Quilt lining puckering with Wool batting - HELP!

[Anne B.]

I am using wool batting in a queen size bed quilt I am hand quilting. I am finding that I am getting some puckering in the lining of the quilt on the back side. I basted this quilt really well so I don't think that is the problem.

I think the wool is a little less slippery than poly so it is not allowing me to smooth the fabric on the back side as easily. it grips the fabric more and hangs on.

I also think I am getting a little twist between the top and the lining as I quilt because I am quilting kaleidoscope blocks and they are stretchy because of the cuts on the diagonals, especially as I push up from underneath the quilt as I quilt it. I think triangles just have that nature - obviously, with 3 sided triangles with no right angles, there will always be cuts on the diagonal.

this is a bed quilt for my husband. He actually really likes the puffy areas and wants a puffy quilt so he thinks it is great. However, I am struggling a little more than I would like with keeping little tucks, pleats, etc out of the back.

oh, I am quilting on a hoop - grace hoop2 - I LOVE it!
and I do really like quilting through the wool. it is WONDERFUL for hand quilting. I just need to conquer this puckering problem.

Any suggestions? has anyone else had this experience with wool versus poly batt when hand quilting?

[Margo C.]

Becky, since I've never hand quilted ops: I can't offer any advice for you.

I'm sure that someone with some experience will have some suggestions.

[Margo C.]

I've had this problem too, but with 100% Cotton batting, so I don't think that the batting is the problem. Although you may think that you have ample basting, it might not be enough or you might have basted in some puckers--it happens. Also, when using a hoop, make certain that you are not stretching your backing fabric by hooping it too taut.

[Margo C.]

Nancy, thank you so much for the advice. Yes I agree. after looking at the basting, it is probably not enough.

I had a few other thoughts. for my next quilt, I may baste it with the lining side up. My quilt tops are usually starched quite well so they lie flat. I don't usually starch the lining. If I baste with the lining side up, I will be able to smooth it more as I go.

my other thought is starch the lining fabric next time. I think it will keep it a little smoother.

I have also decided that for this quilt I am working on I will quilt the exterior of the block and then fill in the middle. Not quilt the exterior of every block first, just each one as I go. I think this will isolate that particular block from the rest of the quilt and maybe keep it all smoother.
Who knows, I am just trying things.

What do you think, Nancy and Margo?

[Margo C.]

Becky, I have never done any hand quilting, so I'm not sure how much basting is enough, but when I quilted on my domestic machine, I would put a pin about every 4" all over the quilt to keep everything lined up.
I pin basted on the floor by taping the backing to my vinyl flooring so that it was taut but not pulled tight, and smoothing the batting and quilt top in place.

Since you are hand quilting, would the extra starch in the backing be a problem? I don't know. Maybe you could try a small practice sandwich to see if more starch makes it harder to needle?

I now quilt on a HandiQuilter16 mid arm machine, so neither of those issues are a problem for me now. I'm a lucky lady!!

[Margo C.]

HI Margo. You are lucky to have the HQ16. very nice!

Yeah, I don't know about the starch in the back either. might be too much for hand quilting. I will do as you suggest - make a small piece and see how it goes. excellent idea to try a small size first - could be great, could be too much resistance.

I basted every 4 " in a cross hatch grid. I think the problem was that I didn't pull the lining taut with tape or clips (I hear some quilters use binder clips to clip the lining to the table top). next time, I definitely will because this has created more work for me than I would like.

[Jo H.]

Becky,

I have the same hoop as you and am using wool batting and hand quilting my queen sized quilt as well. I just pulled my quilt out of the hoop and really inspected the back. The back is nice and flat and no puckers. I basted my quilt using Sharon Schamber's method and the stitches are a palm's width a part and 3 fingers down all over. I started quilting in the center block and have quilted out from there as I go. Each block is different and there are lots of seams.

My only thinking is that the thread that you used might be a little too slippery and is not holding the quilt package together well enough. I used a number 8 DMC cotton and it really has held the quilt sandwich together nicely.

