Stacked Strips

I don't really know what to call this one, so "Stacked Strips" it is.

A fellow Navy wife asked me if I'd make her a quilt to give to one of her friends that is having a baby boy. So this is what I came up with.

The puckers didn't show up too bad. But I will say that using the Minky as the backing didn't result in as much "crinkly-ness" (I know that isn't a word, but you know what I mean, right?) The cotton fabric and cotton batting, of course, shrank after being washed and dried, but the Minky doesn't have any shrinkage, really. But it still turned out nice and it's so soft!

Quilt stats: 

Top:  made with various fabrics I had in my stash

Back: Minky fabric

Measures: 38"x41.5"

what the heck???

What am I doing wrong?

This is why I hate straight line quilting! I basted the crap outta this quilt (I spray baste). I used the Minky fabric on the back and I have absolutely no puckers. It's perfect. It's the top that is a hot mess. See above! There are only a few spots where this happened and I haven't washed it yet because I still have the binding to do. So I'm really hoping after a wash and dry that these won't be too noticeable.

My machine has a dial that I can turn for the presser foot tension. Do you think I should have put more pressure or less? I just can't figure it out. I played with it over and over and never could really tell a difference. I just don't know why my top was getting so many puckers!  So frustrating! Any tips are appreciated! This is why I always free motion stipple my quilts!!

**edited: FYI, I used a walking foot and still had this problem. I've straight line quilted in the past and don't recall having as many issues as this time. Not really sure, what's happening!**

Ticker Tape x2

Here's a couple doll quilts going to a friend of mine for her kids. I saved my Verna scraps from my pinwheel quilt specifically to make one of these someday. I love it!

 Measures: 16x20.5

Front: all Verna by Kate Spain scraps

Binding fabric: Celebration by Brenda Riddle for Lecien

Backing fabric: Darlene Zimmerman's Clothesline Club 2007 "Fresh Picked"

Measures: 16x21

Front: all scraps from my stash

Binding fabric: some no-name red stripe I had in my stash

Backing fabric: "Apron Strings" by Chloe's Closet

Winner!

The winner of the "Arcadia" honey bun is Shannon! Congratulations! I've sent you an email requesting your info.

Thanks to all that entered! I loved reading all the great quotes!

Have a wonderful weekend!

any tips?

Have you ever used one of those "minky" or "velour-type" super soft fabrics for a back of a quilt? Not a big quilt but like baby sized?  If you have are there any tips? 

I have a local quilt shop here that sells end of bolt cuts 50% off and when I saw these dots, I couldn't resist! It's just under 2 yards, over 60" wide and would normally be $16.99/yard. I got it for $16! It's so super soft! 

I have a friend that is pregnant with her first and she just found out she's having a boy. So I thought maybe I'd use this for the back of a baby quilt for her, but I've never used it before and wonder how it will quilt up. more than likely I'll be doing a free motion meandering stitch. 

I quilted a quilt for a friend last month that had fleece for the backing and that went fine. I'd never used that before either. No puckers when it was done!

Anyway, I'm nowhere near using this yet, but thought I'd put it out there to see what you guys thought.

If you haven't entered my giveaway, you still have one more day to do so!