I get so disgusted...ready to give up

I am so inspired..so wanting to make this work. I cut, I double measure, cut once, pin, press, baste, double check, stay calm..all the things that I have read in blogs, here on this forum and watched on tv..all the tricks of the trade and how-to's...yet still...I can never get everything cut the same size. To small to large and it just is absolutely amazing and mind boggeling that I can cut fabric with the same template, at the same markings and then when I go to sew them together, they are not the same length.

I just finished some placemat tops...3,1/2 squares sewn together to make a 6x 3,1/2" block. Yet the squares were to small once sewn together and didn't fit the strip piece. Or they are to short, or to long. I just don't get it. What am I doing wrong? I can't fix the problem if I can't find it, and I can't find it! I press, spray startch, 100% cotton, measure with templates, use pins, mark seams, use seam gage, press seams open, to the side, and then go to put it all together and this group (like for 1 placemat)_ will go together fine, the next one won't. I rip seams, put back to gether and still...doesn't fit so I have to cut new ones. This time they wil fit. But I even mark the area on my template with masking tape to mark the line to line the fabric up on and do it gently so as not to stretch the fabric... I have lieterally done everything I can think of or have read about..and still...things don't line/match up and I see that I am no Elenor Burns! How do they do that without even using pins!!! I copy what they do...but mine don't come out nice and neat and measured like theirs does.

Does anyone else have this problem and if so...what have you done to try to fix it? Anyone have any tips or tricks to share to help me keep my sanity and stay quilting? I mean, these placemats are just normal size and I made 6 and I am ready to quit! And all over 3,1/2 squares! HELP!!!!

Just a couple of questions. I'm sure you've done this, but are you sure you 1/4" seams are 1/4"? I use to think mine were until I bought a accurate 1/4" foot. The other question is, you mention "template", are you working with one the size of a square, or a ruler? If it's a template, I understand that sometimes they move around just a bit, which would throw things off. Hopefully other will have better suggestions.

Hey, Coffee. I'm sorry that you're having such problems. My only question is, are you a perfectionist?? I used to be and I used to have the worst problems with blocks not coming out right. Once I gave up on that, let my imperfections be my "style" things got better. I don't fuss so much. Okay, maybe I have to ease this seam because things don't match perfectly, or I might have to stretch the fabric just a tad....I'm okay with my seams not matching up just so! I hope I've helped just a little. :-)

Pam in Vegas

I just started quilting and so far I've made a table runner, a baby quilt and I'm working on my first quilt "of size", it's almost a queen size. If I was following a pattern or something that I wanted to be exact I would probably be in the same boat as you. I decided though that to start out I would just wing things. I designed my own patterns, cut my own fabric and don't really bother with size. For this queen size quilt I just used nine different prints and the one I had the least of that's how much I cut of the rest. It turned out to be almost queen size. I'm not a great cutter, measurer, or sewer, (sew-er not sewer... lol) yet but I thought that if I work on things that I could get away with having seams that don't line up squares that aren't quite square I can work on getting my skills better first and then the rest will come. And sure enough I'm getting better. Sometimes I think I'm getting worse but it's really a learning process. Please don't get discouraged. Try not to focus on perfection and just call all this early work 'practice'. Soon you will be looking back and it will all have paid off.

Am I missing something? You said you where sewing two 3 1/2 inch blocks to make a 6 x 3 1/2 inch block. Wouldn't that be a 6 1/2 inch block by 3 1/2 block/rectangle? In any case, I would make them bigger and trim them to the size you want them to be once sewn together.

I was just going to say the same thing as madampolo - cut your pieces a bit bigger 3 & 3/4 or 4" if you like, then once they are sewn together, trim to size using the seam line as a guide - 3" either side of the seam line and 3 1/2 wide. It might be a little more work but worth it in the end. Don't give up - walk away - take a break - but don't give up totally. I know how you feel and I'm sure we've all probably been there. Take Care and Happy Quilting!

I don't know what you are talking about.
My fabric always cuts perfectly, my seams always line up, I never loose the points on my stars or triangles, my house is spotless, I make all of our meals from scratch, my children are always perfect angels, my gardens don't have weeds or bugs, my husband is the image of a viking god, and that is such a load of crap I'm gonna have to get out the tractor to move it!

I think we all had trouble at first. Without being able to watch what you are doing, it is hard to figure out what might be going wrong. You might check with your Local Quilt Shop (LQS) to see if there are any quilt groups that meet where you might be able to get some one-on-one advice or guidance. Most of us quilters are a helpful bunch and would gladly help you figure out things.

