Machine Quilting.... Am I the only one?
 

I am working on yet another machine quilted top. I pin the layers together about every 3" and it feels perfectly smooth and flat when I start doing the stitching. But I ALWAYS have ripples once I start stitching. Not awful ripples but I can't seem to figure out how to keep that smooth and flat surface during the entire quilting process. If I stitch pretty close together it isn't as bad. I use a walking foot or a darning foot depending upon whether I'm stitching straight lines or curvy lines.

What am I doing wrong? I want the quilt to stay smooth like when I hand quilt. I just don't want it to take months to get it finished.

Heavily starching the backing and spray starching the top before layering help a ***lot*** to prevent ripples and puckers. Starch stabilizes the fabric so it doesn't stretch underneath the sewing machine foot. Also, spray basting helps because it keeps all 3 layers in continuous contact with each other (instead of every 3").

I should add that even after layering, spray starching helps. In that case you need to spread out the sandwich on a large flat sheet. Spray starch and let it dry (a fan helps speed this up), then repeat several more times. Do this for both top and backing. It should help.

I just had my first little tuck. What did I do differently? - sandwiched that one in a hurry. I use the Sharon Schamber method with the boards and have had very smooth backs, but I did the nursing home quilt in a rush and in the company of others so I must not have paid as much attention. Previously I used 8 top tables put together. I never had a problem but I used a lot of tape to hold the backing in place until it was pinned. Can you release some of the tension on your presser foot to accommodate the thickness of the quilt when doing the straight stitching with the walking foot? I can with all my machines except the Elna.

are you using a 'lofty' batting or a thin batting? that can make a difference- if using a lofty batting it helps to lengthen your stitch length a little and if possible ease the foot pressure- you could try spray basting - some people find that makes a difference- I've always thread basted and used to have that problem at times- but once I started lengthening my stitch length and easing the foot pressure it helped a lot.

if you use some of the glue sprays it works pretty good you don't get bunches unless you do it wrong

Thanks for the suggestions. I have used glue spray before but am always afraid if I use too much it will cause my needle to skip stitches or get gummy stuff on the needle. That did help with the ripples and tucks though.

I think I'll try lengthening my stitches and using starch. We'll see what happens.

I have found spray basting is a help and starch helped me . If not using boards make sure backing is taut when taping down.

I had the worst problems when I used the boards like Sharon Schamber. I decided my old method worked better for me (clipping or taping to a table and shifting it as needed).

You are NOT the only one! This happens to me also. It's so frustrating. I will have to start starching to see if that helps. I already use the basting spray glue. The quilt I'm working on now is doing a little better; I sprayed and pinned.

Sometimes in spite of layering, pinning and starching some quilts do not want to lie completely flat. I've come to the conclusion that it is a number of factors. Your choice of batting definitely plays a huge role. Polyester bats will not lay as flat as a 80/20 or W&N. High humidity also affects the fabric and some cottons just like to wrinkle and stretch more than others. If you haven't pressed well or try to hurry with your pinning, it may also affect the outcome. Some of my quilts are definitely flatter and smoother than others but I've never had a new quilt owner yet complain that their new quilt is not as flat and wrinkle free as the ones in the juried show. Do your best to control the variables and quilt on!

Utilizing a walking foot is not ideal when quilting. There are specific feet to use and each machine brand designates their own. If you must, you can quilt without any foot and slow down; fast speed, slow hands. Hope this helps. GiGi

Would someone explain Sharon Schamber's use of "the boards? Or does she have a website I could go to and see?

See the articles about Elmer's School Glue. It will save you lots of frustration!

I never thought of starching my backing fabric. I just started heavy starching my fabrics before I cut to make the quilt, but never thought of the backing. Learned something new today. Thanks. I prefer Elmers or any kind of washable school glue verses pins. It has made a difference to me.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!! Happens to me to sometimes too. I just take out what I need to to smooth it out - and on the next one make sure I take my time and tape the backing down and pin it good.

I use Elmer's Washable school glue. I'll never go back to thread or pin basting any quilt that doesn't go to a longarmer.

I use pins, straight pins with foam on the ends, the boards and thread basting, spray basting and fusible batting and I have ended up with little tucks with any method. I think it's just me. The fusible batting i used on a purse and it took forever- can't imagine how long it would take to fuse a whole quilt! I will try the glue method next and see how well I do with that. I will also try starching more too, because that does help, i didnt do it enough! One thing I do know- little tucks become virtually invisible after washing.

This is where I jump in and give a shout out for Elmers!! Way cheaper, no overspray, easily washes out, holds sandwich firmly.

BertieD, the best place to see Sharon's method is on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhwNylePFAA

She has many, many videos which are all great, but that link is specifically for the use of the boards.

