With no walking foot would basting spray work better when quilting to avoid puckers and wrinkles that using pins or tacks? I'd like to know before I start the borders in the above post!

Thanks, friends!

I've never tried it without a walking foot. I'd try a sample before trying it on the quilt. Have you shopped for a walking foot? I've seen generic ones under $20...it's worth every penny!

I've tried every d#*% kind there is from every d#*% place there is! Even the Pfaff company admits that there is none that will fit on my old machine. I may be able to use my cheap little Brother machine for the borders and it has a w. foot if all else fails. Thanks, tho.

I would try your Brother machine with the walking foot, and the basting spray. You don't need a fancier machine for this :wink: :D:D:D

I think spray basting would help, but I also think that heavy starching would help a *lot* -- especially heavily starching the backing.

Thanks, Amma and Prism99. A little late for the starch this time but I'll remember for next time. Amma, I agree that the Brother will do it especially as so far the oval shapes are winning the "which one?".

Oh, wait a minute... I could spray starch the backing around the border area!

I personally think you will encounter problems as long as you try to do it without a walking foot on any machine.

You're right, mamaw! I've done it twice and it leaves something to be desired but is certainly acceptable. Now if I could just afford the Pfaff with as long a throat and the built in even feed....! SS just doesn't seem to think its a priority!

I would vote for basting spray and a few pins along the edges...I use the spray all the time without a walking foot....

Ditter

Thanks, Ditter43! I'll try the spray and if that doesn't work I'll use the little Brother.

I have used basting spray without a walking foot and it worked fine.

I also went to Joann's and bought a generic walking foot that fits my low shank perfectly. I got it for 40% off with the coupon, but the regular price is only $16.00.

I agree on trying with the Brother with the walking foot and the spray. Use whatever you need to in order to get the results you want! I'd still do a sample first just to be sure the tension is adjusted properly. Good luck!

Yes, you can spray starch it even after it's a sandwich. I would spray both the backing and the top, maybe a few times, allowing the spray starch to dry between sprays. It will help stabilize the fabrics while you machine quilt.

Heavy starching before layering is even better, but spray starching should help at this point.

Thanks, no1jan. Mine is not a low shank and I've tried every generic WF made.

OMG! OMG! Sincerest apologies, no1jan. I decided to try again with one of the generics that I kept. Happy Dance! When I'd tried it before it was only on 2 layers of fabric as for piecing and I'd been frustrated that the foot did not press down on the fabric and that the fabric caught on a cross bar on the foot. So I just tried it on a layered sample and it works just great! Thank you, my dear! So glad I tried it again!

glad you got it fixed

Actually I thought I did, Craftybear, but , alas, it's more like FMQ. The underside of the foot is totally smooth and doesn't put enough pressure on the quilt. When I tried it, it was on a sample with 2 layers of batting. So it worked OK, but I got out the little Brother machine and its doing well. Could never get a full quilt into it but its great for borders.