Good luck and don't give up!

I got much better after I started using a 1/4 inch foot. I never sew without it now. but still not always perfect. I also before sewing my blocks together I will trim them all up to the the same size.

My dear, you are having way too much stress over this. This is supposed to be fun. Do you have a "Shape Cut Ruler?" It makes cutting strips and squares very accurate. Have you tried sewing your squares together with the grain going in the same direction on each piece? For the most part I don't pin. I find it better to have the fabric free of pins so I can manipulate the pieces as I'm sewing to make them fit together properly. The only time I pin is if I'm sewing pieces together where the seams aren't able to nest. Sometimes I'll pin the seams together when I'm sewing rows.

If you have one piece that is slightly larger than the other sew with the larger piece on the bottom. The feed dogs will usually make the adjustment so the two pieces fit by the time you've reached the end of the seam. There's also nothing wrong with using your hands to manipulate the fabric as you're sewing. Make sure you're sewing against that 1/4" guide all the way to the very end of the seam. I've discovered that sometimes I'm not careful to sew a full 1/4" at the end. It sometimes drifts away from the 1/4" as I'm about to finish the seam. Open up the seam and check to make sure you've got a 1/4" seam past the point. If not, put it under the needle and sew a bit deeper. Make sure you're sewing on the side of the block where you can see the intersection of each point. Sew just to the right of the point.

It's fabric. It's not paper. It has stretch and movement. You have to work with that. You've got to go slow and use your eyes to make allowances. If you have to fudge a bit into the seam to make sure your point is exposed do so. Don't do it abruptly. Look ahead and see if you're most likely going to cut off the point. If so, begin a gradual adjustment into the seam so you don't cut off the point. If you're whizzing along making sure you've always got 1/4" seams you are going to be frustrated when you turn it to the right side and see your point is cut off. Yes, you need to aim for that 1/4" seam but it's not cut in stone. I sure wish I could watch what you're doing to see what's causing you so much grief. Can you take a beginner class somewhere so an instructor can give you some guidance?

One other comment - I've looked at your quilt album and your work looks fine. You've managed to make some successful quilts. You must be doing something right! As it's been suggested, maybe you're putting too much stress on perfection in your work. I aim for perfection but it's never perfect.

I strive for excellence...not perfection! If you expect perfection from yourself you will never stop beating yourself up. I would recommend you lay your sewing aside for at lest one day and don't worry about it. I think all the suggestions you received here are very good. You need to be kinder to yourself....quilting is a skill we learn from practice and more practice. Your work in your album is very good....Hugs, Barb

I agree with the ladies who suggested that you make larger squares and then cut them to size so they are exactly the size you need. Also over time I notice that I am now sewing a scant 1/4 inch seam. Then, if I need to take in a bit more I'm not ripping out seams. These scant seams allow just a tad more fabric to work with. I definitely am not a perfectionist. My favorite quilts are the vintage ones with grandmas make do scraps from everyone's clothes. That odd print that she had to add to have enough. I have a couple of those that I found at flea markets and my dream goal is to be able to make something as interesting as those.
Brenda

Elenor Burns does not get it right every time. No one does. I'm sorry I can't help you with the problem.

Good morning Cheri! Please don't give up. Is there someone you can get together with to perhaps watch what you are doing? Sometimes, it's the littlest thing that we don't see ourselves. I know it can be frustrating after we've spent all our time being so careful and then not have our pieces match up. I've been at this for about 17 years and I still have troubles sometimes with what you are talking about.
I do remember one time that someone said when you are cutting, those lines on our rules can be pretty 'thick'. So, they make sure their fabric is a thread to the right or to the left of that line. I don't know, I wish I could come over and watch ya!! I watch my sister and she swears that she is sewing a straight line, but when I watch her, her fabric is not lined up with the point in the presser foot to give her an accurate 1/4" seam. It took her awhile to tell me she was having a hard time seeing where she was going cause her lighting was good - haha!
How about a class? I get so much information from those - even from other students in the class.
I wish I could help cause I can feel your frustration.
I can give you some HUGS though!!!!!!

Hugs,

Hang in there. I just take a deep breath and try again. I am not a perfectionist and that does help. As long as it's close I don't worry to much.

