i have read several posts today & decided to just ask instead- I am doing a baby quilt with stitch in the ditch the back is puckering some & i am wondering if it's because i dont have a walking foot
thanks for any help i cant post pictures cause i'm at work
i LOVE this board & all of you !

I think you are more than likely correct about the walking foot.

That's quite possibly what is happening - with a walking foor the top material is moved along at the same speed as the bottom material, preventing those puckers.

Another possibility is that the quilt sandwich is not laid out and pinned with the layers all evenly taut. If you're sure you've laid it out and pinned it properly, it's probably the lack of a walking foot.

Probably. The first time I tried to SID was also a baby quilt. I could not keep it from puckering. I had no trouble after I got a walking foot. It could also be puckering if you don't pin/baste close enough or tight enough. Good luck!

I was also going to comment about the backing fabric not being taut when you first lay it out and as a result, the sandwich might be too lose. However, the walking foot can be a contributor to better stitching too.

you gals rock ! i guess i'll have to break down & buy a walking foot cause the backing is taut & pinned thanks!

I don't think you can quilt without pucking without a walking foot. I think you can get a "generic" walking foot for under $20.00. Check this website. Just make sure you get the right one for your machine - straight or slanted shank.

http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/wal...ant-shank.aspx

Thx Donna Jean i bought one from ebay for my high shank & had a couple ladies @ my quilting guild help me & it didnt work :( Maybe it'll try the website you suggested :)

Try lengthening your stitch, I do decorative stitches for quilting, and have used my open toe foot. If my sandwich is good, I have had good results :wink: Even using a straight stitch, I set it at 3.0+ :D:D:D

What king of batting are you using? If the loft is thick and high and you are not using a walking foot it could pucker as opposed to a low loft, thinner type of batting.

I also think it could be your batting. I quilt all the time using stitch in the ditch and I find the poly batts definately pucker more than a cotton batt or a cotton/poly batt. No matter how I pin, baste or pull my fabric taut, I can't get my quilt as flat and as pucker free with the poly batt. It always has that slightly puffy look which is fine for many quilts but it may not be the look you want for your daughter's special wedding quilt. The walking foot will help but will probably not completely eliminate the slight puckering if you are using a 100% polyester batt.

The walking foot is a must for me when I quilt. I also make sure that I do a lot of basting. I only use Warm & Natural so my batting isn't a problem.

i did use a thicker batting so that could be an issue too Thanks soo much I love this board & all of you quilters :)

I agree. A walking foot is essential to keep the layers from shifting so much. Did you baste the layers before starting to quilt?

skip the walking foot and go straight to a free motion foot, you won't get the drag, but you have to have complete control of your quilt.

THX TERESA I'LL TRY THAT 1ST

also change your stitch length a bit longer. this helps.

have you starched your backing? I found that If I iron and starch the snot out of the backing fabric that the puckers are almost non existent except where I didn't get the fabric pulled taunt enough before I pinned it. I also use safety pins for the quilting part. keeps the bleeding to a min when I am rolling un rolling and moving the quilt around with the sid. hope this helps

i dont use starch but i do pin close I also made my stitches longer so i think i'm going to try the free motion foot b4 i spend $ on the walking foot thx !

I really would try and starch the backing because it will help a lot. but it is up to you.

ok thanks ! i'll look for starch brand suggestions on here :)

I just get any kind of starch that is on sale and the spray my fabric to death let it dry completely and then cut it to size. I do this with all my fabric actually, makes piecing the top easier too. there are lots on here who use starch or sizing for this very reason.

THANKS SOOO MUCH !

Let me know how you do.