Ahhhh!!! Drowning in puckers! And bunches!

OK- I've seen some good suggestions on this forum as to how to PREVENT quilt bunching/puckering... but that ship sailed yesterday, and I machine sewed my final quilt border (before binding) with several bunches/puckers (are they the same? Can't they just combine the terms- buckers? punches?)   

ANYWAY, my question is... AFTER you have the buckers, what do YOU do- just ignore? Take the whole border out and re-start (please say no)- ? And wouldn't it just happen again- ?

I do not have a walking foot and am considering buying it if it REALLY will help in the future... but they are PRICEY!

Thanks for your help!

Wow, I'm really sorry, but I think that if it's as bad as you say you're going to have to rip that seam and start over.  But I guess I'm wondering why it happened in the first place.  You say this was your last border--the others didn't do this?  I wonder if the tension on your machine was off on this one or if you stretched the fabric as you were pinning or sewing.  If the issue is that your machine was feeding through the top and the bottom layers at different rates, then a walking foot would solve that problem.  But try to fix your tension first and also pin very carefully.

Again, really sorry to suggest ripping it out and starting over!  But I don't know of any other way to get rid of actual puckers in your seams.  That's rough.  But don't give up!  You'll be sooo much happier with the end result if it looks nice.

I had the same problem with my last quilt.  The backing wasn't smooth before I started to sew.  It had never crossed my mind to flip the quilt over after I had basted it to check to make sure everything was smooth.  So---I went to my local quilt shop and showed the ladies there who recommended that after I baste it with my safety pins from the top, that I flip it over to ensure that it is smoothed out.  They also recommended that if you are laying your quilt out to baste on a table or mat, that you can use those giant clips that are used in offices to clip large amounts of paper together to stretch your backing (or border) out really tight as you are pinning it to be sure it will be taught when you sew it.  Hopefully then there won't be any puckers!!!!

And on my last quilt, since it was just for my neice, I didnt' worry about taking it apart to redo it.  I took it as a lesson learned.  And plus, it gave my quilt character! LOL

Hope that was helpful!!

If the "buckers" are going to bug you then I'd rip it out (as much as we all hate doing it ) but if it doesn't bother you too much and you take it as a learning process then leave it.

About a walking foot...buy one!   It'll be worth every penny.  Mine was only about $20 but then I only have a cheap machine.

All the best!  And if you decide to take it all out I wish you lots of patience!

Thanks for your replies!!! I think I may just buy a walking foot, and chalk this one up as 'experience.' 

I sucked it up and bought a walking foot.  It has been invaluable for many projects...not just quilts.  I think over its lifetime, it will be welll worth the $$.  Especially for projects like a quilt that is such a time investment.  Good luck!