I am relatively new at quilting...a beginner actually. I know how you feel. I am taking a free class from "Craftsy", called the Block of the Month with Amy Gibson. This has really helped me. As far as cutting goes.... I really have struggled with it. BUT, I am getting much better. When it comes to templates; I trace around the template on the fabric, or trace around the paper to make sure that I am more accurate. I also may baste a seam first to make sure that my points and seams line up correctly. If not, basting is not hard to take out and try again. At the time we are ready to give up is the time when we are about to miss the miracle of learning a new skill. I have been a perfectionist for most of my life and learning to quilt is teaching me that not being perfect at absolutely everything is A OKAY. Whew! what a relief. You are a good quilter. We are all here with you.

Have you checked the tension on your machine? If things are ending up too small it could be take up on your sewing machine being the culprit, not your cutting.
The shape cut ruler is a real help when cutting, it has helped me enormously. I also have started sewing a thread or two less than a 1/4 inch seam and my results have improved. Just keep plugging away, once everything is together, quilted and washed they are all beautiful.

I have yet to make anything where everything lines up as it is supposed to. My motto is: If it isn't going to be judged in a show, or hung in a museum, the little mistakes just make it that much more 'home made'. We all strive for perfection,but few ever attain it. Take a chill pill, walk away from it, and tell yourself, nothing in life is perfect, so why should I worry about a few place mats. I am sure they will look wonderful when they are finished.

when I first started quilting, nothing and I mean nothing lined up....my blocks, my seams, etc....just learned this year I was using the wrong rotary cutter (for me that is). Now my cuts are better and I am no longer shaving my rulers....yes, shaving my rulers...anyway I kept plugging at it and improved over time...learned how to fudge this and that and never had a reciepient (sp) ever complain about a guilt or placemat that I gave them! Your work is beautiful and remember only God is perfect

One thing that might help with the templates is to glue a couple pieces of rubber or sandpaper on the underside of the template. It's very easy to move them when cutting with a rotary cutter. I'm like you watching the videos of them speed sewing. I can't do that and make things turn out right even though I've been sewing for many years. I do pin at the points to make them match, also in a few places if I'm sewing a long seam. Using a 1/4" foot helps a lot too. As everyone said, practice and time will help your skill. When all else fails, walk away and come back to it the next day. Not meaning to sound like a religious nut, but if it's not going well I say a prayer for help.
Good luck. Ann

Don't fret! If people wanted perfection, they would prefer quilts made by a computor...........they dont, they love handmade. When I started, I named my mistakes with rude words...... somehow it took the bitterness out. Now I just go hmmmmmmmmmm............ na that will quilt out (and i make sure it does! ) and extra squiggle, applique....whatever and not even you can see it. I once made a quilt that was so badly lined up I put a button on each point...........people LOVED that quilt!!

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Originally Posted by Divine Daisy

I once made a quilt that was so badly lined up I put a button on each point...........people LOVED that quilt!!

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There goes my button stash!!

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Originally Posted by brook

Just a couple of questions. I'm sure you've done this, but are you sure you 1/4" seams are 1/4"? I use to think mine were until I bought a accurate 1/4" foot. The other question is, you mention "template", are you working with one the size of a square, or a ruler? If it's a template, I understand that sometimes they move around just a bit, which would throw things off. Hopefully other will have better suggestions.

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Yes on the seams. I have to set the needle at 6.1 and have the seam gauge thing on the side for extra sure and then I have sewn a seam...and measured with seam gauge to make sure it is 1/4". I even have it posted on the machine to always set needle at 6.1...can't miss it - it is on masking tape right above where the needle goes up so I see it every time and never forget. Gotten pretty good at remember ing it anyway, but that note is still there.

Templates I use are Omni Grid...squares, rulers etc. I know they move so I have the little gripper dots on the corners of all of them and always line up on the healing matte the sides that go beyond the fabric I am cutting. I put a phone book on the fabric that I am not cutting just to hold that in place so it doesn't move.

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Originally Posted by phoots

Hey, Coffee. I'm sorry that you're having such problems. My only question is, are you a perfectionist?? I used to be and I used to have the worst problems with blocks not coming out right. Once I gave up on that, let my imperfections be my "style" things got better. I don't fuss so much. Okay, maybe I have to ease this seam because things don't match perfectly, or I might have to stretch the fabric just a tad....I'm okay with my seams not matching up just so! I hope I've helped just a little. :-)Pam in Vegas

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Yes and no. I want everything to look "right" but know that it isn't going to be perfect everytime. I to stretch a smidge when needed and do have a seam here and athere that don't match exactly and just leave it as is. That's what annoys me so.. I do it right, and even allow imperfections...and still can't get it even.

