mramsden

When I use cross hatch, or for that matter stitch in the ditch I do one direction and it goes great. When I go in the other direction, I often end up with a little fold when I cross over the previous stitching. Am I explaining it so it makes sense? Anyway, how can I avoid this? I iron, spray baste and then iron again. I don't know how I can make the quilt any flatter so this doesn't happen.

Maureen NJ

Here’s a couple suggestions. Lengthen your stitch length and see if that makes a difference. Also, raise your presser foot up so it’s slightly above the fabric or loosen your presser foot pressure (check your machine manual for your particular machine). Hope this helps.

Maureen NJ

Also, use your walking foot if you have one.

Mkotch

I have the same issue sometimes. Thanks for your suggestions. Will give them a try!

WMUTeach

I used to experience the little tucks like you. For me, I slow down and smooth out my quilt in the area where I am stitching. This leaves fewer lumps and bumps near where I will be crossing the first line of stitching. Seldom have the little fold overs now. The suggestions above do make good sense too.

illinois

This is how I do it. When I'm coming close to that previous line of stitching, with needle down, I give a bit of a tug on the entire work and it helps work in what otherwise ends up as the tuck. I hope that explains it so it's understandable.

mramsden

I will give all of these a try. I hate those little tucks!

quiltingcotton

Something else that may help you is to lessen the pressure of your pressure foot against the fabric, if you can do that with your machine.

ktbb

Hope this makes sense! My trick is to use the flat of my hands to evenly distribute the excess fabric as I stitch the seam. If I lay both hands flat on the quilt, one on each side of the needle, gently pull hands apart while holding the fabric and let the machine pull the quilt through. By pulling the quilt taut like this, the excess fabric is evenly spread out over the length of my hands and the fabric that might have made a visible tuck at the next cross seam is evenly distributed across the area under my hands.