I think using a walking foot is the biggest thing to improve my quilting. I very rarely get puckers on the back. I would be tempted to use the walking foot and just be careful to stay as close to the ditch as possible. I have a Viking and splurged for the walking foot with the snap on insert for stitch in the ditch. It has been worth every penny! It can also be used with the decorative stitches, which most walking feet can't.