Machine Quilting: I get puckers

by Peggy

I pinned my quilt top but it still puckered badly when I got to the bottom as I did my "stitch in the ditch" quilting. What was wrong?

REPLY:

Nothing is more frustrating than getting the quilt top done, sandwiched, and then the quilting doesn't go as planned. I know how it feels to be in your shoes.

I've found that the layering and basting process, though totally boring and totally work, is critical to the success of my machine quilting.

Puckers in the quilting usually result from a basting process where either the backing wasn't spread and secured properly or too few safety pins were used or things shifted as the quilt was positioned under the needle and quilting began.

I have several machine quilting "helps" on the website to walk you through these steps and address any potential problems. They are listed here:

• Instructions on How to Layer and Baste a Quilt Sandwich


• What To Do If Your Quilt Backing Has Puckers


• Machine Quilting a Beginner Quilting Project


• How to Machine Quilt Your First Quilt shows the order of quilting a quilt. While this might seem a totally beginner topic, stitching those first stabilizing lines of quilting can make all the difference in the final look of the quilt.

I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have further questions, do ask. Use pictures if it helps to explain. They can be uploaded at:

Ask Your Machine Quilting Questions

Good luck to you!

Piecefully,

Julie Baird
Editor