Why are my 1 inch strips bowing after being sewn? They are smiling at me.
 

I am sewing a large number of 10 inch long by 1 inch wide 2 and 3 strip sets. The background strip is a regular cotton and the other strips are Hoffman batiks. When I sew 2 strips together, they come out of the sewing machine slightly bowed. The center spot is bowed down (so it looks like a smile when placed on the cutting board the same side up and was sewn) by 1/8 of an inch. I am wonder if there is something I should be doing or changing that would prevent that.

I am using a new sharp 70/10 needle that was recommended to me for use with my batiks.

I am using Connecting Threads thread which is 50 weight.

Is there something that will stop this from happening or do you just need to correct it by straightening out the piece gently when you set it to press?

Can you post some photos? That may help show what you are talking about.

I've had problems with bowing when I sew several strips together until I learned to sew from alternating sides/ends of the strip sets. But since you are only sewing 2 strips, that shouldn't be the problem.

Sounds wired but did you lay a strip out to see if it's cut perfectly straight. I usually lay a strip down on the counting mat and make sure it's all straight....were human it happens!! Ask me how I know!

If your ruler has been used a lot - it may also have a curve in it -

Is your seam allowance the same width for the length of the whole strip?

It could be one of two things and it always drives me nuts. If the balance of the tension is off, then over the course of several inches there is less bobbin thread being used than top thread, so the straight line of your edges becomes curved. What I usually do is to lay the strip on my table and then run my fingernail along the seam to pull more bobbin thread through the length of the seam; it seems to help. Also, if your strips are not cut exactly on the straight of grain it can result in the bowing. You're not alone.

Are you careful not to stretch the top strip as you sew them together. It is very easy to stretch the top strip as you are trying to keep them straight.
Sue

Can I just correct this by gently curving them back into a straight line before pressing? I have tried increasing and decreasing tension and they still came out the same. I tried feeding them batik on top for some and the other fabric on top for the others and they all stilled bowed slightly the same. All my strips are within a hair of 1 inch and do lay out straight on the cutting matt before sewing.

You might be able to press them straight. Make sure you're not pulling the strip as you're sewing - I've done that. If you have a walking foot, you might try that to see if it helps prevent the bowing.

Also, if you're sewing more than 2 strips together, alternate the ends where you start. In other words, when you sew strip A to strip B, start at the north end, then when you sew strip C, start at the south end.

I would add:
- is your material not on the straight of grain, but biased a bit?
- are you using a seam guide or a flanged foot?
- are you using any starch or Best Press sort of thing, which helps prevent this.

I love my Pfaff because of the IDT -integrated dual technology. It is like have 2 sets of feed dogs, top and bottom, so I don't stretch my fabric when I sew.

ali

I find that batiks have such a tighter weave than your standard cotton that perhaps having one "stretchier" than the other is causing a problem. Not usually when you are sewing simple squares together, but long strips maybe....
Although I like the look of batiks, I find working with it to be unforgiving because there is no give.

Carole

Are you sewing the whole length of the fabric, 40" or did you cut them in half and sew 20". That is one important thing that Mary Sue Collins talks about in sewing small strips of fabric. Also, if there is still a problem at 20" decrease the length one more time. Less chance of the above comments to occur. I have done several of these strips, I love bargellos, and this can happen with larger pieces as well because something just was not cut correct to begin with. Another thought might be the top pressure coming down on the presser foot to the fabric, you may want to either increase the pressure or decrease. Did you starch your fabric before cutting? This would eliminate any stretching that might be happening. If you ahve cut them, then go ahead and give them a starching and ONLY PRESS!!!!! no ironing. That should allow some stability in your fabric and will match up with that batik you are working with. let us know how it goes again.

I used to have this problem a lot (and I was sewing a LOT of 1" strips) and then I got a different machine that has a built in walking foot. I started using the walking foot (with the 1/4" guide) to piece and I will never piece without it again!!

I suspect that your fabric is not feeding evenly, not by a lot, but enough to create the bow. Since I started using the walking foot I haven't seen a bow.

Yes, you can finger press it to get the bow out, then press the seam flat (before you open it). When you are ready to press the seam open be very careful to make sure you keep it straight. I know your supposed to iron open seams from the middle and work your way out ... but when I have a bowed seam it's easier for me to finger crease the seam open, hold one end of the fabric with my left hand (hold it flat against the board), and press open starting at the right side and "walking" the iron toward my left hand. You have to make sure that you don't twist or pull the fabric and take it off the straight line while ironing.

If you don't have a walking foot ... try pinning the strips. And when you pin put one pin in perpendicular to the seam and the next pin horizontal to the seam line (but out far enough so it doesn't interfere with your foot). I learned this trick from Sally Collins, but after using my walking foot I rarely pin anymore.

I agree with the walking foot suggestion, though I would pin even when using it, especially because you are sewing a batik to a regular cotton and the thread count is very different from one to the other. My guess is that they are not feeding evenly for that reason.

Did you try starching your fabric before cutting the strips? I starch mine till it's almost cardboard stiffing and the cuts are perfect; also, the starch prevents the fabric from stretching when sewing strips together.

Machines that do not have dual feed - the bottom layer next to the feed dogs frequently feed in that layer a bit faster/more - that's why 'in the olden days' the layer that was to be eased was on the bottom.

1" strips bowing
 

I have found when cutting strips WOF that I sometimes have to stop and measure to see that I'm cutting straight from the fabric and even it up before I start again. It seems along the fold it will get off a bit.

Strips cut from length of fabric stretch less. DH and I have started cutting 20" of fabric or whatever works for the pattern you are using and cutting our strips from the lengthwise grain of the fabric instead of the width of fabric

don't forget - when pinning on batiks, the hole of the pin might remain. i would suggest pinning on or within the seam allowance.

it's also important to switch directions when sewing strips. If you sewed the first to strips down one direction then on the next strip sew up direction.

