Puckering Problem needs resolved
 

I am making double oven mitts and when I quilt it, there's to much puckering.
In the image I'm attaching the red is the top layer of the mitt.
The lines are the quilting lines.
There are 2 layers of padding inside between the top and the bottom back layer.
My problem is that when I quilt it together (on the angle), the top layer always shifts & puckers.
1 ) I spray baste all the layers together
2 ) I start at the center and work my way out...always going in the same direction (top to bottom to the left, then top to bottom to the right)
3 ) I've tried starting at the end and going across....it still puckers
4 ) I've tried putting pins throughout the project...it still puckers
5 ) I've tried basting the top layer to the batting loosely...it still puckers
6 ) I've tried basting the top layer taught...it still puckers.

What am I doing wrong that causes this problem...and what can I do to stop it?
(The second image is a finished product using the chili peppers fabric.)

Thanks,
Tracy

When I do those & use 2 layers of batting I quilt one layer of batting to the front fabric & the other layer to the back fabric. Then I baste the edges together before binding. Not sure if that's what you want to do, but it works for me! I like the mitts you are making!

You could use Elmer's washable school glue .... use dots of the glue, iron dry, then quilt.

Using the first idea of quilting in layers: What about after washing? Won't the layers shift outta place?
Would it work to quilt all but, maybe 4 lines? (2 in each direction on both layers) Then position them together, matching (close enough) the top and bottom along the lines and THEN quilt the missing lines so as to stitch them together? (if you know what I mean). Or would that be to much fuss?

I've tried glue before, but have run into machine problems with that and decided never to use glue again where I stitch. I glue, but not in stitching areas. Thanks anyway.

#2 - try quilting in OPPOSITE directions - UP one quilting line then DOWN the line next to it.

Are you using a WALKING FOOT? I think it's a must with multiple layers like you have.

How big are your stitches? Maybe try lengthening them a little. Test on scrap fabric.

Nan - Indiana (where I'm relaxing before company arrives! Yeah ME!)

Yea, I guess I forgot to state a few things...sorry.
I am using a walking foot. Stitch length 2.8
I tried opposite directions before and it didn't work either.

I would try increasing your stitch to 3.0 and decrease the pressure on the foot. When quilting thick layers a decrease in the foot pressure can help. You may want to decrease a smidge on your upper thread tension.

yeah, what she said! Definitely increase your stitch length.

Aside from increasing stitch length and decreasing pressure on the foot (if your machine has this adjustment), it can help a lot to heavily starch the fabrics before layering. I use a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid starch and water. Starching stabilizes fabric so it is much less likely to stretch or distort while you are sewing. Heavy starching helps especially if you are quilting on the bias of the fabric (which it looks to me as if you are doing).

Also, be careful not to stretch the fabric as you quilt. If you do, when you go to cross the lines you will have a pucker right before the line. This is because the fabric as stretched as you sewed. Again, heavy starching helps prevent this as the fabric is much less likely to stretch if it is starched.

Starch should not interfere with your machine, and it washes out.

I would even consider making longer stitches.

I am also making potholders - I can adjust the pressure on my singer 237- and lesssning the pressure helped a lot.

The sandwich is too thick for my Pfaff ID T.