Problems with puckering
 

Hi I am hand quilting a full size quilt on a hoop. I have to quilt with my fabric fairly loose on the hoop because if I quilt with the fabric very tight it hurts my thumb. While I've read it is good to quilt with your fabric loose I've noticed at times I have trouble with the backing fabric either puckering or wanting to pucker. I basted with safty pins and pinned about every 4 to 6 inches. Any suggestions?

Debbie Feavel
Hand Quiltin Grammy

Pin 3" should help

Make sure that when you are pin basting that the backing fabric is taped down tight (not stretched, but tight, not loose at all), and I agree that pinning a bit more closely (4" at the most) would likely help.

Pin basting is used a lot when machine quilting, but for hand quilting it's actually better to thread baste. I would recommend thread basting in-between the pins you already have in the quilt to secure the layers better without interfering with the hoop.

That was going to be my recommendation. I would also take the pins out because the thread tends to get tangled up in the pins. Smooth out your back and rehoop leaving it slightly loose (not too tight and not too loose) :)

I agree with Tartan I do the same thing. I hand quilt in a hoop and I have it taught then I push in the center. I'm not afraid to adjust pins either and I have never had a pucker!!....yet lol I'm OCD not perfect.. I have more issues with the thread catching on the hoop versus pins but i do start off with a lot of thread. hope you solve it.

I pin-baste about the same distance as you. After I adjust my hoop to the area I'm quilting, I'll usually pull the backing fabric just a bit tighter in all directions possible to prevent the puckers. Most time this works. I'll sometimes get a tiny pucker but by the time it's washed/dried, you'd never notice.

I appreciate all the suggestions. I've never thread basted and I'm not sure how to do it. But I can see where it would in some ways be better than pin basting. I am sure these suggestions will help out a lot. Thanks again.

Try Sharon Schambers thread basting method.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhwNy...e_gdata_player

Since I have physical limitations that would be the only way I would be able to do the basting. Thank you.

What size pins are you using
When you pin baste do you close each pin when inserted or do you leave them until an area is pinned.
If you close them when inserting into the layers there is a tendency for the back to pucker a bit.
Also if you base on a table (and yes you can baste a large quilt on a small table) then stretch the backing and clamp to the edge of the table to keep it tight. Do the same when you reposition. Also, as stated above, don't close pins until you have an area pinned and then close