bradleycpa

I just finished quilting my first quilt. Using the Gracie King. When I pulled it off the frame, there was some "bunching" about every 10" all the way across the quilt. The only thing I can figure is that I was bungie clamping all 3 layers as I quilted. Did this cause my bunching?
thanks for any advice anyone can give me.

mighty

Maybe you streched it? Did you baste it ? Not sure what you mean by bunching.

pgmb

I also use a Gracie, I was using the clamps also but then on day I forgot to clamp the sides ..........done just fine
from now on I just pin the sides and make sure the batten is also pin . use the pin perpindular(MS) and at the end next to the roller pin horizonal ...........this has help me.....................make sure you pull all the pins out before you advance the next roll....I learn some thing new every day.. watch a lot of videos and watch Lea Day videos she free motion on her regular machine but I use some of her methods and have learn a lot and adapted some of her style ..............................hope this helps

bradleycpa

Thanks for the info. By bunching, I mean that the bottom has extra fabric between the rows of quilting. the top is nice and smooth, but the bottom isn't.

Joset

i have a grace frame also i just use the bungie cords on the bottom and batting never the top.
i have never had bunching at bottom, knock on wood. ha ha

Peckish

So, your backing fabric has gathers, I take it? This would be caused by not keeping the backing fabric taut and smooth as you're quilting. You might want to check it every time you advance the quilt, get a mirror or crawl underneath to look and make sure everything is smooth and not loose before you resume quilting.

Of course, I'm assuming you were using cotton and not something stretchy, such as Minkee.

lfletcher

I only clamp the backing fabric, never the top or batting.