Try pressing seams open. That seems to work for me. There is no extra bulk on one side that way. I also like the idea of putting a flannel strip down to help hold the fabric straight.

Strip stick is the way I go. It somehow makes it easier and my strips don't bow.

A really effective way to control "bowing" of strip sets is in the sewing phase. Sew strip 1 to strip 2 going "top to bottom", Then, sew strip 2 to strip 3 going bottom to top. I made a Trip Around the World with 1 1/2" stops and this technique made it come out perfect!

Love this idea! Learn something new from this board every day.

Saw a Fons and Porter show this afternoon on our public tv channel. Was allabout pressing strip sets and they recommend that you cut them into shorter pieces instead of one long piece. Makes pressing and keeping them straight a whole lot easier. I am going to remember this trick myself on the next set of strip sets that i do.

Thanks, Scissor Queen. I am going to try this. I'm making the Amazing Jelly Roll be Three Dudes, using strips of many different sizes, and this would be a help.

For a strip stick, I went to the building supply and bought a piece of flooring joiner--not sure of the proper name. It is about 1.5 inches wide and sits about .5 inch high and 40 inches long. I bought it in the summer when I was making neck coolers and it fit perfectly for pressing them after turning. I didn't cover it with anything. I also like to cut my fabric on the fold and like to use shorter lengths and don't seem have the problems with pressing.

as usual lots of great info thanks all

I bought the "Steady Betty" ironing board. Nothing moves!!!! Nothing bows. No warps. Can do flying geese right now. Can do triangles. Everything is right with the world. Try it. It's amazing!!!!!