This is the applique design that I have been talking about, the puckering is taking place on the base fabric, you can see it here just above the hippos head!

I want my work perfect too even though I know others may not see as a problem in what I don't like. I've found that over the years I have learned to better match fabric/designs/stabilizers to get a better stitchout. I also think that what works varies a little from person to person. For example, I often do not care about the straight of grain, but others do. In looking at yours, I agree with the suggestion to float another piece of tearaway under the design just before you do the satin stitch because the puckering seems to occur mostly on the more curvy areas. That way you can remove what's under the hippo and keep that area from getting too stiff.

I think sometimes I look to much at something, I don't see it as much as perhaps you do, when the project is quilted and done it maybe ok.
I had a painting teacher say to me, when I go to the park I see the flowers when you go you see the beer cans, I try to see the flowers

2 comments

by pat111otter 21 Mar 2015

That's true! I am very critical where my work is concerned, and when I see the same design done by someone else,with no puckers, I get frustrated !!

by tonilee 21 Mar 2015

I do understand.

I always starch the base fabric before I stitch an applique. I make a strong solution, soak the fabric, let it dry and then iron it to get rid of the wrinkles. Together with the stabiliser it gives nice results.
Your slight puckering will be invisible when the quilting is done.

1 comment

by pat111otter 21 Mar 2015

Done that as well!

Have you used this pattern before on other fabrics? A lot of people make the satin stitch too dense, I've found, and other than taking it into software and decreasing the density, I would try lowering the top tension and seeing if that helped.
Jo

1 comment

by pat111otter 20 Mar 2015

Yes, I used it on a quilt I made for a friends baby, but had the same problem, so I cheated and cut all the animals out, and stuck them on the quilt !! I was wondering if it was the satin stitch that was causing the problem, but I can't leave it out completely, so I'll have a go at lowering the top tension, thanks for your help.

Add another stabilizer. I just float a piece of tear away underneath the cut away that I have hooped.

2 comments

by pat111otter 20 Mar 2015

I'll try that tomorrow, see if it works! Had enough for today, it's cuppa time, and feet up !!

by lbrow 20 Mar 2015

Exactly what I was going to tell her

Pat there are many here with much more experience of applique than me but I use bondaweb on the fabric that I am using. After I have cut the shape from the first stitch out I then lightly iron the fabric before the next stitching which is the zigzag stitch

2 comments

by pat111otter 20 Mar 2015

Hi Caroline, do you mean put Bondaweb on the back of the applique fabric? I'm using Steam a Seam, and there's no way the fabric moves. I've done a lot of applique in the past and never had any problems , maybe I'm getting past it!!! Despite having cataracts in both eyes, I can still see those puckers on the base fabric, and I'm such a perfectionist !!

by asterixsew 20 Mar 2015

Yes, I have put on your other post to stop sewing for the day, have a cuppa and try again tomorrow. Good Luck