I decided against binding so I went ahead and sewed the edges of the quilt together and turned it right side out. I was then going to machine quilt it but it keeps puckering, won't lay flat, etc. Does anyone have any solutions? Help!!
2006-12-19 08:59:59 · 7 answers · asked by emilyanne36 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
I bet you are using poly batting. I can not maching quilt with poly batting without serious pucker problems. I recommend cotton batting with cotton fabrics. Cotton will grab cotton and not slide around. I only use cotton or wool batting anymore.
A good resource would be Heirloom Maching Quilting by Harriet Hargrave. It's a book that's been out a while and you will probably find it at your local library. It has good information regarding making sure your tension is right, different types of batting, etc.
If you are free motion quilting, make sure you have a proper free motion foot but if you are doing straight lines it's best to use a walking foot.
What I would probably do to try to salvage the quilt without having to take it apart would be to get some spray baste. For those who have not heard of it, it's a temporary adhesive that washes out but holds the layers in place while you quilt. A little goes a long way. (Spray too much and you will get boogars on your needle.)
It can be tricky to spray and lay out a quilt when the layers are not attached so it might be a struggle for you to spray baste. Otherwise I would get some old thread and a large needle and baste heavily.
2006-12-19 16:54:04 · answer #1 · answered by blacksmithchick 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Baste, Baste, Baste. Secure backing fabric to a large flat surface, and ensure it is pucker free. DO NOT trust it to just lay flat - it's very disobedient in that regard!
Next, use a good quality batt - cotton is easy to work with. Ensure that you unwrapped, unfolded and unrolled the batting at least 24 hrs ahead of time, to let it 'relax' back to it's proper size. Do this by laying flat without stretching, kind of leave little ripples on purpose.
To layer the batt onto the backing, start in the middle of the quilt and ROLL the batt out, over the backing. Ensure you don't leave little folds, but also ensure you don't stretch the batt.
Your top should likewise have been prepared. Fold it into manageable size, and open out a little at a time, working outwards.
Once you are happy wiht the positioning of all 3 layers, get busy basting! (To do by hand, use a 7" long doll-makers needle, start from the centre and baste outwards).
When you machine quilt, start in the middle and work outwards towards the edges.
After quilting is complete, you will want to lay quilt out flat to relax for a bit, then measure and square up as necessary. Bind in your preferred style, but be careful not to stretch raw edges of cut fabrics.
2006-12-19 21:18:24 · answer #2 · answered by bc_is_the_place_to_be 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have done a lot of quilting with light and heavy fabrics. I found that it is the best to start quilting in the middle. Then you work from center to edge. Then go to center again and sew the rows to the edge. Also, when quilting on a sewing machine, make sure you let it glide under the needle and don't force it and also make sure you have the right size needle for your fabric.
Good luck. I use to be so proud of my accomplishment. It is no easy task and you are to be congratulated. Good luck.
2006-12-19 09:07:48 · answer #3 · answered by Tenn Gal 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the different solutions have given you some very reliable concepts. the main substantial element that i could advise could be to amke specific which you're commencing from the midsection and shifting outward, so which you're no longer quilting 2 patches in direction of one yet another, trapping any extra fabric into puckers because of the fact it has nowhere else to pass. in case you cover from the midsection to the exterior, that extra could be unfold in direction of the perimeters and evened out that way. (attempt to no longer easily stretch the textile, when you consider which you will could desire to "sq." it up on the tip.) you may desire to attempt utilising a organic fiber batting, in case you're no longer already. guy made (polyester) batts could be slippery and your fabric could shift and slide over it as you stitch if that's no longer sufficiently basted or pinned. ensure additionally that the object which you're quilting isn't dragging. help the section which you're no longer stitching on a chair or a table to dodge the burden of the object from shifting the entire element as you try to stitch. finally, attempt utilising tension with your palms once you cover, spreading the textile flat, outward (faraway from the needle section in direction of the factors), and guiding it decrease than the needle. you are able to discover that gripper gloves assist you with this. (you do no longer want the flowery variety you come across at cover shops. The $2 knit variety you will get at Michael's interior the iciness paintings basically high quality.)
2016-10-05 12:40:05 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can you loosen the tension?
2006-12-19 09:50:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Take it to someone with a long arm quilter to do it for you.
2006-12-19 09:03:52 · answer #6 · answered by soxrcat 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
use less bulky fabric, or less stuffing.
2006-12-19 09:01:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