Shelbie

Another thought, your batting plays a role in puckering. An 80/20 batt lies a lot smoother and flatter than a puffier polyester batting.

Schoolmarm

Thanks!

ShirlinAZ

I did really well with stitch in the ditch on my first few quilts. Then I did one that puckered everywhere. It doesn't sound like you're doing anything wrong. What kind of batting are you using? Poly batting is quite slippery and can be a real pucker pain! I find I'm doing better now with all cotton batting (warm & natural or warm & white). The fabric and batting tend to stay in place better. I still pin a lot.

FMQ can help reduce puckers because you are kind of easing any fullness in as you go, instead of having it build up to the end of a line of stitching.

You'll get it, just keep trying until you find what works for you.

Schoolmarm

Thanks everyone for the advice. I will try these and master this project! Thanks!!

ChrisB

I always use safety pins to sandwich on a flat surface - no carpet. I start in the middle and remove the pins smoothing as I go and don't get puckers very often at all.

Ramona Byrd

Is there some local group who have a big meeting place and also do quilting? Sometimes on this forum someone is always talking about she "did the sandwich" and someone else did the quilting and someone else did the binding and then they donated it in all their names to this or that charity.

There are no rock solid "ONLY" ways to do something, just keep on going. And thank you for your giving ways, God will repay you some way or other.

vsknepp

I clamp my backing to my cutting table with alligator clamps and pull it taut. Then I put on the batting, smooth it out and put it under the clamps with the backing, keeping both taut. Then I center and smooth on my top. I pin from the center out with safety pins, using at least one in each corner of every block and one in the center of each block. I then release the clamps and am ready to quilt. I have not had any puckers on the back since I started doing it this way.

skothing

How about spraying then after quilting washing the finished quilt? Also I hang my batting out for 24 hours before laying it on the backing. That helps get the wrinkles out.

teacherbailey

I would try the spray basting to get it quilted then washing it several times in a no-dye, no-fragrance laundry detergent before giving it. This will take out the chemicals that are the issue....washing twice would probably do it but just to be safe, I'd do it 4-5 times. After a bazillion years of quiltmaking, I can't quilt and get a good result any other way than spray basting.

lucy78

i had the same problem.mine was awful on the back....if i have any luck, let me know. have a friend that does a great job,and she helped me 2 stretch and pin, still puckers.....