I just made some placemant yesterday (that started this) and today, I laid them out and they were all so crooked.. I just finished using the long ruler and laying them on top of each other, took the smallest one and cut them all down to that size. Sometimes up to an inch difference! How could that happen if I cut them all with the same template and sewed them all with the same 1/4 allowance?!?!?!?!??!

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Originally Posted by Divine Daisy

Don't fret! If people wanted perfection, they would prefer quilts made by a computor...........they dont, they love handmade. When I started, I named my mistakes with rude words...... somehow it took the bitterness out. Now I just go hmmmmmmmmmm............ na that will quilt out (and i make sure it does! ) and extra squiggle, applique....whatever and not even you can see it. I once made a quilt that was so badly lined up I put a button on each point...........people LOVED that quilt!!

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But this is literally the entire blocks crooked. I was working onplacemants and just literally had to lay them all together and cut them all to the same size...some had an inch off! Plus..the squares were all crooked...and I used the same template to cut them all!

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Originally Posted by Amarillo19

One thing that might help with the templates is to glue a couple pieces of rubber or sandpaper on the underside of the template. It's very easy to move them when cutting with a rotary cutter. I'm like you watching the videos of them speed sewing. I can't do that and make things turn out right even though I've been sewing for many years. I do pin at the points to make them match, also in a few places if I'm sewing a long seam. Using a 1/4" foot helps a lot too. As everyone said, practice and time will help your skill. When all else fails, walk away and come back to it the next day. Not meaning to sound like a religious nut, but if it's not going well I say a prayer for help.
Good luck. Ann

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I pin too and I have the little grip dots on the corners of the templates. I was cutting 3,1/2 inch squares and they didn't match up once sewn together.

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Originally Posted by lilmouse

when I first started quilting, nothing and I mean nothing lined up....my blocks, my seams, etc....just learned this year I was using the wrong rotary cutter (for me that is). Now my cuts are better and I am no longer shaving my rulers....yes, shaving my rulers...anyway I kept plugging at it and improved over time...learned how to fudge this and that and never had a reciepient (sp) ever complain about a guilt or placemat that I gave them! Your work is beautiful and remember only God is perfect

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What kind of cutter did you have and what did you replace it with? I hadn't heard that before. I want to look into that. I have a Fiskars..the blue handle style. Nothing special about it. I dont mind some imperfection, but these placemats are not even that good!

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Originally Posted by auntiemern

I have yet to make anything where everything lines up as it is supposed to. My motto is: If it isn't going to be judged in a show, or hung in a museum, the little mistakes just make it that much more 'home made'. We all strive for perfection,but few ever attain it. Take a chill pill, walk away from it, and tell yourself, nothing in life is perfect, so why should I worry about a few place mats. I am sure they will look wonderful when they are finished.

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I'm all about this to. I am not a perfectionist. But these placemats I made yesterday- they literally were so wonky, this morning I layed them all together and smallest on top and just lined up the ruler with the measurements on the healing matte and cut them..some had an inch come off, and none of them had the inside squares matching! I can live with that as they are placemats and never "together" like a quilt would be, but to have measured them so intently and then have them be so wonkky...I can't figure what's wrong with this picture! I'll post a pic

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Originally Posted by Claire Hallman

Have you checked the tension on your machine? If things are ending up too small it could be take up on your sewing machine being the culprit, not your cutting.
The shape cut ruler is a real help when cutting, it has helped me enormously. I also have started sewing a thread or two less than a 1/4 inch seam and my results have improved. Just keep plugging away, once everything is together, quilted and washed they are all beautiful.

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Best I figure the tension is fine. I always check it mainly cause I change threads so much. And I have noticed that it isn't much a problem on larger squares as it is on the smaller ones.

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Originally Posted by Silverlining

I am relatively new at quilting...a beginner actually. I know how you feel. I am taking a free class from "Craftsy", called the Block of the Month with Amy Gibson. This has really helped me. As far as cutting goes.... I really have struggled with it. BUT, I am getting much better. When it comes to templates; I trace around the template on the fabric, or trace around the paper to make sure that I am more accurate. I also may baste a seam first to make sure that my points and seams line up correctly. If not, basting is not hard to take out and try again. At the time we are ready to give up is the time when we are about to miss the miracle of learning a new skill. I have been a perfectionist for most of my life and learning to quilt is teaching me that not being perfect at absolutely everything is A OKAY. Whew! what a relief. You are a good quilter. We are all here with you.

