Trouble sewing on the bias
 

I am a brand new quilter working on my very first quilt and I need some advice. I've scoured the board (and internet) but I can't seem to find an answer, which makes me think I'm missing something really really basic. (Although I've learned loads from reading the posts on this board!).

The part I am having trouble with is sewing two little squares on the diagonal into the corners of a large rectangle ( flying geese effect when done). When done the fabric doesn't lie flat - I can press out the puckering but there remains a very slight 'buckle' in the fabric of the large rectangle (like I have stretched the fabric). Am I missing a trick - or is this just the way it works ? I have used the same stitch length and tension that worked well for joining squares together for another part of the quilt.

All suggestions gratefully welcome.

Are you sewing on the little squares and then trimming the square and rectangle underneath to get the effect of flying geese?

It's not because you're new that the bias edge is giving you trouble. The bias is tricky for experienced sewers too. When ever possible I sew the bias edge of triangles from two squares put together. This won't work for your situation because you are trying to sew them into an existing pattern. Just sewing them in has probably stretched them. You may need to start with new fabric. If you are doing flying geese, I use the pattern where you start with a rectangle and place a square at one end. You sew the diagonal and then trim the extra fabric at the 1/4 inch seam and repeat on the second side.

Yes. Although the pattern recommends only trimming the unneeded portion of the little square and keeping the whole rectangle underneath for stability. The trimming doesn't seem to help nor make worse the fabric buckle in the middle of the big triangle.

Starching the fabric can help some. It seems to keep the fabric more rigid and not as "stretchable." Also, sew more slowly. I notice when I rush, things really get all wonky and I have to start over.

that last two posts are helpful. Handle the fabric lightly, don't force or try to make things fit.

I agree that starching the fabric and going slowly help. Although spray starching already-cut pieces helps, what helps even more is heavily starching the fabric before you ever cut it into pieces. When I am concerned about bias, I use a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water on the yardage, "painting" the solution on until the fabric is saturated, tossing in dryer, then ironing with steam. This makes the fabric very stable, even on the bias.

I never use starch, but pinning prevents stretching, puckering, and shifting...especially when sewing on bias edges and curves.

a whole lotta starch. my pieces don't even bend. (much)

Thanks for the suggestions! Tomorrow I am going to get some starch and see if that works for me.