Esmerelde

Hi fellow quilters,

I wonder if anyone can help me troubleshoot my Janome. I only got the machine a few months ago. It pieces like a dream, but I'm having real problems when it comes to quilting. My backing fabric gets puckered and distorted and I don't know how to fix it. I just wondered if anyone had experienced anything similar?

Here is a picture of one of my table runners.

JustAbitCrazy

Are you basting the layers first (and closely enough)? It kind of looks like you stitched one direction, then reversed the direction on the next piece, etc. etc. and that the fabric shifted a bit each time. That machine has top feed dogs, right? So that shouldn't happen. That's why I wondered about the basting.

GailG

Don't know what to say about the problem except that it actually looks good. There are no tucks and pleats. What JAC said about the basting may be the problem. I find that since I began basting the bazeebas out of a piece, the quilting goes much better. I'm not getting the tucks and pleats like I used to get. Can't wait to see the top side. Good luck.

JustAbitCrazy

You might also try loosening up the tension the foot places on the fabrics (?). Just a wild idea....

PaperPrincess

looks like you are using a stitch other than a straight stitch, like a zigzag or decorative? If so, you might need to use a stabilizer. However, I agree with the poster who said it doesn't look that bad, especially for a runner where you are not going to be looking at the back.

stillclock

are you using a walking foot? that really helped me.

aileen

Esmerelde

Yes that was zigzag. I never had this problem with my old machine, used to be straight as a board on the back. It was so bad to me that I ripped it all out and re-did it in straight stitch. It still has "waves" like that but not quite as bad. And yes I usually reverse direction when I am sewing in lines which is what it making the ripples change direction.

I basted the same as usual, by taping the fabric to the floor and then pinning no more than a hand-span apart. This has always worked fine for me in the past.

I already decreased the pressure on the foot from the recommended 5 to a 3.

I've got another runner ready to go and I'm kinda scared of messing it all up

Skratchie

I take it you're using the AccuFeed foot for this work? I have the 8900 and I haven't noticed this sort of problem using the AccuFeed ... but I would suggest maybe using a spray batting to supplement your pinning. I always use a light mist of spray to help hold everything so maybe that's why I haven't experienced this problem ...

Prism99

If you take the time to heavily starch the backing before layering, that should solve the problem. By heavy starching, I mean a 1:1 solution of Sta Flo liquid laundry starch and water. My method is to "paint" this on with a large wall painting brush until the fabric is saturated, wait a couple of minutes to make sure starch has penetrated the fibers, toss in the dryer, then iron with steam. What this does is stabilize the backing so it is much less likely to stretch and distort while you are quilting.

QuiltE

I don't have the 8200, but did have the 6600 which also has the AccuFeed ...........
I too am wondering if you were using the AccuFeed??
It works like a walking foot, and it should help avoid this problem.

Also, thinking that spray basting in advance might make a difference too.