Hi. I'm new to quilting. I am making a quilt for my daughter, and I have hand quilted the 3 sections - 3 times. I've had to tear out the stitches - 3 times. :evil:

The first time I tried machine quilting but the stitches kept coming out way too close together - after 2 rows I decided it wasn't good so I would hand quilt it.

I am sewing my rows about 4 inches apart, on the diagonal. I don't know if this makes any difference.

The next time I sewed (by hand) I finished all of the stitching and laid the quilt out flat. I realized that the fabric was not laying flat on the backing. :(

I tore it all out, started again.

I sewed about 5 or 6 rows, and checked the back. Same thing.

I know it must have to do with the way I'm sandwiching. The first time and second time, I had pinned it all together after laying it on the floor. That was really hard for me - being on the floor and trying to get it all done. Hard on the knees and the back.
I also had not used a hoop the second time.

The third time, I didn't pin it but hand basted it lengthwise and widthwise. I don't think I used enuf basting.

I also used a hoop the third time. That didn't help.

My next step is to lay out the backing, tape it down, spray it w/adhesive, then lay down the batting, spray with adhesive, then the top. My only problem is, I'm afraid to take this next step because if I get it wrong again, I'm afraid I'll ruin the quilt with the spray adhesive.

HELP????

Thanks.
Martha

Use the spray adhesive, it really helps. and I pin it together also., just to be safe. Are you using a walking foot on your machine when you quilt?
Elaine

Yes, I got a walking foot and tried it. When I try it on a small (4x4) square, the stitches come out perfect. When I put the larger quilt in it made the stitches really tiny (same setting as the 4x4) and it was pushing my fabric.

I'm going to take my machine and everything and go to the lqs that has offered to help me. But I just didn't have time during the holiday....I was trying to get this done by Christmas....but that didn't work. :(

you could baste or pin,that will hold your backing in place.

I tried the pinning and the basting......but musta done something wrong. Thanks.

I use the spray basting on all of my quilts.
I have not had a problem with the fabrics shifting. I am luck that DH has keys to the church which is only a block away and we go there and push tables together so that there is no crawling on the floor on knees.

The spray adhesive allows you to pick up your material and readjust without applying more spray. Always spray the batting not the fabric. That is what my lqs told me to do. This is how I do it; Lay down my batting on my table, adjust my backing to fit the batting. I fold backing material half way back to spray the batting, smooth out backing and do the other half. If I need to adjust I pick up fabric and smooth with my hand. Then I turn it over, with batting on top I lay down my quilt top and do the same. Then I pin randomly. It always works for me.

Ineal - thats a GREAT idea. Thank you.

You guys are giving me great confidence in going forward with this.

I'm going upstairs to spread out the batting now! I'll get DH to help me make sure everything comes out straight. Then I'll pin to be 100% sure.

K, off I go! Thanks again. :thumbup: :D

I don't know if this helps but always start basting or pinning in the middle of the quilt. FYI

with all that handling it can be stretched out of whack too. lay out the fabric and press it again if necessary. press, not iron. then check to see if square. either by folding the top in half or by using a large ruler in the corners.
if all is well, start over. goodness, you have had a time. take a deep breath and follow everyones suggestions and good luck.