Stitch in the Ditch Foot. How to Use it and Where to Buy it.

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If you are here is because you want to know how to use that pretty and helpful tool called the Stitch in the Ditch Foot.

Well, you haven’t could come to a better place. 

In this post, I will explain all you need to know about using this presser foot to achieve the perfect Stitch in the ditch with both videos and writing.

stitch in the ditch foot

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You can find the Stitch in the Ditch Foot with many other names. Some of these names are, for example, the ditch quilting foot, edge joining foot, or Edge Foot.

This presser foot is one of the most popular ones to make perfect topstitching between the seams of fabric patchwork. But it can also be used for many other applications in sewing.

Some of those applications are understitching or joining two pieces of fabric side by side. 

You will find, though, that most people use them for quilting. This helps to bind appropriately with invisible stitching between the seams of the blocks.

So, are you ready to discover how fantastic this foot can be? Let’s do this.

What is a Stitch in the Ditch Foot?

stitch in the ditch foot

The Stitch in the ditch foot is one of the most popular presser feet available for your home sewing machine. Quilters mainly use it to stitch in the ditch.

You can also use it to combine two different fabric’s edges, make understitching, join lace or trim, and sew a clean bias tape to the edge of any fabric.

The Stitch in the ditch presser foot is also known as the edge joining foot or the edge presser foot.

What does the Stitch in the ditch foot look like?

The Stitch in the ditch foot is a universal snap-on presser foot. It has a small and thin metal blade in the center.

This guide will help you remain in the crease or right in the center of the piece of fabric you are stitching or binding.

This presser foot also has marking guides on one of the sides. These are perfect for measuring your corners while sewing.

Do you need a walking foot to stitch in the ditch?

The Stitch in the Ditch Foot must not be confused with the walking foot. 

There are techniques that allow you to make a stitch in the ditch seam with a walking foot. But this presser foot is made for something other than this purpose. 

It was important to say this before continuing with the post.

What presser foot is best for Stitch in the ditch?

I will always give you the same recommendation that your sewing machine’s manual will provide you with. 

The best presser feet for your machines are the ones with the same brand. Or the ones that have to be made, especially for the approved list of your sewing machine’s brand. 

That is why I will leave you a list of the different brands you can find this presser foot. This depends on your sewing machine.

Presser Feet Kits 

And now that I have given you the correct and responsible recommendation. I will share with you that I don’t actually follow my advice on these topics.

I love to save money when it comes to sewing tools. I found that buying sewing tools in bulk is cheaper than doing them individually. 

And when it comes to presser feet, that can’t be the exception. 

That is why when I noticed the need to have several presser feet for sewing, I decided to buy the 72 sewing presser feet kit. 

Now, these presser feet are universal, so they will fit all or most sewing machines, like a brother, singer, Janome, Juki, and others using the snap-on feature.

I grant they are not from a famous brand (or an actual brand?). But I have had this kit for over six years without any issues.

But you can also find other kits like the one from Madam Sew, with over 2 thousand positive reviews, or the one backed up by amazon choice with the same amount of good reviews.

These later two come with fewer pieces. On the other hand, they promise excellent quality. 

To clarify, please consider your options and the recommended advice when you choose your presser feet.

What are the best seams to use when stitching in the ditch?

To make a perfect stitch on the ditch seam, use a longer-length straight stitch of about 3.5 to 4 points. This works best for topstitching.

For understitching, use the same length you are using for the rest of the sewing project.

If you want to use this presser foot for joining edges, you can use a zigzag, a feather, or a blanket stitch with 4.5 or greater width.

How to use the Stitch in the Ditch Foot?

To use the Stitch in the ditch foot, change your regular presser foot for the Stitch in the ditch one using the snap-on feature on your sewing machine.

This technique will work best with open seam allowances, but depending on the project, they can only be pressed to one side. Use your favorite pressing tool to press the seams of your project open.

Select a stitch length between 3.5 to 4. 

how to use a stitch in the ditch foot

Place the layers of the backing, batting, and top fabrics above each other.

Firstly, align the blade of the foot right between the patchwork seams. After that, position the needle in a centered position and use the hand wheel to slowly lower it with your hand to see if it falls between the seams.

how do you stitch in the ditch

However, if this is not the case, move it to the left or the right side until it is. 

Start stitching and guiding the fabric’s seams with the foot’s blade. 

Other uses for the Stitch in the ditch foot. 

Join Fabric Edges with a Stitch in the Ditch Foot.

joining edges foot

To join the edges of two fabrics with this presser foot, you must have two straight edges with a folded hem. This hem can be single or double-folded.

Place each folded edge on each side of the blade of the foot.

Select a stitch that can catch both sides of each fabric, such as a zigzag or a feather stitch. In other words, any seam that will go from one side to the other.

Make sure that the width of the stitch is wide enough for the needle to catch both sides of the fabric pieces safely.

Start sewing guiding the fabrics through the feeding dogs making sure the fabrics won’t overlap with each other during the stitching.

Joining Lace or Trim with a Stich in the Ditch Foot.

joining lace

The Stitch in the ditch foot is great for adding any type of lace or trim to the edge or hems of your sewing projects.

To do so, place the hem of your fabric piece on one side of the foot’s blade and the lace on the other.

I recommend using a blanket stitch for this technique with a stitch width of 5 points. 

Start sewing aligning the two materials on each side of the blade, and make sure that the needle catches both sides to join them.

Sewing Bias Tape with a Stich in the Ditch Foot.

Sewing Bias tape with stitch in the ditch

You can use the understitching technique to get the perfect clean seam when you sew bias tape on the edges of your fabrics.

You have to use one of my 3 sewing bias tape sewing techniques to do so. The clean one.

First, you must sew one side of the bias tape on the right side of the fabric. Then fold the rest of the tape towards the back of the fabric.

You must ensure that the tape’s back part covers the first seam you made. As a result, the needle will sew the understitch right above this seam and must catch the back of the tape.

Secure the bias tape with pins and align the presser foot on the right side of the fabric, the seams of the fabric, and the bias tape. 

Start sewing and check that the needle falls precisely between the seams of the project, above all. 

Waistband understitching with a stitch in the ditch foot.

understitching a wasitband

A clean waistband is the best proof of quality a bottom garment can have. Therefore, you must have the perfect understitching. A stitch that secures the waistband from the front to the back in an almost invisible way.

To create the ideal understitching, use your Stitch in the ditch foot by aligning the blade between the seams.

Make sure that the back part of the waistband covers the first seam. Then, start sewing securing at the beginning and a the end with a backstitch.

I hope this tutorial was helpful to you. Do you have questions? Please write them in the comment box below so I can do my best to help you with it.

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