putting a quilt on 3 rail frame to baste it for machine quilting
 

I did this and got a lot of puckers on the front when I took it off the frame . So I ripped out the basting and trying again does anyone know why this happened and how to correct it. Please HELP

I am going to watch this post because I have trouble using my 3 rail frame as well.

I'm guessing that you stretched the back too tight.

Ditto on this

Sorry for the double post. I'm using Chrome instead of Internet Explorer and it seems to behave a bit differently.

Try using a set of side leaders. I had the problem on the backs of the first few quilts I made. Then I found out about side leaders, and made some for my quilting set up.

The side leaders distribute the side tension evenly over the area to be quilted. Even with the side leaders, you have to play around a bit to determine the correct amount of side tension for your set up; it may also vary somewhat by quilt. When I used only the clamps on the sides of the quilt, it caused the backing and batting to curve into the center - kind of like a 'c' where the start and end point of the 'c' are where you attached the clamps.

There is a good description of how to make side leaders at this link.

http://cissyquilts.weebly.com/handi-quilter-ii.html

You have to remove and re-attach the side leaders every time you advance the quilt on the frame. It's a bit of a pain, but much less of a pain than picking out all your quilting because of puckers or misalignment.

You can make side tension leaders in different lengths for different sized quilts. For instance, side leaders need to be longer for a baby quilt than for a twin quilt, longer for a full quilt than for a twin quilt, etc. So, the bigger the quilt, the shorter the side tension leader.

I made my side tension leaders out of upholstery fabric that I bought from Walmart. It has very little 'give' compared to cotton, and works very well. If I had a quilt on my frame, I'd take a picture and add it to this post, but I don't.

Hope this helps!

I agree with cathyvv.

I use the LA machine baste the top edge of my quilt and both sides as far as I can go before I start to quilt. Each time I advance the quilt I baste the sides.

ali

I agree, I do this also it works for me, I'm a LAQ.