Problems with machine quilting
 

I was quilting in the ditch (or somewhere near it) and it seemed that everything was just fine; until I looked at the back. Here is a picture of what I saw. Can anyone make any suggestions?

Your lines look great. Are you talking about the puckering (for lack of a better word)? I have found that washing often resolves this issue, because it makes the whole quilt look more wrinkly. I will be watching this post for answers from the experts.

I agree - the stitching looks good. To avoid the puckering, you will likely need to pin more closely together. When you are sandwiching your quilt, be careful not to stretch it too tight as that will result in puckering when it relaxes.

Cheers, K

This happens to me....I don't know what to tell you.....I wouldn't worry about it. :)

I wouldn't worry about it. Once it is washed it seems to go away. One suggestion I do have is that when you are quilting straight lines try to first go one way, and then the other way. (EG: From top to bottom of the quilt and then from bottom to top) This seems to keep whatever stretch happens at bay. This isn't always feasible because there often gets to be just too much quilt to fit, but try to do it whenever possible.

You may already be doing this because I don't see the stretch that can happen.

How did you get your lines so even. I always have a hard time with that, so your suggestions are welcome.

amh

I agree with the others; the issues will go away with washing, and I wouldn't worry about it.

Next time, if you want to avoid this altogether, I recommend:

(1) *heavily* starching the backing fabric before layering. I use a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water, "paint" this on the fabric with a large wall painting brush, let sit for a couple of minutes to make sure the fabric fibers have absorbed as much starch as they can, toss in dryer, then iron with steam. This stabilizes the backing fabric so it has no chance of puckering while you sew. For me, it also helps to spray starch the top before layering. These two things *greatly* reduce the chance of puckers if you are crossing lines (as in cross-hatching).

(2) Spray baste. Spray basting adheres all areas of the fabric to the batting, unlike pinning -- which attaches the 3 layers only at points, usually about 4 inches apart. Glue basting probably has a similar effect to spray basting. When all of the layers are connected at all points, the fabric is not able to shift even slightly while you are machine quilting.

I sew verry, veerryy, slowllllyy.

Hi Prism99,

Glad to hear you recommend starching. I did in fact starch the top, which is probably why there were no puckers on the top. After seeing the back, I realized that I had not starched it.
I used 505 to spray baste it. First time that I used it. Probably could have smoothed it out a bit more.

It is a very strong word, but I hate stitch in the ditch. It is slow and it is painful and it makes my eyes hurt and after all that I rarely stay in the ditch. I stitch OVER the ditch. It is not fast, but it is definitely forgiving of my lack of expertise :-)

When I use 505 spray I then iron over the whole thing front and back again to make sure it's all stuck together and is very smooth. Sewing from the middle out a couple of times both ways will help lessen the puckers. It will probably all come out in the wash as they say and we all learn from these little things. 100 years from now no one will say anything about it or if they do you won't care.

Your quilting looks ok, washing the quilt you will not notice this.

Hi Preeti,
Yes, stitching in the ditch is painful. When I first start a quilt it is hard to stay in the ditch. By the time I am finished I am doing pretty good. Makes me want to go back and re-do the early stuff.

Hi Debra,

Sounds like a great idea to iron it after making the sandwich.

The quilt is square (84 x 84). I did all quilting from the middle out.

Mary Lou

Thank you all for the helpful suggestions. Ideas that I took away from this exchange:

1.) Starch the heck out of the top and backing.
2.) After making the sandwich using basting spray iron it front and back to make sure everything is smooth.
3.) Use a walking foot.
4.) Quilt from the middle out if possible.
5.) Don't worry so much about the puckers in the back. Wash it and hope for the best.

Mary Lou

Does anyone besides me find that spray basting gums up the needle?

to avoid puckering, pull bottom fabric tighter. ape bottom fab. to the table before beginning to pin. works great for me

The problem may be with the brand of basting spray you are using. I never had this problem with 505. You do need to use a light hand with the spray; if the basting spray is applied too heavily, it may create problems. Also, the spray needs to dry before you start quilting. With 505 I left it for 4 hours or more. Some people iron their quilts after spraying, and this would probably accelerate drying.