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I know and I don't really give a rats at this point on these..they are just placemats and setting apart on the table I am sure they will look just fine. But if I were to do a quilt with all these little squares..there is no way they'd match up and I'd be in the nut house half way through it! I did a lap quilt with charm pack and it all sewed together just fine. I have been quilting/sewing for 40 years..I was hoping on to learn a new technique and use the small squares and tris to make designs instead of just large blocks.

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Originally Posted by CrazyMtnLady

Hang in there. I just take a deep breath and try again. I am not a perfectionist and that does help. As long as it's close I don't worry to much.

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I'm kind of like that to.. and these are placemats so they arent close together, but there is no way this would work if I were doing a quilt.

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Originally Posted by quiltingtrish

Good morning Cheri! Please don't give up. Is there someone you can get together with to perhaps watch what you are doing? Sometimes, it's the littlest thing that we don't see ourselves. I know it can be frustrating after we've spent all our time being so careful and then not have

Hugs,

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Thanks for the thought. No, I don't know anyone else that quilts and there are no classes in quilting at the craft store (yet). I was having a problem where the squares were to small...so I lined the ruler/template up and gave it just a smidge (1/8" or less) more and then cut and that worked great!, but now they are just to big!!! At first I was using cotton/poly blend fabric and found that the stretchy was my problem So now is nothing but 100% cotton. All these are that. But my problem is reverse...now I cut them exaxt to the template and they are to big!! These are placemats so they won't be close together so they will be okay, but there is no way I could do this with a quilt..it couldn't be fixed. I am trying to learn how to make the designs with the small squares - only 3,1/2 is smallest I will go. I see all those scrappy quilts an things with small squares...there is no way I could do that and make it so it'd be usable. I even stopped "ironing" and only "press"!!! I use spray starch before, during and after to make sure the fabric is stretching as little as humanly possible!

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Originally Posted by Quiltlover

I agree with the ladies who suggested that you make larger squares and then cut them to size so they are exactly the size you need. Also over time I notice that I am now sewing a scant 1/4 inch seam. Then, if I need to take in a bit more I'm not ripping out seams. These scant seams allow just a tad more fabric to work with. I definitely am not a perfectionist. My favorite quilts are the vintage ones with grandmas make do scraps from everyone's clothes. That odd print that she had to add to have enough. I have a couple of those that I found at flea markets and my dream goal is to be able to make something as interesting as those.
Brenda

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I get the point, but how do you know when to add or take away from the standard 1/4 seam allowance? These were 3,1/2 by 22" strips - yellow and green. I sewed them togethe ron the long side, then cut them into 3,1/2 x6,1/2 sections, then sewed two of them together with alternating colors to make a 4-patch. As doing them they all looked fine. But then sewing them together with a 6,1/2"c3,1/2 print inbetween the patches..now it's all wonky.

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Originally Posted by Bubby

I strive for excellence...not perfection! If you expect perfection from yourself you will never stop beating yourself up. I would recommend you lay your sewing aside for at lest one day and don't worry about it. I think all the suggestions you received here are very good. You need to be kinder to yourself....quilting is a skill we learn from practice and more practice. Your work in your album is very good....Hugs, Barb

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The bigger stuff I seem to do okay with, but the smaller stuff...kills me! I was hoping to learn to do the smaller stuff...like the 9 patch and HST etc. I don't go smaller than 3,1/2" but want to do all those cool designs and all. I see in the blogs so many ladies have scraps that they do this with and everything looks like it goes to gether fine...seams match and everything.

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Originally Posted by ttucsok

I just started quilting and so far I've made a table runner, a baby quilt and I'm working on my first quilt "of size", it's almost a queen size. If I was following ure enough I'm getting better. Sometimes I think I'm getting worse but it's really a learning process. Please don't get discouraged. Try not to focus on perfection and just call all this early work 'practice'. Soon you will be looking back and it will all have paid off.

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I am like that to.. I can't folllow a pattern to well. I make it up as I go along. I design a center block and then start adding outward. I do okay with larger blocks. But these smaller ones are killing me! All I was basically doing was a 4,4-patch blocks with a sash between them. I want to be able to do all the designs with the blocks and tris and flying geese etc. I know there are alot of "mistakes" i my quilts and I do pretty good a covering htem up and chalk it up to experience and try to remember not to do that next time. But this was terrible. I just stacked the placemats up this morning and cut them all to same size...and some have 2 inch squares on top row, other have 3". I cut anywhere from 1/4 inch to 1 inch off the edges!

