quiltykim

Hi all, I am in the midst of machine quilting a quilt in a grid fashion with my walking foot and the quilt measures 81 x 81 inches. I have noticed some puckers happening on the back and I am getting very discouraged :( I pinned pinned pinned. Will this only get worse the more I quilt? and can I fix the puckers later? Thanks a million....Kim in Madison

Prism99

I heavily starch my backing fabrics before layering to prevent this problem.

Since your quilt is already sandwiched, my suggestion is to spray starch the backing several times. Let the starch dry between sprayings; I do not think it would be necessary to iron. I recently gave this advice to someone else with the same problem, and she posted that it worked for her.

Starching stabilizes the backing fabric so it doesn't stretch as you sew.

If you try this technique and it works, please post back! (Also post back if it doesn't work. :( )

I think it is very difficult to correct puckers later. It is much better to prevent them, and starching helps with that.

Be careful of overspray with the spray starch. It would be best to lay down several large sheets underneath your quilt to catch any overspray, and try to spray from the edge of the quilt towards the center.

quiltykim

Thank you! How long does it take for the starch to dry? Kim

Prism99

I never spray starch, so I'm not sure. I would probably put a fan on the quilt to speed the drying, and check by running my hand across to see if it is actually dry before spraying again. I'm guessing length of time to dry is dependent on how thickly you spray. Most likely several thin layers is better than one thick layer of spray starch.

BellaBoo

Doing crosshatching, I'd do line down the middle of the quilt and then the opposite line making an X and then sew every six lines or so line from each of those. Going back and filling in with the rest of the lines last. I have to baste very close on a big quilt or I get puckers and pleats. The back has to be very smooth, no puffyness.

quiltykim

Thanks a million!

weezie

If I don't make all 3 quilt layers smooth and pulled taut and keep them clipped at the edges until I've finished pinning, I get puckers. (I fold the 3 layers over the edges of my plywood tabletop and then clip with 2" wide clips -- an office supply item.)

Oops, I went back to edit my original post, but now I have two of them instead. Sorry!

quiltykim

Thanks. I did do that. I can't bear the thought of repinning it all plus I've sewn 3 seams across already...Only 2 little puckers so far but 2 none the less. Kim

quiltykim

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. I starched the backing and added more pins and so far no puckers! I have to quit now...sore neck from sitting in one spot so long. Will work more on it tomorrow. I couldn't do this without your help! Much appreciated :) Kim

margecam52

Here are a tip or two on basting your quilt to prevent puckers. After laying the backing out (omit that basting spray, it just adds to the problems) on a hard surface (kitchen table, floor, even a piece of plywood paneling laid out on a table or bed will work to get you off the floor). Lay out the backing...if on a table, center the backing...clamp (even bag clips will work)..you want the center of the backing perfectly flat. Now lay the batting on, centered (you could use spray baste here...I find it makes it worse in the long run). Now lay the top on, centered of course. Start either pinning with safety pins (yep will take a lot of them), from the center out to each corner (diagonally)..always starting at the center. Now pin from center towards the top and sides..always starting in the center, going out...will resemble a snowflake pattern, lol.This allows you to be smoothing the quilt sandwich from center out in all directions as you baste it. I use a large needle and thread and stitch long stitches from the center out. Once the center section is done...unclamp the backing (if you clamped or taped it)..and shift the quilt over and smooth every layer, especially the backing. baste over all that you can on that side...working in the same direction as above (diagonal basting, then center...and if you feel there is too much space between, add another line of pins or stitching...gently lift the backing...and make sure it's straight. Oh, I use a contrasting thread...makes it easier to remove later). Repeat in all directions. Does take longer...but is well worth not having to redo anything.

Also, if the puckers are few and not large..blindstitch them closed..close to the quilting line...saves having to take all that work out.