Hi. I'm new to quilting. I am making a quilt for my daughter, and I have hand quilted the 3 sections - 3 times. I've had to tear out the stitches - 3 times. :evil:

The first time I tried machine quilting but the stitches kept coming out way too close together - after 2 rows I decided it wasn't good so I would hand quilt it.

I am sewing my rows about 4 inches apart, on the diagonal. I don't know if this makes any difference.

The next time I sewed (by hand) I finished all of the stitching and laid the quilt out flat. I realized that the fabric was not laying flat on the backing. :(

I tore it all out, started again.

I sewed about 5 or 6 rows, and checked the back. Same thing.

I know it must have to do with the way I'm sandwiching. The first time and second time, I had pinned it all together after laying it on the floor. That was really hard for me - being on the floor and trying to get it all done. Hard on the knees and the back.
I also had not used a hoop the second time.

The third time, I didn't pin it but hand basted it lengthwise and widthwise. I don't think I used enuf basting.

I also used a hoop the third time. That didn't help.

My next step is to lay out the backing, tape it down, spray it w/adhesive, then lay down the batting, spray with adhesive, then the top. My only problem is, I'm afraid to take this next step because if I get it wrong again, I'm afraid I'll ruin the quilt with the spray adhesive.

HELP????

Thanks.
Martha

Use the spray adhesive, it really helps. and I pin it together also., just to be safe. Are you using a walking foot on your machine when you quilt?
Elaine

Yes, I got a walking foot and tried it. When I try it on a small (4x4) square, the stitches come out perfect. When I put the larger quilt in it made the stitches really tiny (same setting as the 4x4) and it was pushing my fabric.

I'm going to take my machine and everything and go to the lqs that has offered to help me. But I just didn't have time during the holiday....I was trying to get this done by Christmas....but that didn't work. :(

you could baste or pin,that will hold your backing in place.

I tried the pinning and the basting......but musta done something wrong. Thanks.

I use the spray basting on all of my quilts.
I have not had a problem with the fabrics shifting. I am luck that DH has keys to the church which is only a block away and we go there and push tables together so that there is no crawling on the floor on knees.

The spray adhesive allows you to pick up your material and readjust without applying more spray. Always spray the batting not the fabric. That is what my lqs told me to do. This is how I do it; Lay down my batting on my table, adjust my backing to fit the batting. I fold backing material half way back to spray the batting, smooth out backing and do the other half. If I need to adjust I pick up fabric and smooth with my hand. Then I turn it over, with batting on top I lay down my quilt top and do the same. Then I pin randomly. It always works for me.

Ineal - thats a GREAT idea. Thank you.

You guys are giving me great confidence in going forward with this.

I'm going upstairs to spread out the batting now! I'll get DH to help me make sure everything comes out straight. Then I'll pin to be 100% sure.

K, off I go! Thanks again. :thumbup: :D

I don't know if this helps but always start basting or pinning in the middle of the quilt. FYI

with all that handling it can be stretched out of whack too. lay out the fabric and press it again if necessary. press, not iron. then check to see if square. either by folding the top in half or by using a large ruler in the corners.
if all is well, start over. goodness, you have had a time. take a deep breath and follow everyones suggestions and good luck.

I really like your method and I'm going to try it next time.

Before I start to baste all 3 layers together I tape the backing to the table so that it stays in place while I put the other 2 layers on top and then either use pins to baste it or baste it with thread.

The first one I pinned...I did not use nearly enough pins. I had a mess of puckers starting... I put a pin every 4 inches or so now and no more puckering. :D:D:D

When I get ready to do my sandwich, I use the big tables at church. I tape down the back, using masking tape at about every 7 inches. I adjust it to make sure it is totally flat. If I mess this up my quilt will be the same. I have tried doing this at home but it does not come out as well. Once I had to take all the pins out and start over because I was not happy with the result.

I do hope this helps you. I know how it feels to rip out more than once.

I take my quilt tops, batting and backing to my mom. She is a long arm quilter. She puts them on the machine and bastes them for me. She sets her stitch length as long as she can get it and uses her odds and ends of thread. Then I can hand quilt them on my Q-snap floor frame and remove the basting stitches when I am done. It saves all that crawling around the floor.

If you don't have a big table and must crawl on the floor, get knee pads. Some husbands have them. They think they are for laying floor tile. If you can't swipe them off your husband, go to the sports store and buy cheap volleyball knee pads. Best money ever spent for sandwhiching on the floor.

Which brands are the best. Also I tried it once and the fumes were really bad. :(

I have never heard of doing it this way . I like it because then you can see if there are any puckers in the back first. Is this better then taping the backing down and do the way everyone else does. This the way I do it and most time after releasing the tape I find puckers in the backing. I am going to try this.

When I make the sandwich, I using masking tape or painters tape to tape the backing to the floor. I use the rubber kneeling pad or sit on the floor when I can. Then lay the batting over the backing and smooth it out with you hands. Finally, lots of safety pins - every couple inches to hold the sandwich together. I machine quilt and my backings come out perfect. Start from the center & work out.

I use the gardner's kneeling pads. You can get them in the $ store, drug store, etc. They have lots of uses besides making the quilt sandwich.

