Sharon Deming Posted March 7, 2016 Report Share Posted March 7, 2016 What are the best ways to coax backing fabric to relax and minimize the appearance of needle holes that expose the batting? I discovered in the forums that my customer falls into the "red, tight weave, wide backing fabric" category - which apparently has issues with needles, even brand new ones. Of course, I immediately took steps to prevent the holes (smaller needle, looser quilt, etc.), but I would appreciate your suggestions on what I can do to improve the appearance of the back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbm Posted March 7, 2016 Report Share Posted March 7, 2016 Sharon, if you're seeing batting pokies, you should also check that your batting isn't upside-down. Only a problem with blends with scrim, like W&N and Hobbs 80/20. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon Deming Posted March 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2016 Thanks Barb. I use a lot of W&N, so that issue is on my loading checklist. I'll check that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimerickson Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 Sharon: I often use black batting with red backs. I've found that the black "pokies" don't show nearly as bad on the red fabric as white ones do. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon Deming Posted March 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 Jim, you KNOW I will use black batting in the future! Don't know why that didn't cross my mine when she brought over the quilt. Oh well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 So, I didn't understand, so maybe I am a little slow. When you first posted, I thought you were just saying the holes in the fabric were large. Not so much that you were having pokies, like pieces of batting sticking out the holes. So I have been sticking with this posting, but now I am thinking you were talking about pokies....maybe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon Deming Posted March 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 Actually, it's about the holes. So any suggestions about the holes is appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Posted March 11, 2016 Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 I usually don't have much trouble with holes unless I use a high thread count material for backings. they usually have a tighter weave and it's less forgiving. With these types of materials I like to soak them in the tub with a gentle fabric softner, then rinse and hang dry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted March 11, 2016 Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 I noticed the quilt I am working on has big holes too. So, if I remember right, when you unload, and let the quilt relax, the holes will get smaller. When you wash the quilt all the holes will go away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Posted March 11, 2016 Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 Mary Beth most cases I found after washing, holes will disappear or the appearance of them are minimized; unless the holes are because of thread breakage in the weave. When I use batiks I found sometimes I will get holes, so I like to give them a bath to help soften the fabric before use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted March 11, 2016 Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 Okay, hold on to your hat....I have never used Batiks. I did quilt a quilt made from batiks, but I don't recall any big holes from the needle. I was a little shocked that the holes were large in the quilt I am working on now. Just normal cottons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leigh Posted March 12, 2016 Report Share Posted March 12, 2016 I use a 3.5 needle for batiks and load not to tight if that helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cegates Posted March 13, 2016 Report Share Posted March 13, 2016 What thread are you using in the bobbin? I've stopped using super thin threads like Bottom Line because it doesn't fill up the needle hole and looks messy to me. The holes probably do close up after washing, but I just don't care for the look right off the frame. I use Madiera (spelling?) Cotona in the bobbin. It's kind of expensive to do this but I love the way my stitches look on the back, and I can get a lot of thread on each bobbin. This thread with Glide on top works really well for me. Carol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon Deming Posted March 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2016 Carol, thanks for the info about bobbin thread. I'll give that a try a heavier bobbin thread on a batik or sheet-backed "skill-building" quilt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankiequilter Posted March 13, 2016 Report Share Posted March 13, 2016 Needle holes will usually close up if you spray them with Magic Sizing. I have done this and it works very well. Several of my quilts have batik top and back and I use the Magic Sizing to close up holes in areas where I have had to take stitches out. Usually the needle is 3.5, sometimes 4.0, and thread is Glide with Glide Delight bobbins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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