MadQuilter

Make sure you spray and press the fabric Before cutting the strips. Precuts are best handled with care.

Is your mat still in good condition? Sometimes when the mat gets grooves, it distorts the fabric cut.
Is your ruler still nice and flat? Sometimes they get dinged and nicked and don't product straight cuts.

Have you noticed how your machine moves the fabric under the foot? Sometimes (depending on the machine) the foot doesn't line up well with the feed dogs (particularly the 1/4 inch foot) and it allows the fabric to get pulled to one side or the other. If your machine allows to move the needle, maybe you could try the regular foot for best feed dog contact and move the needle until you get the 1/4" measurement.

Don't cry. It all works out in the end.