Years ago my husband's aunt gave me a hand-made quilt top made by her aunt in the thirties. I have decided to machine quilt it but descovered when I was completing the pin basting that the outer edges (which are scalloped) would need to be "tucked" to get them to lie flat on the batting. That is, there is just too much fabric toward the edges. I have tried "easing" it with steam and pressing, but it still would gather a bit on the edges. I have also considered putting in pie wedges of batting, but think it might look odd.

Has anyone had this problem? Any suggestions? Many thanks.

trapunto??

I hand quilted some old quilt tops that were not flat. I did the best I could do with it. After it was finished washed and dried it is not noticeable.

I am guessing that when it was put together, there were not a lot of guidelines for squaring up. They handquilted and just worked in fullness. Just do the best you can, and enjoy a work of heart from a family member. Would love to see a post of it, when you get it completed.

It almost sounds like those bias curves got stretched out over the years. I would add a little more batting in just those areas to help fill them out. Maybe between that and washing/drying it will shrink a bit too and the excess will disappear :D:D:D

I would just make tucks between the scallops. They could be hand sewn seams, pretty easy to do, but I would leave it until you are done quilting to within a foot or so of the edge. At that point you would know exactly how much of a tuck to make at each area. Just leave enough of the top unquilted so you can flip to the wrong side to make the seam with a running stitch (easier than sewing the tuck with an invisible stitch from the top).

Thanks for your suggestions. I'm going to take it out of the closet where it has been hiding for quite awhile and re-evaluate. Taking the tucks in the scallops might be the way, as well as hoping that what is left "will not be noticable". Again, thanks.