Puckering Paper Piecing Seams
 

I've started my first paper piecing quilt project and I'm hoping someone here can help me solve a problem. All of my seams are puckering. I am sewing with a Janome 15000, stitch length of 1.5, Aurifil thread, a 70/10 needle, batik fabric, and the pattern is on newsprint paper. I've tried an 11 and 14 needle, reduced the tension all of the way down to -3, and rethreaded my machine and bobbin. Nothing has helped. When I sew a regular seam on a piece of scrap fabric, it's fine. Is it the paper that is causing the problem? Any suggestions?

Interesting. I've never had that happen when paper piecing. Unfortunately, not familiar with your machine and/or it's settings so no clue if that is part of the problem. I normally use copy paper for my paper piecing so not sure if that may be the culprit or not, although I know many folks use the newsprint weight paper and not aware any of them have the issues you are.

I'm sure someone else will be along to help shortly.

I'm not sure I can help but I'll offer one suggestion. Do you spritz your seams with water or use a steam iron to press your seams? Like NJ Quilter, I use copy paper. I had a center seam that wouldn't lay flat so I spritzed it and ironed it; it puckered. Not sure if it was fabric or paper that puckered but now I wait until I remove the paper and then spritz and press those seams again to get them flat.

I never had that happen to me when paper piecing. Odd.

I have never had this happen before either. Did you starch the fabric before cutting it into the smaller pieces??

I use both the newsprint in the Judy Niemeyer's patterns or copy paper when the newsprint is not included. I don't have that problem when I am sewing anything unless my thread is hanging up. Meaning, it won't unwind without getting stuck in one of my thread guides. Did you try sewing on two other pieces of material to see if the machine will sew on regular material with the thread you are using for the paper piecing and make a good seam? Some threads are wound so that they have to be sideways to unroll correctly. If you are loading the thread sideways, could it be hanging up on the little notch that is used to secure the thread when you aren't using it? I tend to use larger cones which are 5,000 meters of thread and have to use a separate way to load the thread. Sometimes this can cause hanging up, then releasing, which makes the seams pucker.

This shouldn't matter, but I use a seam length of 1.6 when paper piecing. Although I love the better pressing of steam, I NEVER use steam anymore. I have had all types of puckers and stretching when I use steam. Now, I set my iron on the hottest setting - linen - and make sure I don't leave it on the material too long.

Yes, I used Best Press starch on the fabric before I cut it.

No I didn't use steam or spritzed it with water. The seams are puckering as I am stitching them.

It sure sounds like the paper is the problem. If I use too heavy of a paper, I get puckers.

It sounds more like a feed problem with the machine.

Sometimes the paper can be a bit slippery and cause the puckering. Do you happen to have a teflon foot? I would also try adjusting the foot pressure to make sure the feed dogs are moving the paper along at the same speed as the fabric. I don't have a Janome 15000, but I do have the 8900. Are you using the Accufeed feet or the standard feet? That might also be a factor. If you're using one, try the other to see if that helps.

I have a small Janome with same setup, and have used both copy paper and arithmetic paper for piecing including the special Carol Doak paper. I had some of the opposite tension problem, with underside having loose stitches, which I attributed to the paper swooshing in the feed dogs.
I prefer paper with a little more 'grip' to it, less slick, and before I get going I try a couple different tension and presser foot settings until I get a good fit.

It sounds like the feed dogs are working but the paper isn't moving along with the fabric..are you using straight pins to anchor the fabric to the paper? the Teflon foot mentioned earlier might be the solution..use some alcohol to clean the bottoms of the presser feet..might help.. ease up the presser foot pressure also.

I've not had a problem like that however I too was wondering about the presser foot ......good luck........calla

are your feed dogs clean? can you try using a teflon foot? One that is meant to go over fabrics more easily. Or try a walking foot if necessary.

This seems like a very small needle. How about a 12 needle? What size is your thread?

I don't have a Teflon foot and I'm using the open toe foot. I'm going to try and decrease the pressure on the foot. Thanks!

I'll try an 11 or 14 needle and decrease the foot pressure. I am using a 50 wt. Aurifil thread.

