Strip piecing?
#22
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When I strip piece, I use a foundation of muslin, overcut so I can trim to the desired block size when I'm finished. Has worked extremely well for me. Plus, when you have the blocks finished, they are already quilted & there is no need to use batting. I call these "sleeping porch quilts" because they are lighter in weight and great for summer, warmer climates, or just cat naps. They're especially great for donation quilts too. If I don't have muslin for the foundation, I have used that "ugly, what was I thinking" fabric for the foundation. Give it a try & let us know how it turns out. Have fun & enjoy the process!
#23
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mendocino Coast, CA
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I am also currently making a strip quilt...my 1st one. I thought it would be easy-peasy, just straight sewing lines, right? NO! The least bit of deviance shows up on those long rows, everything gets off kilter, etc. No bowing yet, thank goodness. Probably because I did alternate my starting points like everyone one here has suggested. I'm just going to let it go a little wonky and put a funky, old fashioned label on it, so it looks like all that weirdness was intentional.
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#24
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I have never had that problem and I strip piece a lot.....are you sure you are cutting the strips on the lenght of grain? Do a few strips now, test the fabric to make sure you are on the side that doesn't have a stretch. After you cut one strip, test it to see if it stretches, it is easy to get the grains confused. Press your steam gently. I press with a lift and touch on the wrong side first to head them in the direction that I want and then when I am on the right side, I don't have to press too hard...try the lift and tough and press gently.....
#25
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This is the solution I use, but the sewing of strips from alternate ends works well also. Another trick I have found is to lift the two strips up off the sewing bed just a bit as you send them through to the needle. It is something factory sewers use to keep "the creep" away. I just pinch the strips together with my fingers, sew up to the foot and then re adjust.
#29
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I agree with the others....play with both your stitch length and your tensions. I strip piece basically everything on a 70+ year old Singer and have never had problems. BTW---I don't bother to alternate which end I sew from. I never remember to, and that would require my keeping up a lot better with what goes where. As it is, I just lay it out, mark the left ends with numbered stickers and start sewing.
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08-05-2010 12:02 PM