I fold the materials and hand press so I know where the center is. Then I open them up and spray baste between each layer VERY LIGHTLY. I start either pin basting or tie stitch basting from the center out about mid way every 3 inches. When I'm done it looks like a sunburst pattern. Then I'm able to get to the quilting and no ripples. I've done a couple small ones this way. Am working on a bigger one and will do the same. May be a little more time consuming but worth it always in the long run. I usually have to take it outside and use a couple saw horses and a large piece of plywood. Can't stand the smell of the spray baste in the house.

Washable school glue has been an amazing discovery for me! Following a tutorial from here on the board (and then finding my own best method) was so easy and fast. By applying the glue to the batting and then laying the fabric on top, you are able to see if there are any puckers/folds and deal with them right then. Once the quilt sandwich is dry (I let mine air dry) the layers will not shift or move no matter how many times it gets bunched up for machine quilting. The needle does not get gummy as with spray adhesives, nor is there any problems sewing through the dried glue. It doesn't require any special tips, brushes or cleanup. I will never use any other method of basting a quilt....Washable School Glue is my best quilting friend!

Those that are gluing, do you do dot glue or line gluing? How many inches apart?

The 505 or Sullivans won't affect the stitching. Check out Patti Thompson's youtube video on spray basting. She addresses that topic.

Yes - Seriously I just hold the bottle in my hand and sometimes I make big Ss from side to side then make Ss in a crosshatch pattern. Some ladies use a foam brush, some use dots - just depends on you. Either way you go it's sure to be easier than pinning on basting with needle & thread. Usually try for 2-3" apart.

This is the only way I prep for quilting and I NEVER have wrinkles or tucks. Get a large table on which to place your backing . Get a husband to hold the backing so it won't slide off the table. Spray lightly and place your batt. Move the backing, spray next section, place the batt. Have husband hold sandwich back where you started. Spray batt and place top, continue this way. Once everything is sprayed, I use something called pinmoors, along with flat head pins and just place them around my top. Voila. Done and ready.

I had tiny tucks and wrinkles for YEARS no matter how closely I pinned or hand-basted. The first time I tried spray basting I had none. Not a single one.

Spray baste is my best friend. Get 505 it's the best

What kind of batting do you use? I use Warm and Natural 100% cotton batting and it's wonderful. The top and bottom both "stick" to it really well. I don't use any taping, gluing or anything when sandwiching... just lay out the top face down on a big bed. Then I place the batting on the wrong side of the top. Last comes the backing, right side up. I like to pin from the top, so I have to then flip the whole sandwich over, unpinned(!), and re-smooth it once it's right side up. I just smooth by hand, and don't need to fuss too much. Then I pin with big safety pins from the top, but not too close. Maybe one pin every 10" or so. The cotton batting really holds onto the other layers. I never get shifting or wrinkles when machine quilting. I really think it's the batting!

I like the Mettler Web Bond TA. I learned about it in a class. It works great. I use it on my LA to float the bottom of the quilt to finish.

I agree with Tartan, love the spray and the batting that is ready for me to iron the sandwich. Also, ironing the starched backing and using starch on the top works well. I am now starching everything that I quilt and that helps with a number of small "issues". I am doing both machine quilting (in the ditch) and also by hand. All of the above are making my completed projects look better and better. THANK YOU, Quilting Board for all of your suggestions. Makes being an older quilting newbie much, much easier!!!

I use Sullivan's spray and lay out on two tables. For lap size quilts, I lay backing wrong side up and then batting. I fold back the batting and spray, smooth the batting with my hands, lay the top on the batting, smoothing it, check the back side and smooth if nec. and turn the sandwiched half and repeat. I do not tape or clip the backing. The spray allows repositioning and it is better to do so than when using pins. No need for pins or thread basting. It works for me.

I also had and sometimes still have your problem. When I use spray glue (just brought back some elmer's washable school glue to try) plus safety pins, it seems to work the best for me. I was able to do a king without problems when I used lots of glue.

But I don't starch the front and back, either. I can see that would help, but I don't really have starch easily available and don't want to get into making my own. I also use poly batting. It is definitely true that the thinner the batting the easier it is to NOT get puckers.

Try lightening up on the pressure on your foot and see if that helps a bit.

Spray basting has been such a help to me. If I didn't have that, I would definitely use Elmer's washable school glue. I do use the glue or glue sticks for basting seams and binding. I just don't use pins of any kind very often. Thank goodness for glue.

We need a tute on Elmer's Glue! Or, is there one?

I wonder if you are pinning to closely. I pin 6-8 inches apart and seldom have a problem with ripples or tucks on the backs. I quilt on a Babylock Tiara, but before that used a regular sewing machine and still didn't seem to have problems with tucks. I always start quilting in the middle and work to the oursides so that it is easier to smooth any wrinkles that I feel. Good luck with your quilting.