I heavily starch the backing before sandwiching. (Actually, I heavily starch the yardage before even creating the backing, but you can do it to the backing also.) My method is fast and easy. I mix a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water, "paint" this solution onto the yardage until it is saturated, toss in dryer, then iron with steam.

What this heavy starching does is stabilize the backing fabric so it doesn't stretch or distort while you are machine quilting. In my experience, it pretty much eliminates puckering. For the same reason, I starch the top before sandwiching although in that case I use layers of spray starch.

For a quilt that is already sandwiched, spray starching both top and backing several times will add some stability and often will stop puckers if you are already having that problem.

Spray basting also helps prevent puckering because it holds all surfaces together at all points. Pins, for example, hold the sandwich together only every 4 inches or so where the pin intersects the sandwich.

I used the Sharon Schamber way of basting my quilts using the two boards.... No more puckers for me..

PS.. In one of her videos, she mentions (in passing) that she starches her backs... ABSOLUTELY works.

I use Harriet Hargraves method on my kitchen island counter. I have a DR table I could use but afraid of scratching it with the pins.

a dear friend gave me some different weights that were small and square,I covered them with material and had material where I could pin them around the edges of the quilt and I put the quilt on 2 large tables at church.Works great.

Maybe I'll win the lottery one day and have the machine of my dreams. :thumbup: :-)

I also use Sharon Schamber's method, but modified. I don't use boards...I use our dining table and if the quilt is too big I just let it hang over the edges and the weight keeps the part on the table tight enough while I thread baste. I usually start laying the layers together at a corner and slide it around my table to make sure all the layers fit together before I start basting. I couldn't do floors any more and don't have the space anyway.

I see a small pucker every once in a while, but since I started spray basting, they are few and far between. I starch the backing then smooth out on my to work tables. I hold that taut to the edges w/ black binder clips. Then, I smooth out the batting, then the top. When all is adjusted smooth and flat, I roll the top and batting (as one) from the top or bottom towards the center. I spray a small strip, unroll, smooth, and so forth. I repeat the same for the layer between the top and the batting. The adhesive holds all together quite snugly which helps me move the quilt as one piece under the needle while I'm quilting (on a DSM). Works for me until I can save my pennies for a LA!!

I have used the fusible batting. I tape the backing to the floor, add the fusible batting and then the top. I pin it all and also iron it while it's still on the floor. After the top side is all ironed, I iron the back. The fusible batting is not a permanent bond so it will come apart easily, so I leave the pins in place. I haven't had any puckers in the quilts I did like this. It works for me. The hardest part is being on the floor.

If you are using a hard floor -- tape EVERY layer down -- I tape not just the corners, but every 12 inches all around.

If I have to do it on carpet, I use T pins -- the ones thay call upholstery pins. - again EVERY layer

Then I use safety pins every 6 inches all over. It does take extra time and effort but it really keeps the layers together. I hand quilt so you may want to baste the layers. When I do baste, I use a curved needle.
Mim

As you can see in my picture I use painters tape, on both the backing and the top. I hand quilted this quilt and it worked out great, no puckers. My next one will be FMQ. It will be the first time I've attempted FMQ, I like the idea of starching the backing so I'm going to try that.