It sounds like you are sewing ith inaccurate seam allowances. If you are using templates or are measuring correctly before you cut, its not the cutting that's the issue, its the seams or the pressing.

Do this test: Cut 3 strips of fabric, 2 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches. Sew them together on the long sides using the seam allowance and set up you are using now. Press the seams to one side and then measure. You should have a square of fabric that now measures 6 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches square. If you do not, something is wrong. If it is slightly smaller, its probably your pressing, repress and measure again. If it is smaller than just a few threads, if you can, move the needle to the right 1 click. If you can not move your needle, you can do a couple of things. Measure from your needle out 1/4 inch and put a stack of postie notes to mark the edge (postie notes, masking tape, mole skin.. they all work) re sew using that as a guide. If you can get a presser foot with a fence, that is a good thing as well, but you need to measure where your needle is in relationship to the fence on the foot.

How ever you manage to achieve that quarter inch is your preference. Sew as many tests as it takes and then WRITE IT DOWN! After you get all that done, then move the needle one click to the right and that will be your scant quarter inch for a perfect seam.

I have taught this method to a lot of students and it works every time.

One thing that I also found is that not all machines are created equal when it comes to the feed dogs. most will pull the fabric straight, but some Viking machines will pull the fabric to the left, don't know why, but I have seen it happen on more than one and they were totally different Viking models. Hope this helps and don't give up!


Side note: I see your additional posts about being wankie.. Me thinks it is your pressing! If you are using UN-washed fabric and then using steam on the seams to press them open.. that is a big issue. Fabric shrinks unevenly and will cause a wankie seam if you use steam or starch on unwashed fabric. Lots of quilters wash their fabric before sewing, I don't, but I also don't use steam or spray starch.. that's your preference. Do this test: Cut a 6 inch UN-washed square using an Omni grid 6 inch square ruler, press it with steam, measure it... you will see shrinkage and that may be your problem right there.

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Originally Posted by Fabriclovr

It sounds like you are sewing ith inaccurate seam allowances. If you are using templates or are measuring correctly before you cut, its not the cutting that's the issue, its the seams or the pressing.

Do this test: Cut 3 strips of fabric, 2 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches. Sew them together on the long sides using the seam allowance and set up you are using now. Press the seams to one side and then measure. You should have a square of fabric that now measures 6 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches square. If you do not, something is wrong. If it is slightly smaller, its probably your pressing, repress and .

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Thanks so much. I do pre wash all fabric and I don't use the steam on my iron..it doesn't work anyway! But I had heard that the steam can shrink a tad bit more.I tried this time to press the seams open instead of to the side...thinking that the pressing might be the problem, even tho before I would press to set, then pull open to press seam open but allowance to the side. I have done the needle test...I use a seam guide and butted it right to the pressure foot (all purpose one) and then sewed a straight line. I then, measured it from the raw edge to the line and from there would move needle to equal 1/4" inch. I have to set my needle at 6.1 for it to be 1/4" and with the seam guide, I get 1/4" allowances all but exact...I have written that on a piece of masking tape and taped it to the machine right in the area where the needle is threaded (so it kind of flags out for better notice!) so there is no way I can miss not seeing it to remind me...but so far, I have gotten pretty good at remembering it and doing it right off, but that tape stays there! I guess I'll just keep pluggin' along...the placemat are done, but they are so crooked, but I guess for every day use..I'll keep them. Having a yard sale at the end of the month..maybe I"ll put them in there and use what I sell them for to buy new fabric and try again!

I betcha it's something super simple, like ironing. One of Jenny's tuts talked about sewing in different directions when sewing strips so your strips don't "bow". Tried that?

Only thing I have seen/read is to PRESS not IRON the seams when you set them. So I started pressing..but it doesn't seem to make to much a diff if I am using 100% cotton.Before I was using 50/50 cotton/poly. And I have noticed...this doesn't happed with larger squares...just the 4" and smaller..which is what I am trying to learn the technique to use! I want to learn how to make all the amazing designs by sewing small squares and tris together to make the design.

Sorry bout your troubles-we must be long lost twins when it comes to cutting fabric! My strips always end up bowed!