Help with Jelly Roll rug . . .
 

I've been inspired by the jelly roll rugs that have been posted here so I started my own this weekend. I'd been warned to be careful about cupping at the ends, but my ends are lovely and flat while the middle sides are really wavy. I've been steaming and pressing after every go-round, but the sides just lift up again. Has anyone else had this problem and how did you solve it?
[ATTACH=CONFIG]603492[/ATTACH]

Oh dear, your rug is so pretty sorry you are having this problem. I am sure someone here can help you!!!

My thought is that ( steaming and pressing) after each round— you are stretching your fabrics along the straight sides. Steaming and pressing should only be done on the finished rug.
About all you can do at this point is take it apart and start over from the point where it lies flat. Or,
fold/ minipulate it - turn it into a basket.

I think the steaming and pressing is the cause. I have never known anyone to do that when making these rugs.

I might be tempted to finish it off, and then put it into a hot water wash and dry until damp, and lay out on a flat surface, just smoothing it by hand, and see what it does? You really don't have anything to lose, because you could pick it apart after that if it still didn't lay flat, couldn't you?

It sounds like one row was sewn tight and then the wave was compounded. Redoing the sewing and watching YouTube videos with tips.

I haven't made one so I am no help. It is pretty and I am so sorry this happened.

I agree with Thimblebug, if the steaming has caused the waving, surely a good wash will pull it back into shape.

I think you have irregular shrinkage caused by some over manipulation. I think that would be easy to do. I wonder if you could flatten it out be getting it wet in hot water and then blocking it flat like you would a crocheted doily. I think it worth a try. I also think large T-pins would hold it to foam board covered by a towel.