I know I haven't been quilting for long (1year) and i am totally addicted however, the last 2 quilts that I have done have ended up puckering when I SID. I am a pinner (and usually use too many pins), not a spray baster and perhaps that is my problem. Maybe I am stretching the fabric when I SID, I am not sure, however, I am really peeved. I take a lot of care when I piece the tops and so am nearly in tears when this happens. The latest one isn't as puffed up as the one before but none the less I am still dissapointed in the end product. I don't want to be a topper only and take all my quilts to be quilted (I couldn't afford it anyway)and I am not a quitter...so what tips can you give me to help me overcome my problems. Thanks very much for taking the time to help out a fellow quilter.

Well, personally I like to spray baste but with a light hand. Then I pin to, just for extra security. I have found because I do spray with such a light touch that some of the backing fabric will slip if I don't pin in spots. To much spray baste and you have other issues.

Are you slightly stretching your backing while pinning? It should be taut, or you could get puckers. This applies for any kind of basting, pinning, spray or sewn stitches :D
Some of us like to starch our backings too, it helps prevent puckers also :D:D:D

Spray baste and a walking foot... it made all the differnce in the world to my SID.
Once I get the backing and the backing and the batting layer together I take a cool iron( no steam) and smooth it all out backing side up. This also helps the spray baste to grip all of the fabric. I repeat then with the top. I have been pucker free since I started doing this.
I do still but some pins on the perimeter just to keep it from lifting with all the repositioning.

When you pin, do you make sure your backing is slightly stretched before you add the batting and top? If not, you can get puckers. You said you use 'too many pins'. They should be 3-4 inches apart. Also, when you SID, do you start from the center? You should start at the center and sew out to each of the 4 sides to get it stablized, then continue to work from the center as you complete your quilting.

What batting are you using? If it is a thick, or high loft batting, that might be causing the puckers. I have found that using needle punch cotton, such as Warm and Natural is the best for machine quilting. It is the perfect choice for spray basting.

Are you taping the backing fabric taut before layering? Not stretching it, but making sure it's just nice and flat and not wrinkled.

And pins are good. Saftey pins and then sometimes I also put some straight pins in if I'm sewing long straight lines.

There are lots of different things you can try. Maybe there's an experienced quilter that can help you layer your next quilt and give you some tips in person. There's nothing like in person and hands on instruction to make things go more smoothly and easier.

i really don't like using sprays---i pin- lay the backing out smooth- but not stretched- then the batting nice and smooth- not stretched- then the top=== pin at least every 4" in a grid (with any luck not where your quilting lines will be-if you can lessen the pressure on your machine foot- or use a walking foot-
and perhaps lengthen your stitch length- if your stitches are really tiny that can cause it too.
take it slow and steady
that's all the tips i can think of at the moment...
personally i hate using the walking foot- but my machine has settings to change the (weight-pressure) of the foot on the fabric-

do you close the pins when you put them in or after you get a few in the fabric.
If you are closing the pins when you insert them that could be causing some of your problems. It is better to pin a section but not close and then go back and close.
also as you quilt, be aware of the back by putting hand underneith the quit and smooth it our and make sure all layers are smooth. Little difficult with a large quilt but you can do it.

Neither. I use Sharon Schamber's method. Once you baste it using her method it doesn't shift or pucker at all. She has two videos on youtube that show her method.

I just got done with pin basting a quilt about a hour ago.
I like to lay out my backing on the carpet in the family room and pin the edges all around it using safety pins, slightly taunt. I mean sticking the pins actually in the carpet to hold it, I had tried taping down in the kitchen and it didn't work for me. I then spray it with adhesive, lay down the batting, then the top and pin it all together, careful not to get the carpet. I divide the quilt up in quarters and only do that much at a time. I always had puckers before doing it this way.

Mary

Spray Baste!!!!!

Is this topic posted twice or have I don't gone and lost my mind. If posted twice you will all figure out why I ask this question.

I recently discovered spray basting and will never pin again! Must remember that a little goes a long way! And if you are doing a larger quilt, it is handy to have a couple extra hands to help hold and smooth as you work....and husbands aren't always the best help...LOL.

I have found that spray basting helps prevents puckers.

HOWEVER, in my experience what helps prevent puckers even more is heavily starching the backing fabric before layering, and spray starching the top before layering. For the backing fabric, I use a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water, "paint" this solution on the fabric to saturation, toss in dryer, and iron with steam. Believe me, that fabric is *not* going to stretch or distort while machine quilting! :-D

Spray starching the stop helps keep the top fabrics from stretching. This is especially important when doing cross-hatch type machine quilting where lines will cross.

Just be aware that some combinations of starched fabric/polyester batting/spray baste do not hold together well. I have not had any problem using 100% cotton batting and 505 basting spray, even with heavy starch. Some people have reported problems with spray basting adhering to starched fabrics and/or poly batting; however, I think in all these cases it was other than 505 basting spray.

Edit: I should add that I never stretch my backing or top. If spray basting, it's enough to make sure it is laid out smoothly. I do use clamps to keep the backing from moving out of position while I baste. Be aware that there are techniques for spray basting that make the process very easy and minimize overspray and cleanup. But that is the topic for another thread!

Twice, I think. I had the same deja vu experience.....

I like to starch my backing pretty heavily and I use spray baste. I lay the batting down and put the backing on top of it. I can see if there are any wrinkles better that way. After I get that done, I flip it over and put on the back.

