Do you use a cheater on the ends.. a little scrap that you sew through before going on to the piece you are sewing? I use a walking foot for piecing and have a lot of little cheaters around, I use them at the beginning and end - it saves on thread too. There are times when I will use a 1/4 inch foot but the walking foot gives a bit more control I think. I am using a Husqvarna Sapphire.