I am trying to machine quilting some place mats. After my first attempt, I ripped all the seams out, and did it again, but they are so puckered and I'm so disgusted. I have lessened the pressure foot pressure to 3 (as indicated in the directions on the dual foot), left the thread tension as is... The place mat looks puffy and puckered. Please help.

Did you use a low or high loft batting? You might try using a longer stitch length.

try making the length longer .. that will help, it looks like you need to flatten more and pin it down.

KandiKane

when you say dual foot do you mean the one built into the machine. Looks like it may not have been basted well.
Also as previous post. The batting looks thick. When batting is thicker I use pins before the feeds to help keep it flat.

I have never spray basted, but it might be a help to you.

thicker batting will look like that

I'm using a low loft thin cotton backing, stitch length is 3.

I have tried both spray basting, and pinning. It is nice and flat until I start stitching, then puffs up and looks puckered :(

It looks to me as if it was never pin or thread basted. just let the top lay over the batting and backing and then stitched over.

Stitch length is 3, and using a thin, cotton batting.