Some one here posted about using binder clips to clip the layers onto a card table and pin it, then move the quilt around to get it all pinned. I did this on my last twin size and it worked GREAT, no puckers at all and it was much easier on my back.

Perhaps you might have more success with the powdered glue?You sprinkle the glue between the layers and iron to activate it. You could try it out on a sample and see how you like it. It seems to me that it might be less trouble than the spray. I personally spray all of my quilts and I love it.

Thanks for asking. The feedback helps us new quilters

Have you tried starching your backing to help prevent puckers and tucks? I starch everything before I start cutting. And I spray baste with 505.

You do use a walking foot, right?

I don't like spray baste at all - it gets all over everything in the room and if you do it outside, you have to wait for a non-windy day. I pin on a double bed, draping the backing over the edges (if larger than top of bed). I smooth the backing over and over again until taut. Then I lay the batting over that and smooth it over and over til taut. Finally, I lay the quilt top over it all, smooth with my hands until I am satisfied. Starting in the middle, I slide my cutting mat underneath and pin every 4" or so. It works for me! When I was first quilting by machine, I used the batting that you fuse with an iron. It worked OK and got me used to machine quilting. Now I use Warm & Natural with pins. If the quilt is large, I do it in sections.

Even though this topic might have been giving people a sense of dejavu, I'm glad you asked the question again. I'm a new quilting fan too and have the same problems and boy is it upsetting when you have tried to be so careful with your cutting, piecing and sewing...and you end up with puckers! It can make you want to cry. I'm in the pinning stage on a quilt I'm working on now and came to the board to find out the same things you asked about.
Do you use a walking foot on your sewing machine? Because that does help the layers pass through more evenly. Thinner batting and longer stitches are easier than thick batting a tight stitches.
I've read through a lot of other threads, looking for answers. The spray / pin debate seems to have pros and cons for both sides. I guess we just have to try each technique on a test piece and see which we like best.
Starching seems like a huge help and has many enthusiastic practitioners on the topic. I'll have to try it on my next quilt!
But anyway, thanks for putting your questions out there!

I spray baste, then starch and iron both sides of the fabric.I also starch both fabrics before sandwiching. I need the crispness to help eliminate puckers on the backing. The starching and ironing seem to help eliminate any creases in the fabric.

Are you using a walking foot? A walking foot keeps the fabric moving under the presser foot evenly. I only use a walking foot to sew on my binding and to do my quilting especially quilt in the ditch.

This foot is worth the investment.

This is so helpful! Who knew there were so many ways to make a sandwich?! I haven't had issue with puckering, but some of these methods sounds so much easier than crawling around on my tile floor with my dad's carpenter's knee pads! I also was closing my safety pins right away - and always felt my backing was looser than I'd like. Once again, this Board is full of amazing women with wonderful lessons to teach :)

I starch the backing REALLY WELL, that way it's stiff enough to resist puckers. I don't really notice a difference in spraying or pinning. If you are spraying, don't fold the quilt until after it's quilted. Too much activity will loosen the bond. If you need to put it away for a while, roll it up instead. Once you use the spray a few times you will find the best format to suit your needs.

This why I only do either QAYG or use Marti Michels methods of putting the quilt together in units. Yes it takes a little more backing fabric if using 1 pattern only, but you can even use up extra stuff and make a scrappy look on the back. This way I can use a walking foot for SID, and FMQ other stuff. :)

Have you explored "quilt as you go"? You can see it on YouTube. There are also books on the subject. I am new to basting spray but I like it. Others on the board can be more helpful. I am a newbie myself.

QUESTION?? what is the process that minimizes overspray and cleanup? Where is the "other thread" for this topic?

I have a frame set up I normally use. If I'm doing a smaller quilt and quilt it on my regular sewing machine, I love spray basting!

I am fortunate to have a friend who is a LAQ. We barter for the quilting. I do bindings for her and she quilts my 'stuff'. It never hurt to ask the LAQ's in your area.

Can't help with quilting-- I stink at it!!

Me too! :thumbup:

If you have not starched before creating your sandwich, you can still spray starch afterwards. Lay the sandwich on a large sheet and spray starch from the edges towards the center (to minimize overspray). Let dry (a fan speeds up this process), then spray again. A few layers of spray starch like this on both sides of the sandwich can help a lot to prevent puckers.

You may want to look under search feature at some of the previous postings concerning spray basting. I have not used spray basting, but I have I have read post in the past saying that it can cause fabric discoloration.

Can't help myself, must comment. I have spray basted 120+ quilts with no problems, only VERY positive results. Have not experienced fabric discoloration, gummy needles, puckers, or lung damage ;-). I lay an over sized flannel sheet over my king bed and headboard. The sheet helps hold the project in place and protects from over spray. Arrange batting on backing, peel back half, spray lightly (can add more if needed), smooth batting down, repeat for other half. Arrange top on batting and repeat process, flip project over to double check for smoothness, let stand for a few minutes, and proceed with quilting or storage. Directing spray toward center of project helps with over spray. I have never starched or ironed while basting, just sprayed, and I don't add pins. I can now baste a king sized quilt (120x120) in less than an hour and it saves my back and knees!

i only spray baste and love it but remember go lightly and try to use it outside or in a well ventalated room also i only use 505 spray i think it is the best and wont gunk your needle

I tried basting spray and broke my automatic threader on my machine. I noticed the eye of my needle was gummy. yikes

Thanks for the advice Prism! Does it matter if the fabric was (intentionally) not prewashed? And what it there are safety pins all over your sandwhich? Can it still be sprayed with starch?

are you using a walking foot??