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Question of the Week

Question for the week of November 11, 2002:

Our question this week comes Pat

What can I do with a quilt top that is not flat? I want to machine quilt it but its rippely and hard to get flat. Is it a lost cause, should I give up?

Andrea Hackney :
If it is your borders, take them off and start pinning from the middle to the outside, smoothing as you go and working in as much extra as you can. If you use a very puffy batting such as double Polydown you will hardly notice any ripples.

sylvia :
I had one with the same problem. I stipple quilted it small and it looks
fine.

eily@telus,net :
I think if you try and use spray starch it it will flatten out....more and more quilters are using the starch especially if part of the blocks are on the bias

Marrilee in GA :
I've always been told just to quilt the devil out of it. Stipple quilt very small and close -- that'll make it lay down:-}

Kathy in WA :
Is it the borders that are ripply? Adjustments can be made to help that. You would remove the borders and remeasure them--taking the average of the edges and the measurement through the center and then easing where necessary.

If it is the blocks that ripple, it is possible that there was stretching of bias seams. I have actually had luck bith bad blocks by wetting them and the pressing them. I squared off a block that was a half inch too small that way. I also had a block with a lot of bias that stood up in the center like a bell and the pressing brought that down.

Anita :
Sometime using a high loft patt will help - it doesn't make the ripples go away but it disquises them. If there is too much fullness just ease it in - not making big tucks, just small ones.
Don't make the quilting too close together - The loft helps take up the extra fabric.
Remember - quilting is often not an exact science.
Good luck
Enjoy

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