Scooter:
Here's a trick that work's for me. Press your fabric with the selvages exactly together. Then fold the fabric lengthwise, so that the fold is on top of the selvages. Hold the layers up by the top edges so that the fabric falls free. Adjust the top edges with your fingers until the fold lays exactly on the selvage edges. Don't pay attention to the raw edges, as you will be trimming these. Lay on your cutting surface and square up the edges. This should eliminate your elbows. Works for me!
Nitabug2