pucker up baby!
#11
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
Have you tried stitching from the center out? This will tend to push excess fabric towards the edge. Also, have you tried reducing the presser foot pressure?
As far as enough pins, you should not be able to put your fist on the quilt without touching a pin, so like 3-4 inches apart in all directions.
As far as enough pins, you should not be able to put your fist on the quilt without touching a pin, so like 3-4 inches apart in all directions.
#12
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,533
It is hard not to get pucker at intersecting lines. I kind of make a frame with my hands in my Machinger gloves as I go over those spots. I like Hobbs80/20 fusible quilt batt and lately I have been using the Elmer's washable glue. I always do the back fusing last making sure it is nice and flat. I give it a press with the iron to dry the glue also. It will look a little wrinkly on the front by doing the back last but since I can see the front while quilting, it works better for me.
#13
Power Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,127
You didn't say what kind of batting you are using. I have always used Hobbs 80/20. I make sure there is a pin every 4 inches (measure using my palm with fingers folded). There is also to consider that when you pin basted, you might have pulled the backing slightly too tight. If you have a LQS, I would pop in and see what advice they can give you.
#14
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Yes, after the top has been pieced. If the top is ironed flat and placed on a sheet for the multiple layers of spray starch, you may not need to press again but you can certainly press again if you want to, or if the top needs it.
#15
I may not be pinning enough. I should have said smooth top rather than taut. I'm using poly batting as it's way more economical for me, at less than a third of the price of cotton/poly blend. I also don't have a large area for basting to I either have to do it in sections on the floor, or use my bed (which makes keeping everything smooth a bit challenging). I just have a cheap sewing machine with a generic walking foot, so no doubt that's also part of my issue.
I know my inexperience is mostly the issue. It's reassuring to know I'm not alone in struggling with this.
For glue basting, do you daub or spray? I tried daubing, I'm wondering if diluting it a bit and spraying would give me better results in keeping anything from shifting on me.
Thanks for all the wonderful advice. I'm learning!...the hard way, but I am learning!
I know my inexperience is mostly the issue. It's reassuring to know I'm not alone in struggling with this.
For glue basting, do you daub or spray? I tried daubing, I'm wondering if diluting it a bit and spraying would give me better results in keeping anything from shifting on me.
Thanks for all the wonderful advice. I'm learning!...the hard way, but I am learning!
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 9,299
From my limited experience, two things made a world of difference:
Switching to a good walking foot (name brand)
Using a big table (my padded dining room table) to pin baste (my back and knees couldn't bear the floor method and the bed was too soft)
Switching to a good walking foot (name brand)
Using a big table (my padded dining room table) to pin baste (my back and knees couldn't bear the floor method and the bed was too soft)
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 2,352
Since I began using basting spray, my quilting has become pucker-free. I do all my quilting on my domestic machine, mostly STD and straight-line. Here's a link to an old thread with lots of tips about building that important sandwich: http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...d-t211941.html
If you search back into this board, your question about puckering has been asked lots and lots. Take heart, we all face them.
If you search back into this board, your question about puckering has been asked lots and lots. Take heart, we all face them.
#19
I may not be pinning enough. I should have said smooth top rather than taut. I'm using poly batting as it's way more economical for me, at less than a third of the price of cotton/poly blend. I also don't have a large area for basting to I either have to do it in sections on the floor, or use my bed (which makes keeping everything smooth a bit challenging). I just have a cheap sewing machine with a generic walking foot, so no doubt that's also part of my issue.
I know my inexperience is mostly the issue. It's reassuring to know I'm not alone in struggling with this.
For glue basting, do you daub or spray? I tried daubing, I'm wondering if diluting it a bit and spraying would give me better results in keeping anything from shifting on me.
Thanks for all the wonderful advice. I'm learning!...the hard way, but I am learning!
I know my inexperience is mostly the issue. It's reassuring to know I'm not alone in struggling with this.
For glue basting, do you daub or spray? I tried daubing, I'm wondering if diluting it a bit and spraying would give me better results in keeping anything from shifting on me.
Thanks for all the wonderful advice. I'm learning!...the hard way, but I am learning!
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 637
I tried to SITD on a quilt before I FMQ. I could tell I would have puckers if I FMQ so I left it alone which worked out because of the fabric and high loft.
Now I just baste with rolled up 2x4s like Sharon Schamber does and FMQ from the center out like Paper Princess said. That seems to work out much better for me.
Now I just baste with rolled up 2x4s like Sharon Schamber does and FMQ from the center out like Paper Princess said. That seems to work out much better for me.
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