Quiltingboard Forums - Puckers?? How do you prevent them??

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My best find to prevent puckers was basting spray. It made everything much easier.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearisgray

Assumption: This is not for LAQ quilting?

1) Did you press your backing before laying it out?

2) Did you anchor the backing to the table or floor so it didn't bunch up? (My table isn't wide enough to accommodate all the fabric at one time - so I "weight" the edges of the backing with long rulers or curtain rods - I make a temporary "pocket" for the items by just folding up a side to hold the ruler and pinning it - it provides just enough tension to help keep the backing smooth.

3) Did you smooth the batting so it didn't have any lumps or bumps

4) Did you smooth the top and make sure it was nice and squared up before basting/pinning?

5) Did you use enough pins/basting to keep the layers from sliding/moving around? (I pin at least every four inches) I think it helps to start pinning from the center and work out to the edges.

6) Did you check the back to make sure the backing is wrinkle free before starting to quilt? (I've had to redo the whole thing because somehow or other I got a big wrinkle in - Growl) I think that's why I like pins better than basting

A lot of prevention starts with the preparation.

I don't have many suggestions for the actual quilting. My machine quilting is stitch-in-the-ditch and straight lines (as straight as I can sew them, anyway)

Wow! I love that #2. I will surely try it. All I can add is that since I began basting (needle and thread) instead of just the pins or " baster-gun" basting, my puckers are less frequent. Also, as I sew, I use my hands to form a little tension on the fabric (stretching a little).

Although I am new to quilting I found that using cotton batting works WONDERFUL. Everytime I used a med fluff poly batting, it always puckered (believe me hundreds of pins). Now I only use cotton batting, it works for me.
Good thoughs

Often puckers on the back of a quilt are the result of over tensioning the back. I was advised by the longarm teachers I have had to allow the back to be rather "soft" so that you can poke your finger up from the back and grab it from the top. I also stitch my sides with every roll of the quilt before using my side tensioners. I think I have had only two back puckers in over 100 quilts.
julia

I used to have puckers - however, from this board I received the link to Sharon's website and watched her video on hand basting using pieces of wood trim. Its a bit more time consuming but the finished quilt is just beautiful with no puckers. I also found it easier to machine quilt on my Janome.

no good answer here-my girls call puckers "a hug from mom"!

Are you FMQ-ing or SID / straight line stitching? If you are SID / straight line stitching, be sure to use a walking foot.

Also, don't "pull" your quilt as you are stitching. Let the feed dogs do the work for you. Just guide the quilt with your fingers.

Thank you for the comments about using cotton batting. I am making that change from now on. Just finished using medium poly and try as I may, I am having to use ninas3kids answer about a "hug from Mom" when I give it to my DD.

Great information!!!