Quilt Sandwich Question/Issue

Hi there!

So, I'm working on my third real quilt...

I made my quilt sandwich... Laid out the backing and taped it down... Added my batting... Added the top, smoothed it all out, and pin basted the heck out of it.

Started quilting (machine, just lines and stitching in the ditch), and STILL there seems to be shifting and bunching. This is so frustrating to me... What am I doing wrong?!?!? I seriously used sooo many pins to keep it all in place, and it seemed great... It's a heavier batting than I have used before, does this make a difference?

Any suggestions? Ideas?
Help! THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!

Kim

Instead of pins you could try a spray-on adhesive. I just took an intro to quilting class with my new machine and learned a few tricks while there (I've made quilts before - but on my old machine).

We used spray-on adhesive to hold our sandwich together and it was awesome. When spaying it on think of it coming out as hairspray so hold the can back and you really don't need to use too much. Start in the middle of your quilt and work your way out.  You can do the top and batting first and then the top/batting layer with the backing (or vice versa).

Good luck, Beth

What kind of spray adhesive do you use?  Some of it smells really bad, and I am sure you need something that will wash out?

We used one by Sulky in the class. From searching the net it looks like it was the KK2000. It didn't smell at all. (Good to know some smell!) and it is temporary - it would wash out. I'm sure a quilt shop would let you test one out if smell was an issue - or even just to see how well it worked.

Have fun, Beth

Yes, the thicker batting does make a significant difference.

Are you using a walking foot? That is so important! If you are not using a walking foot, your feed dogs are continuing to push the bottom fabric along while the top fabric is NOT pushed along. If anything, the batting allows the top layer to remain stationary while the bottom moves. 

Sometimes with a very thin batting, you can get away without using the walking foot, but otherwise the three layers just won't move along together.

The last post (Cathe) hit the nail on the head I think!!!

I DON'T have a walking foot... That is sooo my problem!!!! Makes so much sense, especially with you explaining it!

I know I can get one, and that's something I definitely need to do! It seemed kinda pricey, and since I have been using thinner batting, it seemed not to much of a problem... But this last quilt was a bit loftier....

Gotta get the walking foot.... THANKS!!!

And that spray stuff sounds interesting! Never heard of that! But maybe I will look into it!

i second the walking foot.

the first few quilts i did before i had one.  when i asked my grama why all the bunching (which ended up tearing as they wore), she explained the feed dogs problem.

they are so, so worth it.

If you're not ready to buy the walking foot; put your feed dogs down and just free motion it. It takes a bit getting used to and I find straight lines harder than curved but it is doable.

Oh my gosh.....has that been the problem all along?  Those of you that use a walking foot, do you only use it for quilting or all the time?

The walking foot also helps for other things - I just sewed the backpack tote: http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/patternlist/company,241,,type,patchwork and needed the walking foot to help me keep all the layers together (fabric, canvas, interfacing).  I tried to machine-baste just one piece with a normal foot, and it totally didn't work.  So I decided the hint in the pattern was right and switched feet.

I also spray baste - it works well, and still holds together even after you've ignored the quilt for months because you decided the outline quilting was too tedious to hold your attention span at the time...

I only use my walking foot when quilting in straight lines.  I was also going to recommend giving free motion a try if you don't have a walking foot. It takes some practice to get it down (getting your stitches even sizes is what I found it took some time to master), but it's not that hard.  You need to use your darning foot and put the feed dogs down and then you can just have at it! It's a ball. 

I've found that if you pin plenty (more than you want to!) I get no bunching or puckers quilting like that...

what a great thing to know.  I am planning my first quilt and since it's using some vintage fabric, I really don't want to mess it up!  I don't think I have a walking foot though

I have to chime in with a big thank you! I"ve never even heard of a walking foot and I've been sewing quilts for a while, just thought that other quilters had some secret that I didn't have!  Now I know, adhesive and a walking foot.  I'm on it.

I'm not a fan of pins or basting tacks, because when I'm quilting I get on a roll and don't want to stop and remove basting aids. 

Sharon Schamber has more than one YouTube video demonstrating thread basting; I've heard nothing but good stuff from quilters who try this.

I use O'Sullivan's Quilt Basting Spray (it comes in a pink can).  It does have a smell, and no matter how careful I am, it does go places other than the quilt when I spray it.  I always spray baste outside (I put an old vinyl tablecloth over my outside table). Since I'm in an area where it's not sunshiney all the time (as most of us do!), I tend to baste a number of quilts at once when I have a decent weather window. 

I've basted quilts this way and folded them up and left them in the UFO pile for months before actually getting to the quilting part.  Just a quick go-over with a steam iron will remove the fold creases and get the basted quilt ready for quilting!

It truly is easier to machine quilt (straight or free-motion) on thinner battings, and I think (JMO) that non-poly battings are easier to quilt through, also.

You can use your new walking foot for very gentle curves, so don't think that you're limited to just straight lines and cross-hatches.  Just remember to go fairly slowly.  It's a walking foot, not a running foot!

You ladies are so darn helpful!  I am going to try making a quilt for Christmas, but always have trouble sewing through multiple layers.  The walking foot is the answer, but now the question is can I find a walking foot for my 1972 White sewing machine!