An easy way to smooth my layers?
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Yarmouth, Maine
Posts: 27
Hi everyone,
I have made three quilts in the past year and am getting ready to assemble the three layers for my fourth. I swear I spend more time smoothing out the top, pinning it (or spraying it), just to flip it over and see puckers. So I remove all the pins and try it again, this time from the back. Smooth it over and over again, pin it, flip it, and now I have them on the top side! I dread having to go through this step because I waste so much time pinning and unpinning. I don't trust the spray!
I have a nice flat working surface, I start in the middle, I keep flattening it out little by little, pinning as I go along, and I still cannot get the back to be as even as the top.
Should I just live with the puckers and hope they won't be noticed once the quilting's done? What am I doing wrong?
Thanks! Debbie
I have made three quilts in the past year and am getting ready to assemble the three layers for my fourth. I swear I spend more time smoothing out the top, pinning it (or spraying it), just to flip it over and see puckers. So I remove all the pins and try it again, this time from the back. Smooth it over and over again, pin it, flip it, and now I have them on the top side! I dread having to go through this step because I waste so much time pinning and unpinning. I don't trust the spray!
I have a nice flat working surface, I start in the middle, I keep flattening it out little by little, pinning as I go along, and I still cannot get the back to be as even as the top.
Should I just live with the puckers and hope they won't be noticed once the quilting's done? What am I doing wrong?
Thanks! Debbie
#2
I used to tape my backing to the floor when I basted , then tape the batting, and the top seperately, becareful not to stretch it, just some masking tape in the corners, and in the middle of each side.
Now I baste at the table using rails, from a video I saw from Sharon Chambers(?) anyway, search youtube for hand basting, you'll bump into it.
Now I baste at the table using rails, from a video I saw from Sharon Chambers(?) anyway, search youtube for hand basting, you'll bump into it.
#3
I found this and it looks like it would work great: http://sewjournal.com/2010/09/18/bas...a-small-table/
Susie
Susie
#4
I use masking tape & tape the "backing" to the floor. Then add batting -smoothing out wrinkles with your hands. Then add top smoothing it out & lining it up with backing. Then start pinning from center & work your way out to edges.
#5
I have the same problem. I just read another post on the board (don't remember where) that suggested heavily starching the backing fabric to prevent wrinkles when quilting. I'm going to try it on a small project to see if it works.
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,453
Originally Posted by donnajean
I use masking tape & tape the "backing" to the floor. Then add batting -smoothing out wrinkles with your hands. Then add top smoothing it out & lining it up with backing. Then start pinning from center & work your way out to edges.
that is exactly how i do it..except i layer the batting and then tape down the top too..then pin.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Anchorage, AK
Posts: 1,397
Originally Posted by donnajean
I use masking tape & tape the "backing" to the floor. Then add batting -smoothing out wrinkles with your hands. Then add top smoothing it out & lining it up with backing. Then start pinning from center & work your way out to edges.
#8
Originally Posted by donnajean
I use masking tape & tape the "backing" to the floor. Then add batting -smoothing out wrinkles with your hands. Then add top smoothing it out & lining it up with backing. Then start pinning from center & work your way out to edges.
Rachel
#10
It depends on what kind of batting you're using. If you're using high loft, poly batting, it may be impossible to get no puckers when machine quilting just because of the puffiness. Use a flatter cotton batting like Warm & Natural. Definitely make sure you iron the top and backing FLAT. If it won't lay flat use starch - it can be a lifesaver if you let it sit a bit before ironing, it will take up slack areas by 20% or more. Then iron them flat taking care not to pull things out of place.
Then tape your backing down - making sure it is tight. Apply the batting, which you have let hang for a bit out of the package to de-wrinkle, and tape it down too making sure it is taught. Now place your IRONED top overtop and start pinning in the center. Don't pin too close together because it can distort the layers. When you're sewing, make sure you take out the pins before you get too close to them. And check often that the backing is taught and pull it taught if you need to. And if it's a tiny tuck - just keep sewing because only you will notice it's there.
Then tape your backing down - making sure it is tight. Apply the batting, which you have let hang for a bit out of the package to de-wrinkle, and tape it down too making sure it is taught. Now place your IRONED top overtop and start pinning in the center. Don't pin too close together because it can distort the layers. When you're sewing, make sure you take out the pins before you get too close to them. And check often that the backing is taught and pull it taught if you need to. And if it's a tiny tuck - just keep sewing because only you will notice it's there.
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