catrancher

I second the suggestion about the presser foot pressure.

I swear by the Supreme Slider. It's a teflon sheet that creates a slick surface under your quilt to reduce drag. Some have had trouble with them, but I love mine. You can't use a walking foot with it, however.

http://www.softexpressions.com/softw...SewingMach.php

trolleystation

A folding sewing board can be a big help if you do not have a large flat surface. I put it on the bed and proceed as you all have suggested. It works.

QuiltBoy

My method is to put backing on a smooth floor & use masking tap around the edges (do not stretch) just lay flat with no wrinkles - lay batting over that & again smooth out & tape to the backing fabric or to the floor (do not stretch) - lay quilt top over that & check for squareness...smooth out & tape it to batting, backing or floor (whatever is under edge) - safety pin (quilting pins with the bend in the center) starting in the center & work in a circle ever 3 to 4 inches between pins (a lot of pins are key) - when complete trim edges to quilt top (maintaining the squareness) - now start quilting using a walking foot & be sure the pressure is properly set (actually proper pressure/tension looks & feels kind of loose) figure what your longest "run" will be (stitch in the ditch or across the ditches) & start with the longest runs & then go to second longest, etc. - the only time I have ever got "gathers" is when I crossed the first "long runs" with a secondary run (only happened a few times) - the key is a lot of pins very close & proper tension on the walking foot - good luck!

Delilah

Well Schoolmarm, this is an on-going debate, but I spray baste and have for at least 120 for my 140 quilts made. When I first learned to quilt the pinning drove me mad so I tried spray basting and haven't pinned since. It took some practice but the results are so superior to pinning. No puckers at all. I really think pinning is carried over from when quilts were hand quilted because the puckers could be smoothed out in an "as-you-go" method. The advent of machine quilting calls for something different and spray basting works for me. I can spray baste a king quilt in less than an hour by myself on my king size bed, and no pins to get in the way of quilting.

quilter in the making

I've only done a few quilts, but like others have stated, since I've started taping my backing down, I've had better results. I use masking tape on all four sides of the backing, taping one side down then pulling the fabric taut and taping the opposite side down. Then I move to the sides and pull each side taut before taping down. Then I lay the batting and smooth starting from the center. I then lay the top on the bottom layers and once again smooth from the center. I haven't tried taping each layer, but did have that recommended to me. I have used both pins and spray basting and had no troubles since I started this way. Before when I just hand-smoothed the layers, I did have puckering.

Thanks for mentioning that donated quilts shouldn't have spray basting. I never thought of that and this is something I really want to start participating in.

Good luck!! You'll get it!

Mumzbear

That would be my suggestion to start in the center and work out each way.

rosebeka

I find if I use a 100% cotton batting there is less puckering on the back.

crrdownshift

Yes, I have an acrilic "extender table" that fits around the sewing arm of my Bernina, and it's been great. (I saw it at a New Jersey quilt show and ordered it from a quilting supply store that was exhibiting there.) In addition, when quilting a bed quilt, I move my machine so I have a table behind the machine to extend the support area further and avoid the drop and drag of the part already sewn/quilted. If necessary, I also add a small table to my left to support more of the quilt. If this isn't clear, let me know and I'll try to take a picture.
Also, in regard to pinning, I once saw Alex Anderson suggest using a grapefruit spoon with safety pins, to close the pins. It's a great help for my fingers!

Farm Quilter

http://inspiredbykristal.wordpress.c...pray-adhesive/

I use 505 frequently on quilts on my longarm if I have a floppy side border or to hold the bottom border down to the batting after I unpin it from the leader. I remember reading somewhere that the National Quilt Museum uses 505 when repairing their antique quilts because after 6 months (with no washing) it is gone completely, leaving no residue. I would think that if you used the 505 and washed the quilt after it was bound, you would not endanger anyone with the chemicals.

Stitchit123

I hand baste the quilt into5 sections =center and corners Because I quilt on a treadle I found that if I start quilting my center section out towards the corners I have no puckers Altho I've been told this is the wrong way it works for me but only on my treadle Go figure