Prism99

None of the layers should be taut. Each individual layer should be smooth. To ensure smoothness for the backing, you can smooth the backing and then tape it down. Same with the other layers.

One of my recommendations is to *heavily* starch the backing before you layer. I like a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water. This is a fast technique for me because I use a wall painting brush to apply the starch solution to the fabric; my kitchen island is just about the right size and height. Once the fabric is saturated with starch I wait a few minutes to make sure the starch has time to penetrate the fabric fibers, then toss in the dryer. Afterwards I iron with steam, which re-activates the starch. What this heavy application of starch does is stabilize the backing fabric so it is *much* less likely to pucker or distort while machine quilting.

I also like to starch the top as heavily as possible, although for this I use several layers of spray starch. You can lay the top on a large flat sheet, spray from the outside edges towards the center, use a fan to speed drying of the starch, and apply this in several layers. Wait for the starch to dry, then iron with steam to make the top flat.

Pin basting is not ideal in terms of keeping all 3 layers in contact with one another. Both spray basting and glue basting are better because they prove much more continuous contact between the layers. If possible, switch to one of these basting methods for better results.

Starch and a continuous basting method together will almost guarantee that you will not get puckers or tucks when machine quilting. This is because the individual fabric layers are stabilized (by the starch), plus all 3 layers are continuously in contact (by means of the spray or glue basting methods).