!
Thank you so much! I could not understand the term, nor could I find a good explanation, until I found you! You explained it so well! Now it's clear as a bell and I am so jazzed to have added another tool to my belt❣
Ahaa! Now the penny’s dropped. Brill. Thank you so much!
Oh you sneaky sneak! 😂. In your video, I saw you using the zipper foot to align closely to the ditch. Off I go… to try this out! ❤❤❤
Thanks I’ve never heard of this technique
Plenty more useful information from you there, Evelyn ! Thanks for all the sharing you do.
Thanks for watching Rosa! 😄
This was very helpful! I've done a bit of stitching in the ditch, somewhat successfully, but I think knowing when to iron will make all the difference. Thank you!
My first time hearing about ditch stitching and am sure glad I heard about it now ☺️
Used in quilting, often called stitch in the ditch. Had not thought to apply to my clothing construction. Will be sure to try that
I also quilt, and sometimes refer to it as stitch in the B!tch, or some sort of rhyming variation. I use it for machine sewing my bindings andf langes because my old arthritic hands don't do much hand sewing any more! You woudn't think it would be difficult to sew on straight line, but it is!
I love having your videos in my skills library at the back of my mind :) I recently tried out understitching on the pocket of an apron. It was totally overkill for an apron pocket whose understitched seam wouldn't be seen, but it was really fun to try out that technique on a nice simple straight seam before using it on more complicated projects in future :) Thank you for your whole channel! It's an amazing resource!
Also, seeing your hair straight instead of in perfect curls reveals that you are indeed human! Thanks to my new covid hair length, curls are just falling out of mine, and I am living my life in limp sadness lol
I wish I'd known this when I did my last dress! I hand sewed the waistband on the inside because I didn't want to topstitch it. I did use the technique of understitching that I learned from your videos. Thank you so much for these videos, they are really improving my sewing!
Your video are so comprehensive. Thank you ❤
First time-love it and plan to use it 😍
As usual, your descriptions are so clear and helpful! Thank you! 🪡
Perfect timing. I was just starting to hear about stitching in the ditch from the quilting side of things. As always, you have a great way of hitting all the details that are often overlooked, even with simple things like pulling the seam open while doing it. Thank you!
😄 I'm glad to hear that!!
Useful tip thank you, I have never heard of ditch stitch - but will use it on facings. 💕
This is great way to hold facings & elastic in place. I do this ALL the time!
I keep learning new methods to perfect my sewing....Thank you especially for the tips on underwriting and pressing and now Ditch stitching...😀👐🏾
I use Stitch in the ditch more for quilting than clothing. Do use it when hemming men's cuffed dress slacks to keep the cuffs in place.
Thanks! I’ve heard about this used in quilt making but have never tried it- yet- as I haven’t made any quilts. I wasn’t aware of its uses in sewing garments until now. Can’t wait to try it! Wonderful video!
Thanks Evelyn! I never knew you could use this stitch on regular garments and I also never knew how to do it correctly.
I have never heard the term ditch stitching before, but I have done this technique a lot in the past. Thanks for sharing. Now I can give it a name.
I think it is so much more useful knowing the names, ans knowing it is 'a thing', then you can choose where you want it!
Wow, I didn’t know about it and I have a few years of sewing! Thank you! 😊
My mom used to call it “cracking the seam”, but it is the same thing. 😀
This is great. I have a store bought shirt with elastic under the but and I constantly have to straighten it out. I will definitely try this on that top.
I always have a problem with flopping facings as I like to sew silk. This stitch is amazing & I have never heard of it, but will certainly use it from now on thanks Evelyn.
As a quilter I use the ditch stich. Now I now that I can use it on my clothes.
Brilliant! Thank you soo much for these clear explanations for crucial tips for professional finishes
I've just found you, it's like a school for me, thank you so much
I've avoided stitching in the ditch for waist bands because I struggled to do it neatly, but I notice you used a zipper foot. So yes, armed with a zipper foot I will try the ditch stitch again... it has to be faster than hand sewing waist band from the inside.
Yes this is a good alternative method. Yoy can get special feet for ditch stitching too, mostly for quilters, but try the zipper foot!
@@Evelyn__WoodThere is a special foot for ditch stitching? I will have to look into that. I’m struggling to make a neat ditch stitch with a 1/4inch double fold bias tape. That is what brought me to this video.
its my first time that i learn that ...it seems nice...and makes the stitching stronger
I watch all sort of sewing type videos and saw the ditch stitch used in quilting. I must admit I thought it somehow strengthened the seams. Recently I have been following a brilliant site called craft 2315 where a wonderful Indian or Bangledeshi lady makes bags (no voice over/CC) As I watched I thought the bags might benefit from a ditch stitch to strengthen and neaten the seams. Here I am down the rabbit hole (RUclips) and found you. I saw all the things you explained and was so enthralled. I had no idea. Great instructable about Stitch/Ditch.
Thank you for this video!❤️ I was looking for a way to keep the elastic in the casing of my daughter's skirts from rolling up. I didn't want to sew through it all around because I'm planning on letting the elastic out a bit as she grows. The ditch stitching will be so much easier to unpick 😁
I am actually busy with a "ditched stitch" at the moment, just did not know it had a name, and I have absolutely no idea where I learnt it from😂. Stitching a waistbaind on a wrap around skirt and it just made sense🤔
This was so helpful! I recently made some simple dresses and the facing on the underarms flip up every time I put it on, so annoying! Definitely going to add this stitch to my repatoire 😆💖
I use it a lot because I sew patchwork blocks and this is the easiest way to quilt the final project... I don't sew clothes YET.
