Help - I have a curve
 

I am undertaking a pattern called Shadow Box, and once I got the rows attached and the sashing on each row.... They curve.

I want to make sure I have a chance of getting a square quilt before I sew these together..

The pics give you an idea of what I mean by a curve....
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[ATTACH=CONFIG]367048[/ATTACH]Ideas????

Been there done that but with a different pattern. I read in a Bargello book that reversing sides from which you sew your strips will eliminate the curves. As for your pickle, I would press the hack out of your finished pieces, pin them together, sew and then press some more. That is what I did. Maybe not the proper way to do it but it worked. Good luck. Also, I became very fond of spray starch. I over starch everything because it helps me manouver strips and reduce curves. Again probably not the proper way of doing it but I go with what works for me.

I think I would probably remove the curvy ones and recut more. Make sure you cut straight. Good luck.

Try spraying with starch and ironing again. Instead of putting your fabric across the ironing board horizontially (end to end) try putting it vertically (across the width? - small part of your board, the way you have them now. If I have long stips to iron I do it that way with much better results, seems like it takes a little longer (having to move it) but I also get less curve than if I lay it all out on the board and iron the length of the strip. Hope this helps you. BTW your quilt is beautiful.

In the pictures it looks like they might be a little wider at certain spots. If that is the case, carefully measure and mark the seam line to follow and see if this helps. Almost looks like the long strips were cut with a bit of a curve.

Love this quilt and made one and am thrilled with it. I tried to post the picture, but it didn't work.

I was very careful when cutting the strips... so that isn't the issue... But I didn't know about the density of the fabrics having such an effect on the whole...

The white on white is not as dense as the other fabrics. Should I pull that out altogether and replace it with another more dense fabric?? UGH! Dang it. This is a gift for my brother - so I will do the extra work...

But first I am going to try sewing the two strips with the white on the bottom..

Did you cut each piece the same length size......or just use one long piece a merrily sew along.....
I have found from past expierence that does work for me as I must cut each piece the exact size....
did you square your blocks...before adding the sashing....if you cut it the exact size, did you half then
and then quarter mark and then pin.....I am just trying to pull anything I can from my feble brain.....

Squared before putting in rows - Check...

I didn't cut the sashing to size, I just merrily sewed along... But - with stretch I can now see how that might have been a dumb thing to do..

Ah well, I am new at this - and have to learn things the hard way... :)

Hey I have been sewing/piecing/quilting for over 50+ years, and still learn something new everyday....
that is what is so wonderful about the board, just think of the hundreds and hundreds of years of expeirance that are here.....sharing with you their learning curves.......

At this point, as I see it you have two choices.....leave it as is sew it together, call it good and do better on the next one........

Or, take it apart, press your removed sashing carefully, and use some spray starch to stabilile it, recheck your width as it might have gotten a little distored during the removal.....measure a couple of your block sets and come up with a good average length. Then cut your sashing that length, fold it in half mark with pin, fold each half into half, mark with a pin....now it is marked into quarters. do the same with your piece of sashing, pin...pin to pin (this is what you would do to have even gathering like on a skirt) Now sew you pieces together, blocks on the bottom, narrow sashing on top. take your time, try to do your best and sew a good straight 1/4" seam.......It should be darn near perfect when done. :o

Measure each long edge and see how much difference there is - you could "ease in" if it is less than maybe an inch, but removing the long strip and cutting it to the length of the opposite side will fix the problem for sure.

Hi everyone... Thank you so much for replying to my post. I took all of your advice and came up with a plan that worked..

First I measured everything.. Not too far off, now to deal with the curve... 1 paired the rows, then marked the 1/2 and 1/4s on each row. Then I matched the half and quarters - and eased the rest in pinning, pinning, pinning. Finally, sewed with the white on white on the bottom so it helped in the easing.. Then - when I pressed the sewed together pairs, I starched....

I think it will work. Thank you soo much for your guidance.

If all the above suggestions don't help, check your tension--some of your edges look a little wavy to me. The thread could be drawing your fabric up. Just a thought...

I don't think it is a cutting problem.

When I have any sashing, I cut the sashing what the length should be according to what the block measures (or several blocks). Then pin at starting edge and ending edge and fit it in between as I sew. If its quite long, I also pin it evenly across the center section. That will pull up snug any curvy bits.

When sewing long strips it sometimes helps to sew one strip from the top then add the next strip to the bottom edge of that strip and sew in the opposite direction.

Fabric weight can made a difference. That's why most quilters prefer a nice weight cotton with good 'hand' to it so it sews up more evenly and doesn't ruffle. Thinner fabrics sew up differently and can curve.

I want to thank all of you for your guidance and advice. I learn so much from this board.

Here is the top all sewed together. I did sew the columns in different directions and spent a lot of time matching the ends, middle and quarters... I am liking it so far. :)

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Nice save Theresa - the top looks great! The same method for making sure these strips fit together well, is what keeps borders from 'waving'!

Thank you Linda... I was just worrying about adding the borders..

:)