ronee

I am wondering if there are any "secrets" to keeping the bottom fabric of the "sandwich" to stay flat when I am quilting?

ronee

Prism99

If you have already created the quilt sandwich, try spray starching the backing several times (let dry in-between). Don't iron. Starch stabilizes fabric so it is less likely to stretch and pucker.

I heavily starch my backing fabric before creating the quilt sandwich (1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water). Once the quilt sandwich is made, though, spray starch should help.

ronee

Thank you so much. I can see that I have yet a lot to learn.

hazeljane

Also, and please don't be offended if you are NOT that much of a newbie, but it was years before I knew what the *&^(*&%^ walking foot was for. It could have saved me so much aggravation if someone has told me!

So, if you are using your home machine, and not FMQing- are you using your walking foot? Makes all the difference.

(And again, if this is too basic, please forgive me.)

craftybear

We all learn from each other, no dumb ??? thanks

schwanton

I just finished a small project and it was suggested that I use basting spray. I had never used it. First you spray the batting and smooth on the quilt top. Then spray the back of the batting and smooth on the bottom layer. I did not like the stickiness of the batting so I trimmed off the excess, but I must admit, my fabric stayed so flat and smooth for fmq. It was a breeze.

Ms Grace

basting spray and starch your backing fabric :thumbup:

MadQuilter

I pull my backing fabric really taut and tape it to the table before laying down the batting - smoothing it out, and then patting down the top. I pin no less than hand-width apart and do fairly well (no puckers) when I do Stitch-in-the-ditch quilting. Now I can't say anything about freemotion. NO GOOD AT IT yet.

ann clare

Thanks for pointing this out. I have never used my walking foot. Will start tomorrow.

StitchinJoy

What kind of machine are you using? Domestic sewing machine? Midarm? Longarm?