I had a lot of trouble when I first started using the accuquilt - my squares were coming out 1/8" short, and strips were wonky. I finally took a private lesson and learned I was placing the fabric incorrectly on the die. When cutting squares, make sure the lengthwise grain is to the outside of die, not to top of die. For strips the videos show that you can take your fabric as it was cut by putting the creased edge at the top of die (cuts on crosswise of grain) and this is how I got the wonky strips. I now cut all my strips on lengthwise grain and they are perfect. I often times will put a piece of writing paper on top of fabric - somehow that helps to keep the fabric from shifting.