I'm also trying the Carol Doak foundation paper instead of the newsprint that came with the pattern. It is better, but does a little puckering still. The newsprint paper is slicker than the foundation paper. Still not perfect, but maybe I'll get there.

Are the feed dogs all the way up? Do they have any lint that needs to be brushed out?

I am doing a Judy Niemeyer paper pieced pattern at the moment on my Janome 7700 and am using a open toe accufeed walking foot. I have the stitch length set at 1.50 which is what is recommended on the pattern and am also using batik fabric. The fabric does look just a little wrinked when I have sewn it (possible because of the smaller stitch length) but I press on top of the seam first with a dry iron which gets the wrinkles out. I then flip the fabric open and press again.

I see that you mention that you are using less tension on the project. This webpage talks about tension and needles. http://thesewingcorner.blogspot.com/...e-tension.html Now, they aren't addressing anything about paper piecing, but loosening or tightening the tension should work the same way whether you are sewing clothes or quilts.

I am looking forward to seeing what actually made the difference for you.

I changed the paper that the pattern was on, and copied the blocks onto some Carol Daok paper for piecing. I put in an 11 needle, I put the tension back to auto, but I decreased the foot pressure a little. I left the stitch length at 1.5, but wonder if it could be a little bigger. It's much better now though.

There is a place in your book or should be about this problem, I don't know where to find it though. There is an adjustment that can be made to your machine.

Someone posted this week about pp without sewing on papers. Don't know how to,post a link sorry.

I would guess that the combination of the open toe presser foot and maybe pressure is causing the problem. I use newsprint for almost everything but when I paper piece I use my straight stitch needle plate and my 1/4 inch foot. I never use the open toe foot because it does not provide enough stability. News print is flimsy and needs the "hold down" that a regular foot gives it. If you are using the open toe foot because of visibility then switch to a clear foot - My guess is that you will be much happier with the results.

Are the puckers just showing up with the paper on or when the paper comes off?
If they are showing up with the paper on, what does it look like when you take the paper off?
If the puckers are showing up after your paper is off, it might be that you are pulling and not tearing the paper off. I know that my first PP was a problem, because I was not getting the paper folded and creased enough to tear and I was pulling.

I paper piece all the time and I use Carol Doak's paper and my Janome likes a 1.8 stitch length.

The previous post was on June 9 : Under Links and resources

• Great technique - no tear paper piecing -- by OhCanada

http://www.freequiltpatterns.info/fr...by-beverly.htm

This happened to me and I found my top thread wrapped around the spool spindle under the top thread, but could your bobbin tension be too tight?

I agree. Maybe feed dogs aren't up where they're suppose to be. When was last time you cleaned your machine? Tiniest piece of lint could be causing problem.

What weight thread? you have to match your thread.. to your needle.try using a topstitch 90/14 and see how that works.Never start messing with tension until you check the match between your needle and your thread.if your tension is working fine on a sample then there is no problem with Tension.

I've been using the freezer paper piecing method. I NEVER sew through the paper anymore and one pattern can be used multiple times. It on a site called "Twiddletails" or google freezer paper paper piecing. This saves so much time....no removing paper sewn onto fabric. and no making a zillion copies of your template. Try it - I think you'll like it!

When sewing with Batiks I think they recommend a 90/14 sharp needle? The back of the needle package I have says "you get a perfect straight stitch without skipping or puckering." Good luck.

Can you adjust the pressure of your presser foot? That may be what is hanging up on the paper. Or maybe try increasing your stitch length just a little bit and be sure to dampen the paper as you tear it off.

I've never used newsprint...only Carol Doak Foundation paper. Never had a problem....try another paper and see if that is the problem I've even used, in the past, my copy paper......I think it's a 20 weight. Other than being harder to tear off, no problems....

I have the Janome 15000 and paper piece quite a bit. I use velum most of the time and sometimes newsprint paper. I use 1.2 as my setting. I don't use Aurifil because it's too expensive. Regular thread will do. When I have used news print, I did not run into that problem. Try adjusting your presser foot height. Maybe it's too low?