I have never had that problem and I strip piece a lot.....are you sure you are cutting the strips on the lenght of grain? Do a few strips now, test the fabric to make sure you are on the side that doesn't have a stretch. After you cut one strip, test it to see if it stretches, it is easy to get the grains confused. Press your steam gently. I press with a lift and touch on the wrong side first to head them in the direction that I want and then when I am on the right side, I don't have to press too hard...try the lift and tough and press gently.....