I agree with Silver Needle and try to always cut strips the length of the fabric and even then, I take steps to cut on the straight of the grain. Just because it's laying straight on the cutting board, doesn't mean that the threads are lined up straight. I have had smiley strips particularly when I cut a fold and the threads weren't straight even if the edges of the fabric were.

Check your strips before you sew. Unfold them and see if there is a bow near the fold. If there is you are not cutting straight of grain. I tear (yes, tear!) my ends first and get straight of grain. Starching is very very helpful when sewing. Don't sew too fast.

[QUOTE=AngelinaMaria;5497701]I am sewing a large number of 10 inch long by 1 inch wide 2 and 3 strip sets. The background strip is a regular cotton and the other strips are Hoffman batiks. When I sew 2 strips together, they come out of the sewing machine slightly bowed. The center spot is bowed down (so it looks like a smile when placed on the cutting board the same side up and was sewn) by 1/8 of an inch. I am wonder if there is something I should be doing or changing that would prevent that.





Do not sew from the same side every time. Switch sides it will fix it right up - if your strips are all even. I have found some of my earlier strips were not cut as well as I do now.
Judi

they will bow if they are all sewn from the same end when you add a new strip...reverse the edge you sew on and you will notice the difference. try it

When you press the strips, let them cool before picking them up from the ironing board. If the strips are held up, they will bow.

Maybe setting your seams before you press would help. Once I started doing this I have had better results.

I've found that what makes a fabric "bow" is not so much the cutting or sewing, as the pressing. I drew a straight line on my cutting board so when I press strip sets, I can be sure the seam stays perfectly straight. Also, I have found that if it is possible to do with the pattern you are working with, I piece just half the width of fabric strips, not the full width. They seem to be easier to handle and don't stretch as much. Easier to keep pressed straight, too. Sometimes this is not possible because of your pattern, or because you don't have enough fabric, but if you can do it this way, it's worth a try!

try sewing each strip in a different direction

I was taught that when sewing strips you need to fold them in the middle and pin from the middle out and sew alternating from one side to the other. You may need to rip it out and redo it.

According to Jenny Doan, this will happen if you sew from the same end all the time. Try alternating ends when you sew and see if that makes a difference.

I have learned over the years, when working with anything over 6 inches long...pin pin pin....that keeps everything from stretching

I have found that when sewing several strips together I sew the strips from opposite directions that helps to keep them from bowing. Example: sew tne first two strips together than add the third from the opposite end that you sewed the first two strips, etc. Hope that makes sense.

As stated above it is the weave in the fabric - I have never been able to fix a bad bow :)

You probably cut your 1 inch strips WOF (Width of fabric) instead of on the straight grain. All strips should be cut on the straight grain to avoid this "bowing"

I agree with brenwalt on cutting the strips from the length of fabric. Be careful not to stretch as you are sewing, let the feed dogs do their work. Pressing should be able to help if there is only minor bowing.

I just finished a barjello quiilt and to stop bowing I sewed each strip one from the top the next from the bottom it takes longer but it works the other thing you want to let your feed dogs pull the fabric through do not pull or push it

I really appreciate all the responses. This is a very frustrating situation as I am sure there is an answer I just can't find it. I think most likely it is the answer about using batiks with regular weave fabrics. This is my first time using batiks.

I forgot to mention in my original post that I did indeed cut these strips LOF and I carefully worked on getting straight of grain first.

I am working with strips that are only 10 inches long (by one inch wide) so they are farily short. I am only making strip sets with 2 and 3 strips for 4 patches and 9 patches so it is not like sewing a 40inch long strip together with 10 other strips (like a bargello or other type quilt). The bowing is happening as a result of the sewing. I know this because they go into the sewing machine straight and then come out slightly bowed. I have played around with the tension but have not tried to vary the pressure on the presser foot. I will try that today. I will also try to use the walking foot and see but the walking foot on this machine (it is a Babylock Espire) doesn't work very good. PLus, I don't think I can use an "off center" stitch width with the walking foot and that is the only way to get a good scant quarter inch seam.

What presser foot are you using. If it is not an even-feed or walking foot that may be your problem. A regular foot will send the two fabrics under the needle at a differing rate. One is pushed and one is pulled. On short seams this is not a problem, on long seams it is. If you don't have a walking foot, try this trick when sewing the seam, hold the two fabrics together in you left hand up a little and somewhat taut. This is a trick used by seamstresses in clothing factories. Another is to sew the strips alternating top to bottom, bottom to top, that way the distortion cancels each other out.

To, maybe, narrow down the problem, can you take some of your strips to another machine or to a LQS and try the seams there? If they are O.K. you'll know it's your machine. If they still curve, ask someone else to try. If they STILL curve, try using identical fabric for both pieces........ Well, I hope you get the picture. It does sound like a feed problem. On my first machine I had to keep a little pressure on the bottom fabric to keep even.

Try holding the top strip up, just above the surface of the bottom strip...matching the cut edge. I do this when stitching curves, but lately, I've started doing it all the time..it seems to help some. Also, I agree that once you sew the one pair of pieces, when you are ready to add another strip...reverse and start sewing on the edge you ended sewing on. If you do like I do, and sew a pair together, set it aside, sew another pair...then make sure to put a pin in the ending edge...so you know that when you join two pair together...you want to have the pin from both be your start end. This in effect gives you the alternating stitching direction.
Lastly...remember to Press every seam... I use a spray bottle or can of sizing/starch...and "set" the seam..then open out, one seam at a time and press them to one side...all in the same direction.

Try sewing every other other strip in the opposite direction if your strips are stright. Hope this may help.