It's not hard to line up your fabric. Just pick a spot where there's a sharp point in the pattern, one that's easily identified, that's where you stick the pin thru on each layer. Also, don't wash your fabric, but do iron it to get out any wrinkles as well as the fold from being on the bolt. If you pin carefully, the fabric strips stay alligned. Follow the directions in the book "One Block Wonders" by Maxine Rosenthal, and you won't be disappointed.