Sewing long edges
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Rapid City, SD
Posts: 4,961
Sewing long edges
I'm working on a quilt for my grandson and want the last border to be mitered. I'm sewing strips together, 1 1/2 inch, 2 1/2 inch, 1 1/2 inch, 2 1/2 inch, 1 1/2 inch, 3 1/2 inch. I want the corners to be mitered.
I did fine sewing the 3 1/2 inch, 1 1/2 inch, 2 1/2 inch. The strips stayed straight when pressed. When I sewed the next 1 1/2 inch strip on the whole piece bowed. I used my walking foot so the bottom moved at the same time. I did sew them all the same direction. When I take the last two pieces off and sew one of them back on I can keep the strip straight.
Did the piece curve because of the difference in width of the strips? Do I need to cut the strips the same length before piecing? Any suggestions how to solve this problem?
I did fine sewing the 3 1/2 inch, 1 1/2 inch, 2 1/2 inch. The strips stayed straight when pressed. When I sewed the next 1 1/2 inch strip on the whole piece bowed. I used my walking foot so the bottom moved at the same time. I did sew them all the same direction. When I take the last two pieces off and sew one of them back on I can keep the strip straight.
Did the piece curve because of the difference in width of the strips? Do I need to cut the strips the same length before piecing? Any suggestions how to solve this problem?
#5
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
I always sew multiple long strips in alternating directions, and I always pin them first, way closer than every 12 inches. I don't think this is OCD, just good sewing practice. There's a lot of drag on long strips which can make them ripple. if you can cut the long strips the length of the fabric, parallel to the selvedge, there's less stretch.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 678
I'm working on a quilt for my grandson and want the last border to be mitered. I'm sewing strips together, 1 1/2 inch, 2 1/2 inch, 1 1/2 inch, 2 1/2 inch, 1 1/2 inch, 3 1/2 inch. I want the corners to be mitered.
I did fine sewing the 3 1/2 inch, 1 1/2 inch, 2 1/2 inch. The strips stayed straight when pressed. When I sewed the next 1 1/2 inch strip on the whole piece bowed. I used my walking foot so the bottom moved at the same time. I did sew them all the same direction. When I take the last two pieces off and sew one of them back on I can keep the strip straight.
Did the piece curve because of the difference in width of the strips? Do I need to cut the strips the same length before piecing? Any suggestions how to solve this problem?
I did fine sewing the 3 1/2 inch, 1 1/2 inch, 2 1/2 inch. The strips stayed straight when pressed. When I sewed the next 1 1/2 inch strip on the whole piece bowed. I used my walking foot so the bottom moved at the same time. I did sew them all the same direction. When I take the last two pieces off and sew one of them back on I can keep the strip straight.
Did the piece curve because of the difference in width of the strips? Do I need to cut the strips the same length before piecing? Any suggestions how to solve this problem?
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Carroll, Iowa
Posts: 3,477
I was told to sew from different ends each time you add a strip. Think I heard on Fons & Porter not too long ago. This will keep it from bowing. I was working on a bargello putting all those strips together before slicing them and this is what I did. They didn't seem to bow plus I had starched them heavily beforehand too to help with any stretching during the process.
#10
Power Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,127
I usually sew them in sets of two and then together and pressing ONLY when the sewing is completed. It works very well when I piece Bargello strips. It may seem odd to others but it works for me.
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