Please help me. I have a mess.
03-23-2011, 02:16 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Kansas City area USA
Posts: 421
Your backing is not layed out flat enough and the puckers are already there . Spray basting will help but there is the second hand mess of overspray ( glue going everywhere you DON"T want it to go and also the smell....) It also looks like your stitch length is too short.
Rip out....start over....go slow.....try to enjoy the learning process of quilting. Every new project brings it's own new things to learn!!
jodi
Rip out....start over....go slow.....try to enjoy the learning process of quilting. Every new project brings it's own new things to learn!!
jodi
03-23-2011, 02:53 AM
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Upstate, SC
Posts: 2,164
oh this is very helpful to me :thumbup:
thank you
thank you
Originally Posted by earthwalker
Hello - I'm no super expert, when it comes to machine quilting, however, this is how I would proceed - unpick what you have done and put your quilt aside for a little. From what I can see, it looks like your stitch length is really small, from what you describe, your tension is in need of adjustment. Make up a "play" sandwich using similar thickness fabrics and battings to your quilt...then mess about with that and get it spot on before putting that quilt near the machine (this will save much hair tearing and unpicking). You may wish to check your walking foot is fitted/engaged properly and that your machine is lint free, threaded correctly and good to go. Walking feet are not designed for speed, so maybe that could be an issue, and let the machine do the work, don't pull the fabric through, just guide with your hands. Work from the middle out and smooth and check the underside as you go (sorry, I'm not very good with describing sometimes!).
I am sure other board members will be able to help, so persevere...and happy quilting.
I am sure other board members will be able to help, so persevere...and happy quilting.
03-23-2011, 03:07 AM
#13
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
try lengthening your stitch length...maybe 8-10 per inch would loosen that up a bit...put together a small practice piece to work on for awhile so you don't damage your quilt ripping out your stitching...wait until it is going the way you want it then move to the quilt. use the same weight fabrics and same batting (if possible) for your practice piece. personally I hate using the walking foot...i know so many people who use them all the time and will not even consider not using it...i have never had any luck with it i do much better with a regular foot for straight line stitching.
good luck :thumbup:
good luck :thumbup:
03-23-2011, 03:27 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 741
First of all - rip out what you have done. Then re-sandwich the quilt, paying special attention to making the backing as taut as you possibly can before laying on the batting and top. Pin every 3 or 4 inches everywhere (or baste - whichever you like). When you begin sewing, have your stitch length set to medium (probably around 8 stitches per inch), use a walking foot and start in the middle of your quilt and work towards the outer edges. My backs looked similar to yours when I first started quilting and the use of the walking foot and heavy pinning and quilting from the center outwards has worked wonders (have not tried basting spray yet).
03-23-2011, 04:38 AM
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,991
When I prepare backings, I press and starch them. Then I lay them out on three tables shoved together (for a large quilt) and use masking tape to stick the backing securely to the table. Then I set my batting on top, smoothing and patting down and finally add my top, pinning with safety pins all over. I also use straight pins placed horizonatally to the seam, lengthwise down my main seams both horizontally and vertically. I stitch these main seams first, to anchor the quilt before tackling any of the interior parts. I use my hands to smooth and feel for wrinkles as I go along. Stitching these main pinned seams first has really helped to eliminate puckers. I occassionaly get a few but this method has practically eliminated them.
03-23-2011, 04:53 AM
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Bowling Green, KY
Posts: 2,024
Rethread both upper and lower too. Mine stitches loose on the back when the bobbin thread is not going up and over like it is supposed to. I don't know what makes it slip off but it happens mostly after I put in a new bobbin.
03-23-2011, 05:10 AM
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: at my sewing machine
Posts: 1,916
baste the quilt again either with pins or spray and i would also release the pressure of the walking foot.
the pressure is still set for piecing and not quilting.
you have to release the pressure on the foot when putting thru so many layers.
the pressure is still set for piecing and not quilting.
you have to release the pressure on the foot when putting thru so many layers.
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