quiltingmomma

I guess I have been cheating quite a bit with my quilts. I have only been quilting the top and not the backing ( I quilt as I go). The first time I tried to quilt the backing it wanted to pucker and had all kind of pleats and gathers in it. I do want to quilt the back on the quilt I am about to start. Does anyone have any advice on how to quilt the back too without all the puckers and pleats?

redrummy

Starch it heavy, pin a lot, go slow is all I know

Jim's Gem

I have never done a Quilt as you go. I spray baste my quilt sandwich and if doing straight stitches, use a walking foot. I find that the spray baste keeps it all together better as you quilt.

littlehud

I had better luck with basting spray. Glue it down good.

Quilter7x

You need to use a walking foot or you will get puckers and pleats. Try using a walking foot on a sample of fabric.

quiltinggirl

I too make it a habit to go really slow. I use the guilting gloves from Fons & Porter which allows me to get a really firm grip on the quilt. Remember to go even slower if you are quilting over other stitches too. I find that this is the place where the puckers appear most if I don't watch my speed. Hope this helps some!

Prism99

I always starch the backing to stabilize it; keeps the fabric from stretching while you are quilting. I also spray baste!

Quilt Mom

I know someone already said it - walking foot..... You will find it invaluable for quilting. It will keep the fabric feeding equally through your machine, and eliminate pleats/puckers. I pin with saftey pins for this...

Or... free motion quilting with a darning foot. (For that I sometimes use a batting with an adhesive - you iron the top to the batt, then iron the back to the batt. Works like basting spray... (I still pin, though not as much.)

Why not try the techniques on a 12" square of muslin, sandwiched as you would a quilt square. Then you will see how each technique works for you.

MollieSue

I starch both the top and the backing. ;) I pin across one row, then move it all up onto my dining table, and finish pinning, frequently checking that it's all still lying flat.
I also mostly free motion quilt using the Flynn type frame my DH made me, and I think that also helps hold everything more taut.
I'll be stitching in the ditch on my son's flannel log cabin prety soon, just using my walking foot, no frame, and will have my fingers crossed... lol!!

quiltingmomma

Thanks for all the advice. I will certainly try the ideas. I have never heard of spray baste. I am definitely gonna have to try to find some of that. Sounds pretty interesting.