Wonderful tips. I admit, I got lazy about pinning when I am just piecing a block. That's the first thing I will correct. And I agree about the feed dogs pulling the pieces sort of wonky. I've been using a foot with a 1/4 inch guide, but if the pinning doesn't help, I will switch to my walking foot.
And thank you for discussing stitch length. I will make that correction as well. I will make sure my needle is 80-12.
And you hit the nail on the head when you said I was over-pressing my blocks. I think I even scorched some of my white fabric. And I am a big "wiggler". lol You must have been looking over my shoulder!
I will shoot a picture of my next block done with these measurements.
Thanks!
Janan