Piecing together rows....NOT LINING UP!!!

This is driving me crazy! Please, I just want to understand why this is happening! Okay, here's the situation.

I had lots of identically cut and measured rows. All that was left was to piece them together, alternating with rows of plain, cut strips. For lack of a picture:

###row made of squares###
###strip of plain fabric###
###row made of squares###
###strip of plain fabric###

Etc.

Why is it that the rows made of pieced squares gradually fall out of vertical alignment with the rows above (that have already been sewn together)? Again, they all started out the same length. The difference from one row to the next isn't hugely noticeable, but once everything is put together, the last, bottom row is probably an inch short when compared to the first, top row. Again for a visual:

##################### <-- top row
#####################
####################
####################
###################
################### <-- last row...now "shorter" than the top row, even though both started out the same length.

Does this question make sense? And if so, why does this happen? What can I do to prevent it from happening in the future?

I would appreciate any feedback on this issue.

Thanks for your time,
Bri

Your seam widths could vary a little. Fabrics can give or stretch differently from one to another. Did you base the measurement of the solid strips on what the pattern said, or by measuring your pieced strips? It's better to base it on your pieced strips. One way to work with it is to mark the centers and match them up, then ease in the fullness as you sew. If you put the fuller side on the bottom, the feed dogs will help with that. Use lots of pins.

There may be more than one cause. As already said, there could be variation in the seams of the blocks. Matching up from the middle going out to the ends is a good method to use.

Also, don't sew all the rows together from the same direction. Don't sew consistently from right to left, or from left to right. Alternate the direction for connecting the rows. In the quilt I am working on, I have 15 rows. I joined them together this way: (from right to left) 1 & 2; 3 & 4; 5 & 6, etc. As I joined the pairs of rows together, I sewed from left to right. HTH

Putting strips together and adding borders are the only time I really use pins, and then I use a lot of them! Pin the two ends together, then the middle spot. Ease in any fullness on each half. Also, Sylvia is right about sewing the rows in opposite directions each time: sew row one starting at one end, start sewing row two starting at the other end. If all the rows are the same length to begin with (make sure this is true!) then there is no reason they should come out to be different lengths when they are all sewn together.

I'm sorry you're having this problem. Don't tear your hair out! Get that seam ripper working, resew those rows and enjoy your beautiful quilt.

Bri, ditto what was said above and I would add that you press each row before you sew together.

The more piecing there is in the row, the more chance that it will stretch.

I agree with all the above advice.

If you get too aggravated, step away for a while. Do something that relaxes you. I know if I get too aggravated, I make even more mistakes.

When I am sewing a pieced row to a long strip and then a row of pieced to the same long strip this is what I do to make sure the pieced strips line up together:

after I sew the pieced row to the strip, I fold the solid strip and the pieced strip on the seam right sides together. On the edge of the long strip that I will sew my next pieced row, I put a pin in the strip of fabric at each seam of the pieced row. I use the pins that I placed to mark the seams of the first row to pin on the next pieced row, starting in the middle and work my way out.

Does this make sense?

Are you starting to sew from the middle & sewing to each side? I pin approx. every 3" when putting rows together. I always start in the middle for the pinning as well as the stitching. Maybe that will help you. JCY

I don't know what's causing your problem, but too much presser foot pressure can cause the top layer of fabric to stretch too much, and on a long row you will get a significant mismatch. Good luck!

Just wanted to add to be careful when you are pressing as your pieces can get stretched.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by katier825

Your seam widths could vary a little. Fabrics can give or stretch differently from one to another. Did you base the measurement of the solid strips on what the pattern said, or by measuring your pieced strips? It's better to base it on your pieced strips. One way to work with it is to mark the centers and match them up, then ease in the fullness as you sew. If you put the fuller side on the bottom, the feed dogs will help with that. Use lots of pins.

---

Thanks for the help! What exactly does "ease in the fullness" mean? I'm still learning the lingo, lol.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Auntpiggylpn

When I am sewing a pieced row to a long strip and then a row of pieced to the same long strip this is what I do to make sure the pieced strips line up together:

after I sew the pieced row to the strip, I fold the solid strip and the pieced strip on the seam right sides together. On the edge of the long strip that I will sew my next pieced row, I put a pin in the strip of fabric at each seam of the pieced row. I use the pins that I placed to mark the seams of the first row to pin on the next pieced row, starting in the middle and work my way out.

Does this make sense?

---

I have to admit, I had to read this about 3 times to figure out what you were saying. But YES! Thank you. That is very helpful.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JCY

Are you starting to sew from the middle & sewing to each side? I pin approx. every 3" when putting rows together. I always start in the middle for the pinning as well as the stitching. Maybe that will help you. JCY

---

No, I was working from L-R (though I admittedly forgot to alternate directions at the very least...probably a big part of the problem!). Is it best to start from the middle and work out (vs. alternating starting on either side with each row), or is it one of those depends-how-you-like-it things?

I'm just a newbie, but I do believe that for newbies it is best to pin as described by others, matching the middles of the strips, and start the seam from the middle (approximately) for each strip. It does make it more time-consuming to pin & sew because you have to turn it after you have done half the seam but sewing long strips evenly is notoriously difficult & I think starting from the middle is probably best for new quilters like me. Jenny Doan can probably do it standing on her head but I can't!

Just remembered something else. You can also use your quilting/walking foot for piecing.

Attachment 80285

Thanks to everyone for your input. I pulled a couple of seams, followed your advice, and everything came out much more evenly than before! Not perfect, but I wasn't willing to pull EVERY seam, lol.

Thanks again to all! It was very, very helpful.

- Brianna

I did something similar not long ago and had problems. Ended up actually taking a marker (one that disappears with water) and marking the intersections on the plain piece. Also learned it is ok to use a dab of Elmer's Glue to place the fabric at an exact spot (I also use a pin). Good luck!!

Looks great!

Oh, I am glad that you were able to solve your problem. The quilt looks very nice, by the way.