Thank you for this
I love your videos, they are so instructive. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge! I only just started watching your videos a small while ago and already my sewing has improved!!
I never get tired of hearing this! Thankyou! Happy sewing 😄
Thank you so much, Evelyn. I just took up tailoring classes. These are so helpful!
I always hated facings because they would fly up. Obviously none of my garments had either understitching or ditch stiching and for a while I wanted to bind everything to avoid facings but now I am coming back around to facings now I know they can be tamed.
Oh! Can't wait to try this. Unrelated, do you have a video about that skirt in the background? I'm obsessed with it and the way it gathers in the front. 😍
😀 It is not one I made, I think I bought it maybe 10 years ago! It is sunray knife pleats!
@@Evelyn__Wood thank you!
do tell us a story on the new hair do, sure is changing your look a bit, love it!!
I few people have also spotted this Kandys! perhaps I will make a post about it for those interested... yes a changing in style, I've been experimenting with styling the last few weeks...
@@Evelyn__Wood wondering if it is also changing your clothing style as well? i'm sure there are many of us interested in all things Evelyn Wood !!
Great tutorial! I'll definitely use this for my shirtdress project for fashion school. Thank you!
😀 Wonderful!! I hope it helps!
Thank you, this is very helpful 🙌🏼
Use ditch stitching all the time for facings. Also use to keep drawstrings from pulling uneven.. Only seen reference to ditch stitching on one a recent simplicity pattern.
For facing I hand stitch at the seams. Been doing it that way since I was a child.
My garment was slightly off in the under part of the garment and I felt so bad for weeks, couldn't finish my project, thank you for saying it is ok if it's not perfect at the bottom 🤣 I nearly died
I’ve done on my own and didn’t know it was thing lol I’m still a beginner though - thank you 😊
My attempt to machine stitch in the ditch was a failure. I couldn't get my old Elna SU to stay in the ditch because of the 4 layers of lightweight wool that were the waistband, were too high a lump for the feed dogs. Solved the problem by stitching down the waistband by hand, with tiny back stitches in the ditch, which made a lovely look on the right side. No stitching visible at all.
Stitch in the ditch is a real problem for me. I would love to see a video on how to properly pin down a collar or facing so that when you "stitch in the ditch" on the outside of the garment, the collar will be attached on the underside. I often find my collars are still open on the inside after I've "stitched in the ditch" and I end up having to hand-sew them down.
Cute as ever like always. Hi from Texas Cowboy
New to me. Love it! Thank you 😊
Thank you. I'd never heard of this one before. Would a hand-sewn ditch stitch work?
I've never heard of ditch stitching before. I understand the need for it, but I think I might try a few hand stitches instead.
What I really want to know, though, is how you get those marvelous curls, you usually have - I always just assumed, they were your natural hair texture!
What technique/products do you use, to get these small, defined ringlets?
I really love the look, but am only able to achieve it, with a really thin curling iron.
Thank you I will do it to all my clothing
I ADORE YOU!!!
Luv this! 💖🧵💖 Thank you for sharing. 💖🧐✨
Excellent tutorial
Thank you
I learned this stitch while doing alterations at a bridal shop.
😀 I bet you did! I also worked in bridal alterations for many years! I bet you learnt alot about garment construction like I did!
Evelyn Wood Oh, I did learn a lot. I can’t say I enjoyed the job (due to the bosses), but I did learn more doing that than anywhere else. It is where I first learned of industrial sewing machines and why I have a straight stitch and walking foot.
Thank you for the reply. I love your videos and adore your style. I grew up in the “vintage” era you represent. Although I do like contemporary fashion, that era rocks!
Evelyn, do I need a special foot for Stitch in the ditch? Janelily UK.
Loving your work and your explanations as always.
I would love a video on how to gather fabric. I find it very difficult to gather evenly. I often end up with one part of the dress gathered much more than the other. And even if i place the gathering very carefully and iron it, when i sew it i still often push the folds into one direction flattening them down.
Lilly Tenshi I feel your frustration with gathering. I have countered it by doing pleats instead of, if possible. I know that’s not always possible.
@@jeancronyn2835 Pleats are wonderful and i do struggle much less with them. But i love gathered skirts they just look completely different. Although i do cheat as well using pleats as much as i can. But i also struggle with gathered sleeves etc.
I often just use an elastic to avoid having to gather and fix the gathers.
Thanks for watching!! Gathers can bre tricky! What is the method you have tried? And what kind of fabric? I might just add it to the video list 😉
Lilly Tenshi I agree. There are many times, I prefer gathers, too. But I’m always glad when the pattern calls for pleats over gathering. I’ve been doing a lot of little girl’s dresses with gathering lately and it can be frustrating. Which, of course, means I need to practice more . . . 🥴😊
I don't really ever have problems with gathering. My first sewing project was a slip for my cabbage patch doll and it had 2 tiers of gathering. Maybe it's the seamstress in my blood, both grandmothers made clothes for their families and other people all the time. I tend to learn new techniques pretty easily. Except darts. I'm not sure why, but I usually end up with uneven darts and have to redo them several times.
I'm hoping you can demonstrate how to shorten a wrap around dress skirt. It has a curve on each front side. Any help or advice would be appreciated.
So helpful thanks
Hello. I have this beautiful vintage coat (40s or 50s) in wool which sadly has no lining. As I was going through it I realised it has a waistband that has been cut between all the panels, probably when they removed the old lining. As I never re-lined a vintage garment or any garment for that matter, I wonder what the function of this waistband might have been. My guess is that the lining was attached to the waistband to prevent it from sliding when the coat was worn but I would like to hear from people with more experience on this.