I didn't starch mine but you have to match up every single seam. I made the mistake of mixing batiks with LQS printed fabric and el-cheapo fabric. Some fabrics were looser or stretchier than others. So you have to butt up your seams as you're sewing. Sometimes periodically pinning helps. But once you're off on one seam all the others are off unless you compensate. And I agree with Tashana, join 1/2 then 3/4 then 5/6 etc. I labeled EVERYTHING with painters tape. The tape didn't come off until the whole top was finished.