I know I haven't been quilting for long (1year) and i am totally addicted however, the last 2 quilts that I have done have ended up puckering when I SID. I am a pinner (and usually use too many pins), not a spray baster and perhaps that is my problem. Maybe I am stretching the fabric when I SID, I am not sure, however, I am really peeved. I take a lot of care when I piece the tops and so am nearly in tears when this happens. The latest one isn't as puffed up as the one before but none the less I am still dissapointed in the end product. I don't want to be a topper only and take all my quilts to be quilted (I couldn't afford it anyway)and I am not a quitter...so what tips can you give me to help me overcome my problems. Thanks very much for taking the time to help out a fellow quilter.

Well, personally I like to spray baste but with a light hand. Then I pin to, just for extra security. I have found because I do spray with such a light touch that some of the backing fabric will slip if I don't pin in spots. To much spray baste and you have other issues.

Are you slightly stretching your backing while pinning? It should be taut, or you could get puckers. This applies for any kind of basting, pinning, spray or sewn stitches :D
Some of us like to starch our backings too, it helps prevent puckers also :D:D:D

Spray baste and a walking foot... it made all the differnce in the world to my SID.
Once I get the backing and the backing and the batting layer together I take a cool iron( no steam) and smooth it all out backing side up. This also helps the spray baste to grip all of the fabric. I repeat then with the top. I have been pucker free since I started doing this.
I do still but some pins on the perimeter just to keep it from lifting with all the repositioning.

When you pin, do you make sure your backing is slightly stretched before you add the batting and top? If not, you can get puckers. You said you use 'too many pins'. They should be 3-4 inches apart. Also, when you SID, do you start from the center? You should start at the center and sew out to each of the 4 sides to get it stablized, then continue to work from the center as you complete your quilting.

What batting are you using? If it is a thick, or high loft batting, that might be causing the puckers. I have found that using needle punch cotton, such as Warm and Natural is the best for machine quilting. It is the perfect choice for spray basting.

Are you taping the backing fabric taut before layering? Not stretching it, but making sure it's just nice and flat and not wrinkled.

And pins are good. Saftey pins and then sometimes I also put some straight pins in if I'm sewing long straight lines.

There are lots of different things you can try. Maybe there's an experienced quilter that can help you layer your next quilt and give you some tips in person. There's nothing like in person and hands on instruction to make things go more smoothly and easier.

i really don't like using sprays---i pin- lay the backing out smooth- but not stretched- then the batting nice and smooth- not stretched- then the top=== pin at least every 4" in a grid (with any luck not where your quilting lines will be-if you can lessen the pressure on your machine foot- or use a walking foot-
and perhaps lengthen your stitch length- if your stitches are really tiny that can cause it too.
take it slow and steady
that's all the tips i can think of at the moment...
personally i hate using the walking foot- but my machine has settings to change the (weight-pressure) of the foot on the fabric-

do you close the pins when you put them in or after you get a few in the fabric.
If you are closing the pins when you insert them that could be causing some of your problems. It is better to pin a section but not close and then go back and close.
also as you quilt, be aware of the back by putting hand underneith the quit and smooth it our and make sure all layers are smooth. Little difficult with a large quilt but you can do it.

Neither. I use Sharon Schamber's method. Once you baste it using her method it doesn't shift or pucker at all. She has two videos on youtube that show her method.

I just got done with pin basting a quilt about a hour ago.
I like to lay out my backing on the carpet in the family room and pin the edges all around it using safety pins, slightly taunt. I mean sticking the pins actually in the carpet to hold it, I had tried taping down in the kitchen and it didn't work for me. I then spray it with adhesive, lay down the batting, then the top and pin it all together, careful not to get the carpet. I divide the quilt up in quarters and only do that much at a time. I always had puckers before doing it this way.

Mary