lisajane

I love to quilt both hand and SORTA machine. I have made lap quilts by both methods. I have got quite a few tops that I have pieced by machine, BUT my problem is I am so affraid of machine quilting, it is awkward, I have a tendency to get tucks on the back that need to be seam rippered, and it is so bulky. Is there a good method for machine quilting? I have took some classes over the years, but by the time it is time to quilt it, you take it home to finish. I would love to be confident when it comes to machine quilting, but I am just not. I see some beautiful free style quilting but I get all nervy when I go to do it, I do not know why. I guess the thought of completing a whole quilt only to find 10 tucks on the back that need to be ripped out makes my stomach churn. Anybody got any sure fire solutions, I do baste, but to no avail.

sueisallaboutquilts

I'm also a scaredy cat!! I will watch this post. I've always hand quilted.

Crqltr

I had the same problem, now I clamp my backing, bat and the top to my quilt table and use a lot of pins to keep it from shifting. Works better for me that way.

Buckeye Rose

Have you tried spray basting instead of pinning? I am rather new to the process, but I have never had any issues of tucks on the backside using spray. As long as you start with a smooth backing, you will end up with a smooth backing!

leatheflea

Do I have to tell the story of the little engine that could?

lisajane

I have bought spray basteing, but never used it. I don't know why, but I just haven't. Does it make your material hard for your needles to sew?

almostfree

This is an interesting topic....I will continue to watch, too, because I am NOT good at FMQ and have also found tucks on some of my things. UGh! It does make your stomach churn. Have never tried spray basting.....might have to try it.

lisajane

I think I can, I think I can. LOL

Gramie bj

When I started to machine quilt my instructer told us there should be no more than 4 inches between any two pins. It is a lot easier to remove a couple of extra pins than to use the ripper.

dublb

Try spray basting. Also try some practice quilts to build your confidence. I've mostly done just SID & the spray basting has worked fine for that. Now I'm practicing for my new DGS quilt. I want to do some swirls.