I’m currently making a quilt that has long strips of fabric the width of the quilt. Each strip is about 100” long and 2.5” wide (yes, I’m officially crazy). Any tips on sewing long seems? I know there can be some issues ensuring that everything is even and that the strips don’t stretch but I have no idea how to combat this.

Kristy

If you are sewing more than a couple of extra long strips together you are supposed to sew one one way and the next the other way. Start at the "top" on the first two you sew together and start at the "bottom" when you add the third strip. This is to help prevent bowing.

Personally, I am a huge fan of starch to help things hold their shape. I like to sew fabric that has been starched into cardboard. It helps me.

Make sure the pieces are the exact length that you need. Pin at both ends, in the middle, and continue until you are comfortable nothing will shift. For me, that's in the 6-9" range for long pieces. If you just sew strips together, then chop off the extra, you will have unevenness unless you are using a walking foot.

If you haven't cut the strips yet, I would starch the fabric heavily before cutting. Heavy starching does a great job of stabilizing fabric. I don't use spray starch, but instead mix a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water, place my fabric on the kitchen island, "paint" the starch on with a large wall painting brush, toss the saturated fabric in the dryer, and iron with steam when it comes out. If you do this, you could even cut the strips on the bias and sew them together without distortion!

Cutting on the lengthwise grain is better than the usual crossgrain cutting.

Using a walking foot helps, as does pinning and alternating the direction in which you piece the strips.

Thanks everyone. I'll try startching the strips before sewing and pinning like mad.

Pressing is another biggie!!! Make sure you press and not iron!!! Be gentle with the iron or you can distort your strips. I like to line them up straight so that it is easier to see that they are remaining straight and even :D:D:D

Lay quilt flat and measure length several (!) places from top to bottom on the quilt top. Write measurements down. Find the average length and cut 2 border pieces to this length. Divide both quilt and border pieces into 4ths. Pin quilt top and borders together at these points. Then pin between these points easing in quilt fabric if needed. You basically are sewing one 4th of the top and border at a time. Sew carefully and uses a walking foot if you have one. Don't be afraid to rip if needed! Press but do not iron. Ironing stretches the fabric. Now, do same for the width.