Be sure you are able to secure the back to something before you start to spray baste or pin. I use the blue painters tape, and tape it to a table so the back is secure and wrinkle-free, but not stretched out of shape. If you don't have a large enugh table, baste and pin in sections, starting with the center and working out. Then when you layer the batting and top, the back won't move around. I think that is what may be contributing to your problem. I always spray baste - it helps with my pinning, which in turn makes the quilting better.

I cannot get on the floor my knees are bad.
I have a cutting table that is only 36 inchs wide but if I attach the quilt down the middle first and pin then I can move it to each side and reattach and pin. This has worked well for me. I use those white plastic clips made for holding quilts on tables with less than an inch depth. But the big black clips for paper work also but are bulkey to use.

http://www.sharonschambernetwork.com...ing/index.html

I couple of years ago I watched a video of this method and tried it on a baby quilt. I'm still an under experienced machine quilter, but have decided I can't improve unless I just finish my projects the best I can at the point I'm at. Have fun.

My suggestion is to have it done by someone with a long arm machine.. They can square it up for you and all you need to do is put the binding on.. Than start a new project.. Take a quilting class for beginners and you will be surprised at the great feeling and new tricks you will learn.. I don't hand stitch or tie my quilts that someone is going to machine wash.. and use...

WOW!! What a great idea. I have never thought of doing it this way before. I can't wait to try it. I, too, am apt to have ripples in my backing. Perhaps this will prevent it.

Sometimes my space is limited to lay out the quilt for sandwiching so I hang the layers (with pushpins) from my storage cabinets which line a wall. I then use the plastic basting pins. I love them! It makes it so much easier to hand quilt that I don't even have to use a hoop! Good luck!

I have only been quilting 5 years but have churned out 112 quilts & #113 is almost done and they are all nice sized quilts, only 2 wall hangings. I only pinned the first 3 or 4 quilts and have been spraying since then. I do not bother to pin once it's sprayed. Any of the brands are satisfactory, some are stickier than others (like Sullivan's in the pink can), June Taylor's is just as good as any. Use sparingly until you learn it's properties. The fumes can be daunting but good ventilation helps a lot, however, do not put a fan on your work. I have a king size bed that I cover with a big flannel sheet and do the layering on that. I have bad knees and do not crawl around on the floor. The flannel sheet holds my work firmly and helps protect the work area. Lay batting down, position backing, peel backing back half way, spray batting, and smooth backing down, peel back other half and repeat. Flip over, position top, and repeat process. Anyone need a big box of pins?

I lay my backing on a flat surface, floor or table, than use masking tape in the 4 corners & also the sides to keep it secure, than batting on top, than your quilt top, use safety pins to hold everything tog. pick up & quilt. I have good luck doing it this way

Did you machine or hand quilt? I always heard that you shouldn't thread baste to machine quilt.

I machine quilted, she suggests you remove the threads in the area where you'll be quilting so you don't sew over the basting threads. The width of the herringbone stitch really does a nice job of pulling the layers together and comes out easy a section at a time. You get the horizontal and diagonal basting stitches at the same time. It's also faster than conventional basting. I plan on trying it again with a bigger project. The only issue I had was I skimped some on the backing and by the time I was at the top I was really close on it. The first thing she says is NOT to do that.

I love basting spray. It seems to hold the quilt together better for me.

Another method of stretching the backing is to put two "church" tables together to form a large square. Then put your backing fabric down and stretch it, using large "bull dog clips", (bought at the office supply store) to secure the backing every 12 inches or so. When the backing is taut and even, lay the batting down on it and smooth it out. Then lay the quilt on and smooth it out and stretch it taut if it is large enough to reach the edge of the tables. Pin every 4 to 5 inches. If you wish, use the basting spray to hold batting and top in place.

I'm wondering about why "your stitches are too close together". It sounds like you are having trouble with the quilt not dragging on your machine. You may need to hold it up and make sure you have enough space for it to "float". I would agree to use spray for an easy basting. But I find it is very important to have the backing taped to the floor first so that it is slightly stretched to it's max. Good luck.

Don't use the basting spray if you have a pet bird - It could kill it I do and I don't use anything smelly. I have a glass topped dining room - not near big enough, but it works. I use plastic clamps - from home depot- I clamp the backing onto the table - four each side - three on each end. I lay out my backing - clamp it - lay on batting - clamp it - lay out quilt top - clamp it - using the same clamps. I pin at least every 3-4 inches. I usually make big quilts and have to move after pinning until all is pinned. Be sure to smooth out everything in the same order as before and use the clamps - as before. When ready to quilt, make sure to roll up and stick in opening of machine always start in the middle. I quilt side to side across center then top to bottom down center. I always quilt next to quilting. Always works for me. You have to keep pulling quilt to make sure it doesn't get hung up on pins,edge of table, or any place else.

Be sure you've ironed your backing fabric.

Be sure to hang your batting over a table or rod to flatten out the wrinkles from packaging or run through the dryer for 5 minutes on low heat to get the wrinkles out (LEAST favorable method)

Clip or tape each side across the middle FIRST as others suggested. Also begin your quilting from the middle to outside to keep the puckers out.

Relax and don't be so critical of your own work. The loft of each batting is different. If you choose a high loft or a poly batting you can get more puckers if you are trying to quilt to close. Read the batting package for the best width of quilting.

These are my best sandwiching tips that I've learned the hard way by not doing any of the above the first time. Since then I've developed a tendency to do it with every quilt to keep from ripping and screaming so much. :oops:

Hugs,
Sharon