sewing strips

[stitchywoman]

So I'm working on a project and sewing a lot of strips together for it... My problem is I was given the advice to sew the strips on in opposite directions (sew one from the left then one from the right and repeat) to avoid your strips progressively stretching to one side. Well instead of stretching to one side it's stretching both directions and kind of becoming rainbow shaped with lots of ends that don't meet up

I'm wondering if the best thing is to just keep going and try to iron it out, should I sew them together in batches (such as groups of 2 then put those into groups of 4 and so on so it's not a constant stretch on the same piece) or would it help to on both sides of the strip set ( add one to the top then one to the bottom etc.) or would that just rainbow both ends and I'd have double the problem! Just looking for some advice :roll:

Here's hoping for the best :|

[shell.scraps]

Re: sewing strips

I am by no means any type of expert....I'm learning as I go.

If you pin the entire raw edge, you should have minimal stretching. Make sure you are not stingy with the pinning - no matter how good you are at holding the seam while you truck along.

Alternate right/left for each run.

Do not pull your fabric through the feed dogs, let them do their job. The more you pull the more distortion you will get in your fabric.

Those are the top three things I could think of. Hope that helps a little!!

[stitchywoman]

Re: sewing strips

Thanks shell.scraps I made it through without too much rainbow showing up in the end :shock: I know you're all shocked right. Sarah's laughing at me I'm sure, but my, oh so, un-challenging quilting project stopped me up for a while... I ended up just sewing in batches and it came out just fine with only minor rainbow stress.

I did do the right/left thing and I tried not to pull, and that leaves me with the pins... that would probably have been very helpful. But I think there's something in my brain against pins but it didn't even cross my mind to pin across them. I've even seen that done in tutorials but always dismiss it as something I can skip. you make a lot of sense though :roll: I guess I've got to get over the pin thing huh It's not the quality of the seamstress in the number or lack of pins she uses, it's the finished product... sigh.

I'm a clothing seamstress originally and I think I've got a lot of preconceptions I'll have to get over Hey it may even help the way my clothing turns out

[shell.scraps]

Re: sewing strips

I'm a clothing seamstress originally and I think I've got a lot of preconceptions I'll have to get over Hey it may even help the way my clothing turns out

I totally understand. Clothing and quilting are sooooo not even close!! It's certainly something to get used to. Glad you made it through without disaster striking.

[sewhot]

Re: sewing strips

this is awesome! I am so glad you had some help Stitchy Woman!! You girls are so generous with your tips!! Thanks. I am sure it will come in handy for me as well! Shellscraps great advice! Thanks!

[monklesmom]

Re: sewing strips

I did one that stretched before I learned sew it one way then sew the other. But I have also now learned to sew in the groups. Do two together then four together if you just add one strip at a time the extra fabric on bottom always seems to pull your fabric unless you have a set in cabinet! and that helps it to arc and not sew straight. Also watch how much pressure is on your presser foot! but except for you and the person that quilts your quilt no one is going to know if it isn't completely flat!