i am trying to stitch in the ditch oround the borders on a king quilt. when i get to the last one my top is about 2-3 in. longer than the bottom. i have pinned very close and if i have to rip it again i may get holes (third time) please can anyone help? thank in advance. joan

If you've not using a walking foot, this can happen easily - the top layer of fabric doesn't move under the pressure foot at the same rate the bottom moves thru.

However, since you say you're stitching in the ditch - does that mean you're stitching the binding down from the front? What type seam are you doing? Are you quilting the sandwich? There may be some other reasons this is happening.

can you show a pic. that will help us see better what you might be doing wrong.

try sewing from the middle up then the middle down

The top fabric is stretching as you sew.

Since you have already pinned the layers together, I would recommend applying several layers of spray starch on both sides of the quilt before trying to quilt again. Lay out a large flat sheet, smooth your quilt on top of it (making sure it is squared and all layers are flat), mist with spray starch (spray from the outside towards the center as you go around the quilt), let dry, spray again, let dry, etc. After you have one side of the quilt done, turn it over and do the other side the same way. The starch will stabilize the fabric so it will be less likely to stretch.

Also, ***use a walking foot*** for this quilting job! The walking foot also will help to move the top layer the same amount as the bottom layer.

If your machine has a way to reduce pressure on the presser foot, use it to reduce pressure. This will also help the top layer move simultaneously with the bottom layer.

Make sure your stitch length is not too short; using a slightly longer stitch (not basting stitch size, though!) can help too.

and you need to lengthen your stitches.

A walking foot can aleviate alot of quilting problems, it was one of the best $20 I have spent :D:D:D

Need a walking/even-feed foot.

i am using a walking foot some one said it could be the tension on my machine iwas trying ti do a decorative stitch around the last border i have hand quilted the whole thing and i have been working on this quilt for about 6 months just wanted to hurry and finish well i stitched in the ditch by hand and now i am stitching the binding on 2 more sides to go thanks everyone i willtryb to post picture when i finish

Just to make sure: when you say bottom - you mean backing, right? Did you cut the batting and the backing larger than your top to start with? That really is a must because there will be some give when the layers are joined. With a walking foot (and I join the group who already recommended it) the amount of shift seems to be less.