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

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.

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.

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.

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!!

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?

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.

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

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

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?