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.

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

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.

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!

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

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?

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.

I think I can, I think I can. LOL

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.

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.