sval

Where else to look for info than a group of Quilters.

I am quilting across a baby quilt with a decorative built in stitch. It is sort of swirly, but not very open. I'm using a walking foot. I pinned excessively. But as I'm going across I'm having to reposition the pins as the cloth is bunching up. And then when I get to the other side the top is not inline with the backing anymore. It is actually extending beyond the batting and backing.

What am I doing wrong?

SVAL

Jackie Spencer

Try using a walking foot!!

Jeanne S

You say you are using a walking foot, but I have never seen one used other than for straight stitching. I wonder if that is the issue? Another thought is that your walking foot is not working properly. Are your feed dogs up so that the walking foot can work with the feed dogs to move the top and back together?

ManiacQuilter2

What kind of batting are you using?? Cotton batting usually stays put with a cotton top and backing. Maybe your walking foot isn't working properly.

#1piecemaker

I like to use a darning foot when I use my domestic machine for FMQ. It makes it so much easier. I threw my walking foot in the drawer. But, no matter what you use, you will probably have a little bit of stretch. That is why I always make sure I have extra backing fabric on. I can always cut it off. But, you can't always add it on.

sval

I'm not doing FMQ. Just using a built in stitch. It has a little bit of a swirl to it. It would be ok if it stretched some, but it is totally getting out of shape.
The batting is polyester. I actually thought of that. But I buy the batting in huge rolls at a discount to use for charity quilts. The thing is I've been using it for years.
I really think I have a lemon of a machine. It has caused me nothing but grief. Sucking the joy out of quilting. There are days I'm ready to throw it out the window. today is one of them.

PatPitter

What type of machine is it? Did the walking foot come with the machine or is it a generic one?

Have you tried doing that same stitch on just two pieces of fabric with no batting?

Neesie

Just a wild thought but try decreasing your presser foot pressure, just a tiny bit. Poly batting sometimes has a tendency to slide, between the two layers of fabric. You might also try thread-basting a bit, to see if that holds better than pins.

bearisgray

I think it might be the decorative stitch that is causing the problem.

patricej

i think polyester batting is fabulous for hand or free-motion quilting.
i gave up trying to use it for quilting with a walking foot.