Not all 2-1/2" strips are exactly 2-1/2". Ballipops are hand cut inBali so there is some variations there.

Here's something I found that assures us 2-1/2" strips when sewn.

When sewing two strips together, rather than measuring 1/4" to the right of the needle position, I measure 2-1/4" to the left of the needle. A piece of blue painter's tape is placed along the left edge of the 2-1/4".

The fabric strips are positioned right sides together, paying close attention to keep the raw edges aligned at the left edge. As the strips are sewn together, care is taken to keep the left edges alligned with the tape strip. If there is any variation in strip width, it will fall within the seam allowance.

The sewn strip is pressed and the width measured. The seam allowance is narrow in some places and wider in others, but the finished width is consistently 4-1/2" wide. This method works to correct the strips used when 2 strips are sew together and then sub-cut.

When sewing two strips together using this manner, you will need to adjust the way you hold the strips and where you watch the trips as they are being fed through the sewing machine.

While it is not a cure-all, it does put your pieces will on the way to accuracy when the project begins with strip piecing.

It's so much easier than it sounds. Give it a try. Save on wasting strips.

Hope this helps everyone. Some patterns really rely on the strips being accurate or it throws off the whole block.

I read this originally in a book by Brenda Henning so please give her credit for this wonderful tute. Thank you.♥♥

Thank you so much for sharing this clever tip :D:D:D

Thanks...........this is brilliant!

This was my very first tute, if it is a tute. Not too picturesque but it can be a handy lesson. Thank you.

Good idea even when I cut them myself!

Good idea, Deb.:)

This is very important with the Bali strips. But gotta love the variety!

thanks for this. Bought some strips the other day (different manufacturer) and had the same problem. Set them aside because I didn't know how I was going to use them as strips without cutting them down. Will definitely try this method. :thumbup:

Hoffman Fabrics has chosen to create jobs and employ Balinese people. Without laser precision some cutting variations are bound to occur. But we love those ballipop colors. And the names of some....Pink Lemonade...Mago Margarita...Blue Hawaiian..Zinfendel...Green tea... and my favorite Cappucino...I'll never give up on my 2-1/2" strips. And good idea to even use this method with our own precut strips. LOL.

Hadn't thought of that one--but makes perfect sense even for those I cut myself.