Creeping quilt top
 

I'm not really sure what to call it but I'll describe it. It has to be a common thing...
I got my quilt sandwiched and basted with safety pins. I think I did a good job...when it was finished it looked nice and flat. I have quilted almost half of it, from the center to the outside (and it looks good, no ripples or folds etc.) and I have two more rows to go before I rotate it and quilt the other side. Rows are approximately 3 inches apart. But now the top doesn't seem so flat and almost looks like the top has spread out and needs to re-pinned at this point. I know this is the reason we leave extra batting and backing at the edges...but I've not heard what to do if that happens. Do I need to unpin, flatten it out, and then re-pin? Thanks for any help, I'll be working on it tomorrow.

There may be a little shift, but not a whole lot. How closely did you pin? you should not be able to put a fist down and not touch a pin, so like about 3-4" in all directions. Also, did you always sew in the same direction? You should be sewing one row one way and the next row in the opposite direction. If you can post a photo it would help. It may not be as bad as you think.

I'll post a pic tomorrow. This is the only the second time I've basted by pin...I had been crawling on the floor and basting with needle and thread. The floors are getting harder......

I have pin basted many, many quilts. The only method I have used since I quit hand quilting.
No quilt has behaved the way you described. I use clamps to hold quilts to my glass topped dining table.

I have had this happen. I did take out the pins, smooth and redo.

What machine and batt are you using? Sometimes, when the batt is really thin, the top and batting don't adhere together, and the top can creep and stretch from the walking foot. What kind of quilting are you doing?

hugs,
charlotte

I looked at it this morning and it looks good, all the wrinkles and other concerns gone. It must have been just working on it for so long. Last night I folded it and put a sheet on it to keep all the pet hair off. I took some pics anyway. Batting is Quilters Dream 80/20, and I did use loads of clamps to hold it while sandwiching.
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Looking good. Be sure and post a picture when you are done.

Looks good to me! I love blues.....

It does look good! Beautiful quilt. I am glad your worry was over nothing.

Dina