I have quilted my quilts in the past, and it is NOT my favorite things to do, and was wondering how to PREVENT getting TUCKS in the front and back of the quilt, and how to keep everything flat and smooth, front and back. Alot of the times, the quilt looks like it needs pressing and there are lumps and puffy sections, noticable on the back especially. I start quilting in the center and stitch outward, but the "stretchiness" is really evident in the back......any suggestions? There are just too many "gaps" of non stitching that are noticable to me..Thanks - Oh! I use my Janome 5000 or my Designer 1 for quilting...I need a long arm. huh?

I did all my FMQ on my designer 1 before I got my long arm, and I still use it for small items. I really think that preparing the sandwich is a big part of getting a good result. If you tape the backing down and get it just taut, not stretched, and use LOTS of pins, you get a good result. I have the spring foot, and there's a special setting in the tool menu for use with this foot.

i have just one little trick that works for me...i have just one little machine. My Kenmore. i love it. it's just a simple machine. so i keep my quilting simple. people are going to use my quilts. (not for show or art purposes.) Well, here's my tip....i lay my batting out and smooth and flat. usually on the spare bed. and i do that for a couple of days before i layer quilt. and it really seems to help with the wrinkles and bumps. it gives the batting time to relax. then i just layer and pin and quilt.

I used to hate quilting my tops as the dreaded tucks were inevitable . Once I discovered spray basting they were a thing of the past. I do use my walking foot , that in combination with spray basting cured my really bad case of tucks .

Starching the back and using spray baste has helped me eliminate puckers on the back. I tape the back to a table, then spray baste the batting to the back and smooth it out well. Then spread the top, fold it back and spray baste that the same way.

I bought a longarm because I couldn't do it either. When hand quilting I used to put it over a large table and starting in the center I safety pinned it. I quilted from the center out

You use your walking foot to quilt with?

The secret to good quilting is to get your quilt basted really well. I use Sharon Schamber's method. You can find it on youtube. I never quilt from the center out either.

When I pin basted I put the pins 4-fingers apart.

Yes , when quilting straight lines a walking foot is the best choice. If you are doing curves , then a Free Motion foot ( or darning foot) is the best choice.

Spray basting helps. Starching also helps a *lot*.

I heavily starch the backing fabric before sandwiching. My method for yardage is to mix a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water, "paint" it on using a large wall painting brush until the fabric is saturated, toss in dryer, then iron with steam.

I also starch the top, but for that I use spray starch.

Starching stabilizes the fabric so it doesn't distort while you are working with it. Spray basting helps keep all the layers together so one fabric doesn't stretch more than the other.

When sandwiching, it's important not to stretch the backing. You want it lying perfectly flat, but not stretched tight like a drum. If you clamp or tape a stretched backing down, once you unclamp or untape the fabric will spring back to its normal tension, creating excess in the top and batting.

I have started putting the quilt top down first then batting then the backing. i pin and flip over and pin the heck out of it. Less wrinkles for me that way!

Smooth, smooth, smooth, pin, pin, pin is the only way I get good results. Be careful not to stretch anything.

Once I discovered spray basting, I do not have any issues with tucks on backside or anywhere else. The fabrics do not shift or stretch as they are held in place far better than you could ever think about by pinning.

Maybe that is what I am doing subconsciently - stretching. The quilting is a hit or miss until I found out for SURE what mistakes I have been doing. Pressing vs ironing is another one that stretches the fabric....maybe I should be completely awake when I sew? haha Thanks for your suggestions.

I just took a FMQ class and we were taught to use the FM foot for ALL quilting. . .

I think they each have their place. I like the walking foot for cross hatch. It's got that little bar attachment guide.