HI. Be sure to set (press, not iron) your seams with steam before opening out your strip (that is, just like it comes out of your machine with right sides together) and then pressing the seam to one side. The first press helps your seam thread fibers set or lock into the fabric fibers. I've done some of this before, find this helps. I like to hang cut strips on a plastic hangar to help keep them from being handled too much. Not to mention keeping them out of cat-reach. Good luck with your project.