[Jo H.]

Ladyquilter -
WOW!!! I just watched Sharon Schamber's basting method on youtube!. that is fantastic! I wish I could start all over and follow her method, but I have a good bit of quilting done already.
Using the 2 boards is very similar to how a quilt unrolls on a large floor frame. what a good idea and lots of control.

I agree with you on the thread. I used a very smooth thread. it allows the layers to move around. I am going to get some DMC cotton and tatting thread as Sharon suggested.
I also like the stability of that herringbone stitch she used. I holds the layers in four points in a rectangle.

Isn't it great for us to have this forum on TQS!

Thanks you everyone!!! lots to think about and to try.

[Margo C.]

Here's are links to Sharon Schamber's basting tutorial:

part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhwNylePFAA

part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_EjBGz5vGQ

[Margo C.]

Becky,

You've received some great advice and I don't have anything else to add. I, too, have a quilt sandwich that is about 90% hand quilted with puckers on the back. I was so frustrated that I think it's part of the reason why it's been in this UFO state for more than three years. Only the borders of this queen size quilt need to be quilted, but it's sad to know that I've put in so much time and effort into a quilt that I won't be proud to give to its intended recipient.

In the future, I might pay to have a longarmer baste any large quilts that I plan to handquilt. It would be worth it not to have to crawl on all fours for hours or days to baste it myself. Lap size or smaller are not a problem, since I have a very large kitchen island to use for basting.

[Margo C.]

Hi Nancy,
finish it and give it anyway. your heart is in it - that is what is important to the recipient! I just know that he or she will love it!

yeah, having a long arm quilter baste for me is sounding like pretty good idea to me right now also. . . . . . . . . . . .

[Margo C.]

Hmm, my first thought is: When I am done making a quilt, the first thing I do is stick it in the washer and dryer. If it comes out whole--it is a quilt. When I take it out of the dryer--it is puckered--it is the look I am going for. Little puffs and puckers. Any imperfections are lost in the puckers. My advice--wash it, dry it and enjoy the puckers. ;~)

[Dawn S.]

Okay, I am laughing here! At myself. Sometimes we live and learn! I have always heard how wonderful it is to have a quilt basted on a long arm, and since I have a good friend who had just received one and needed some practice, I gave her one of my quilts to baste. I quilt on a short arm domestic machine. :shock: I don't know what I was expecting, but not all of those LONG threads, both top and bottom. So, the first thing I did when I got it back was put a ton of safety pins in it and then clip and pull all of those basting threads. There was no way I would have been able to push and pull a big quilt under my needle with all of those threads! THEN, I find out long arm basting is for those who wish to hand quilt. :roll:

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

[Dawn S.]

Dawn...I am laughing along with you! I was thinking of having my next quilt basted on a long arm. I didn't know it was only for hand quilting either. (I am going to be a big girl and quilt a big quilt. Now it is not a hugh quilt, just 72 x72.) I have used Sharon Schamber's basting method on my crib quilts. (I love her method! Or, love it as much as you can love basting). And with Margo's handy link to Sharon's hand basting video in the forum the other day I watched it again. I am going to get some long boards and try basting my "big" quilt that way. It is the only basting method I have tried that I don't hate. So Margo...thanks for that link. Hand basting Sharon's way is not that bad!

[Margo C.]

I hate to disagree, but a quilt can definitely be basted by a long-armer for quilting on a domestic machine!!!

Just ask that they use Superior's VANISH thread and stitch horizontal lines about 4" apart with a stitch length of about 4-6 SPI.

This thread will wash out of the quilt when you launder it, and you won't have the long basting threads to deal with.

Obviously, this is NOT recommended for a wall quilt or show quilt that will not be laundered.

I do this with a lot of my own quilts that I do on the long-arm. It allows me to baste the entire quilt quickly, then I can easily roll to whatever part I want to work on without worrying about shifting and puckers.