I have a quilt that I quilted Saturday and was ready to trim the backing and fold it over for the binding yesterday. I decided to tear the backing instead of cutting it since I don't cut very straight. I tore it all around thinking this will be a piece of cake, it will tear so straight. Good thinking Lauren. Ha!! When I spread it out neatly to admire my handy work, I saw it did NOT "tear straight". I thought it was the fabric. Then I realized what happened was I probably did not place the quilt top straight on the backing and it did tear straight. Ok I'll chalk that up to experience. Will double check the next time I guarentee you.

I sat down after work to sew around the edges of the quilt so I can cut the excess off othe quilt so I can do the binding tonight. Using my walking foot, I proceed. Puckers!! Puckers!! On one side alone there are eight significant puckers in the border. When I did the stitch in the ditch quilting, (first time ever here!!) I didn't have this problem. I know it can't be the borders were waving that much. I think I know what I will name this quilt in my head.....Puckers!

I went to take pictures to attach to show my problem and the "camera God" got me. Neither of the batteries are charged. Sigh

I would drink a cold green citrus tea right about now if I had remembered to buy some today. I did see there were none in the refrigerator this morning. And so it goes...

Thanks for the vent.
Lauren

Have an early night, everything will seem a little better in the morning.

oh no!!!

Hugs to you for a better tomorrow. Some days it just doesn't pay to get started. LOL

I feel your pain. It might be a good day to focus on housecleaning! LOL Seriously speaking.... take a step or two back so you can regain your focus and then start again. Why I can't follow my own advice is beyond me. I get tired and start making really crazy mistakes, but won't quit for the day. :D :D

Id go to bed and read a good book!!! lol

oh lauren, it does not sound like you had the best of days. so, hopefully tomorrow will be much better. because, what are the odds of having two :shock: days like this in a row. :-)

Sounds more like a Baileys Irish Cream moment to me!

LOL!!! Your right there!

Hang in there! We all these these stinky days. There's always tomorrow :) Hugs

Well, at least you know tomorrow has to be better since it can't get any worse! :)

I feel your pain. I have never done that, but after reading you post, I have made a mental note to Never tear the backing - to use for binding.

I would have had to sit down and cry over that one.
Get some chocolate or something that will make you feel real good....at least for the moment. And as they say "this too shall pass!"
Bless you dear quilter.
June in Cincinnati

Anytime.:) We all have days like your's and may need to vent, too. :)

Funny thing is we've all been there, done that, and yet we know that it will happen again. I hope tomorrow goes better for you.

I had a rotten day too. I bought fusible batting for this bag I am making. WHY I did what I did...I have no clue. I read the pattern directons wrong and ended up ruining an 18" X 32" piece of fabric AND the batting. I forgot to put the bag top on top of the batting. I ironed right on top of the batting. LOL So I cut another piece of batting...luckily I had just enough of it. And then I gave up for the day and tomorrow I will cut another piece of fabric. The one I screwed up is the underlining and then I need a piece the same size for the lining. Glad I bought extra yardage of that fabric.

Clearly mine was not quite as bad as your problem but I've been trying so hard to make this bag perfect and of course I screw it up.

Are you using straight of grain binding or bias? I don't use bias binding anymore unless I have a scallop edge. If you were using straight of grain binding and you still have the border puckers, you'll need to find out why. Do the borders have too much fabric...Am I stretching the binding too much? I usually run a row of stitching along the quilt raw edge before putting on my binding. This row of stitches let you know if everything is where it's supposed to be and you can make adjustments if necessary before binding. Tommorrow is bound to be better...right?

Ditto!!!!

I will probably be using straight grain, as I have not gotten that far. I got the puckers when stitching a row along the raw edge before the binding. That's why I say the borders couldn't have been that far off, but then who knows. And ya'll are right, tomorrow has to be better :mrgreen:

me too, but I was thinking a nice glass of wine

Ditto. And some chocolate!! Tomorrow will be a better day, I promise.

Pogo said "We have met the enemy and he is us." 1971

Tomorrow will be better than today! Hope keeps us going.

At least you have your quilt, puckered or not. Mine is lost in the mail.

My thoughts and hugs are just for you today, sometimes I wonder why I get out of bed in the morning as every thing I touch turns to custard.
Tomorrow will be 100% better
Kamaiarig y

Isn't it amazing how one day you can be a quilting "super star" and the very next morning--nothing goes right???

Step away from the quilt... that's it... take a hot bubble bath. Eat chocolate. Watch a chick flick. Call a girlfriend. Shop online. Anything to make the day end well. Then come back tomorrow, and it will all work out. :)

I am so sorry this happened to you. :shock:

Agree with you on that

Don't get discouraged. I had a quilt (for son) that I wanted to take outside and burn (I was having problems with it). Finally got it together and out of the house.

Lynn

Some days are like that (even in Australia). One of my favourite read aloud books for kids has always been Judith Viorst's "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible No Good Very Bad Day. We all have them once in awhile. Keep smiling and remind yourself that none of this will matter or even be remembered next year.

Just started Predisone today, so no Bailey's, Wine, Beer, etc. for a little while, but would have if I could have :lol: :roll: :lol:

better stick with chocolate then! it's a vegetable ya know, comes from a plant! so have lots!

Yea chocolate and the cold green citrus tea sound very soothing! So sorry it was an off day. It will be better after some time away.

Where do you get your tea? Sounds like a good thing for a quilter to have in the cupboard!

I think I would need a Margarita; double shot.

Sorry you had such a bad day. It'll get better ...

Tomorrow will be a better day!

But your today sounds like my DD's day. She had the day off so she took the baby to get pictures made. When she went out to the car, it wouldn't start. She had someone help her jump it and so it did start. While waiting for the car to get started she had the baby in the carrier seat and had set her on the ground for a minute. When she leaned over to pick up kiddo, she tore or strained some muscles in her back. She came to my house (next door to hers) and the car wouldn't start again. She wanted me to watch kiddo while she figured out what she was going to do. In the mean time, her dog when crazy, acting like the devil was on her tail. She whined, and jumped, and squalled and basically went insane. We put the dog out and the dog jumped on the hood of her car and scratched the hell out of it.

Anyway, her hubby came home, got new battery, took her to convenient care (couldn't get dr appointment until late tomorrow), dog is back to normal. She's resting. Baby's happy. Car starts.

mom said there would be days like this

i call those "Dang Darn it" moments......it will get better!!!

Hi Lauren,
Sorry you had a lousy day.
As far as the puckering on the quilt border goes, did you measure, divide into four sections, divide quilt edge into four. Then line up the marks. I was taught to measure both edges then through the middle of the quilt and take an average. I don't have a problem with borders. Also when you make the quilt sandwich do you stretch the backing a little.

I learned the hard way to NEVER tear fabric - I'll cut it every time now- it was not a quilt I ruined, but regardless, it made such a mess, I don't think I'll ever tear fabric again, even if it is just yardgoods... no way!