Tablemats and birthing method
 

I've just had my first go at making some tablemats using the birthing method. My problem is this: when I topstitch around the edge, the opening (through which the quilt has been birthed) always seems to get a little pucker in it, which I have been unable to avoid (I made 6 of them, and it happened on every one, to varying degrees). The pucker is always on the top, so it's quite noticeable. I used wonder clips to keep the opening tucked inside, perhaps pins would work better? Any hints or tips will be most appreciated!

Do you use an even feed/walking foot when you sew around your sandwich (before you birth it)? The top fabric may be slipping a bit. You could also experiment with the placement of the batting in the sandwich. You often are instructed to place it against the backing, but it will also work if you place it against the top. I would also pin for the first stitching, then use the clips for the top stitching.

If you are like me, you want the top to overhang a bit, so the back does not show on the front side.

When I layer my sandwich (before birthing), I pull the back a scootch tighter, about 3/16-1/4" shorter than the front, easing it all around the outer edges. When I birth, the back is smaller, and pulls to the back, thus disappearing.

This makes the front a tiny bit bigger, so you can get puckering in the birth opening. Try to have no ease at the opening, just on the sewn sections.

When you sew around the sandwich (before birthing), you want to make a 45 degree turn and sew off the edge of the seam allowance. (The colons represent your seam line to the outer edge of fabric.) I cant send a pic or a EQ drawing so try this:

-----------stitching line---------------: (Opening) :-------------------
________cut edge______________: (opening) :______________

When you turn it inside out, these sew-off-the-edge bits pull the seam allowance inside the placemat.

Also, if you use some kind of "batting", that helps keep the placemat from puckering. I use flannel. Gives the placemat another layer to protect the wood from the heat of the dishes, and a bit of absorption of liquids.

Thank you for some fabulous advice! I really should have thought about the walking foot before, so I'll definitely try that next time (I have a bunch of other placemat tops ready to be made up!). As these ones are already done, I might just put some binding on them so that the pucker is covered up, as I want to try and sell them, and these are not up to scratch for that at the moment!
I think the order I did was batting, backing, top (from the bottom) and I did pin the sandwich, but not with very many pins, so maybe I need to pin it more thoroughly next time!
I like the sound of the 45 degree sewing off the edge to help with turning under! I definitely found that part the hardest, so I think that will really help!

Can you piece the backing? If so, you can leave an opening in the back seam to turn thru. This way you can stitch all the way around your piece and hand stitch the opening on the back where it will not show.

Before I sew around I use fusible web and fuse the opening closed. I use the lightweight sewable fusible. I then don't have to worry about things moving around on me and I don't have to pin the opening closed.

Method I learned. Sew the seam shut & if you have a border untsitch that. & turn. did 3 sets & they looked nice. I can never get the seam closed nicely until I did this method. sorry I don't do pics. & don't remember where i got the idea. Maybe a quiltmaker mag with a quilt.

Do you have any Wonder Tape? It's a narrow, double-sided, sticky tape that washes out. Since it's sticky on both sides, the cloth doesn't have a chance of moving.

I bought it for sewing zippers and now I use it for lots of things.

Tate

Even with a walking foot i used to have trouble with that uneven-ness....Elmer's school glue to close it up before sewing solved the problem for me. Oh....and i also always leave a little extra seam allowance in that area.

Thanks for posting this thread.

Some great ideas right on time!

(I'm making placemats for my mom)

This is what I do and it seems as if the opening closes better there and I the quilting will hide some if it isn't perfect.

This is the right thread at the right time:) I'm also making placemats and some really good ideas. Thanks

I love that stuff! I use it when joining binding, I found a "cheater" method online that works very well for me. No more too-tight or too-baggy binding for me!

Whenever I birth a potholder, place mat or similar items I always slip stitch the opening closed by hand after it is turned and before it is top stitched. You can do it without the stitches even showing by using a fine needle to get little stitches and using the fold to run your thread along. It makes the top stitching easier to do and overall just looks nicer I think. I recently gave some microwave bowls and potholders to a friend and she kept going around and around the edge to figure out how I made them as she couldn't find the area where I had turned them. I don't use my walking foot to top stitch the edge because it doesn't like it when I am stitching close to an edge and only a small part of the walking foot is on the fabric.

If the edge is on the bias, could it be stretching just a bit when you turn the quilt right side out through the opening? Hence the little extra fabric which results in a tuck?

You are getting that bit of pucker probably because the fabrics are being stretched as you squeeze the whole thing out of that little opening.....try leaving a bigger open section for turning out......after I've turned out, I iron down that edge all around...folding under that open seam and the steam will tighten it up if there is a pucker.....just a hint....

I do, too - I have found this works well. :-)

Marysewfun

Paper Princess and Quiltmouse have the right ideas. When I use the birthing method I always let the top go just a smidge over, we're talking tiny amount and it works perfectly. Another tricky time is when you are doing circles using the birthing method, such as coasters. I used to screw these up regularly until I found that if I cut them out on the bias there was just enough give to allow me to make a nice smooth closure without puckers.

Wow! I love this idea. Thank you big time.

Thanks for so many great suggestions! I have 4 more sets of placemats ready to birth, so I think I will have a go at all of these methods! I picked up some wonder tape today, so will try that next!

Recently at a quilt expo I was taught this trick, but I haven't tried it yet. She swears it prevents that pucker. The solid line is the edge of your material and the slashes are the stitch line. instead of ending straight you stitch out to the edge of the fabric and lock stitch it so it doesn't unravel before you turn. If you try it let us know how it works please.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]514141[/ATTACH]

What I do is while you still have it inside out, press the seam allowance in at the opening, I find this works for me.

I prefer to use the birthing method for small wall hangings, table runners and placemats; but every so often, no matter how careful I try to be, there has always been a little pucker at the opening. I tried using 1/4" Wonder-Under (or other brands like Steam A Seam) to close the opening using the iron to fuse the opening and I find I get better results. It can be an extra step, but when I sew around the edge of item I'm birthing I like how the opening stays together, with fewer puckers. Hope I have explained this well enough for you.

I decided to rip out my topstitching on the ones I had already done and just sewed them again using the wonder tape. That stuff is some kind of magic! Seriously can't believe the difference! I can see myself using this stuff a lot in the future! Thanks so much for the suggestion!

This is the method I also use. Sew all the way around using my walking foot, then open the amount of space you need to turn it. Makes for a smooth seam.