LONGARM MACHINE QUILTING - Choosing a Path for Efficient Stitch in the Ditch

Sometimes choosing the best path for stitching in the ditch can be a challenge, but I always find it a fun puzzle to figure out in my head. Sometimes it takes trial and error and I may not get the best path down until I've already tried some less effective ones, but the goal is to be as efficient with stops and starts and with as little backtracking as possible.
michaelquilts.com
My Rulers can be found here:
michaelquilts....
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[@glendak4093]

When you do ruler work, how do you decide what to charge?

[@michael.quilts]

Hi Glenda. Good question. Ruler work typically takes much longer to quilt than free-motion. Often times double or triple the time. If it seems as though I will have very heavy ruler work, I sometimes charge by the hour instead of square inch. I will let customer know ahead of time. Hope this helps. Happy Quilting! Michael

[@snickerbuckle]

Do you keep the thread on the dark fabric even if the ditch is on the other side? I struggle with that decision when I’m using thread that contrasts with half the piecing.

[@michael.quilts]

When there is huge contrast, like on this quilt, I do try to keep on the side that matches thread the best - even if it's the bulkier side, as long as much machine handles it okay. So sometimes her seams were pressed toward the dark and sometimes not. My goal was to either be on the dark or get right into the seam itself as if it were pressed open (have to match sure the stitch used for piecing length is short and tight for this). But really - if I had to stitch dark onto a light side, I would try to be really straight and consistent. Easier said than done, right? Hope that helps - it's always something we have to consider with those high conrtast quilt colors.

[@Westernwilson]

@@michael.quilts On that note, do you prefer, as a longarm quilter, that seams are pressed open? I would think that makes ditch quilting a bit easier? As a piecer I am a fan of open pressed seams whenever possible, but the quilter may feel differently!

[@michael.quilts]

@@Westernwilson I do prefer that seams are pressed open for ease of quilting, yes. However - sometimes pressed to one side makes more sense while piecing and overall construction, so I understand and work with that as well. But yes - I prefer seams pressed open for quilting and as long as the stitch length is not huge, the quilt still maintains perfect integrity. my opinion anyway.