When you press the fabric, spray with Magic Sizing. That helps me some. I also alternate which end I'm sewing from. But I still get some bowing :( I just live with it.

The suggestions will really help you. Also keep this in mind......

Jan in VA

Thats' what Iwas taught to... flip every other time.

since I've learned to alternate the edge where I start, I've had absolutely no problem with the bowing. I don't starch anything ever except for binding strips. And, I often do strip piecing. Make certain to keep a consistent seam.

I will often sew with half the length of the strip--20 inches, instead of the whole width. I don't seem to get the bowing so much then. It does depend on the pattern and if I need the whole length.

I always use my walking foot to sew strips. Never have a problem.

I agree with everyone about alternating sewing directions and adding a bit more length to stitches. Also may I suggest checking the thread weight?

When I was first starting out, I took on a Ricky Timms Harmonic Convergence pattern because I thought, "It's all straight lines, how hard can that be?"

Well, I sewed one strip to another and ended up with a terrible bowing. You'd think I would have noticed that even though I was starting with the pieces lined up together, I wasn't ending with them together -- one piece was a little shorter each time. (Actually, I did notice, but I disregarded it, because as I said, I was just starting out and I was a little careless that way).

Anyway, I ended up with a big piece of fabric with a gentle curve throughout. I was crushed. I ended up cutting it into a big fish shape, because that was the only shape I could fit into the weird shape I had. I thought I'd either make a big fish pillow or stitch it down onto a piece of fleece. In truth, I hid it away because it was such a disaster.

I saw it not too long ago...maybe I'll try to fix it. Nah. But don't feel bad about your bowing, just sew in alternate directions, like the others have said!

Yes I agree. Also STARCH STARCH STARCH. You might want to use liquid starch - medium, the bottle will tell you the ratio of water to starch. Damp dry, iron cut material and then sitch one strip together starting one way and then stich the next strip to the original two by starting at the opposite ends of the strip ie. where you finished stitching. Keep doing that and your strips should be straight. I did a Ricky Timms convergence quilt and it required very exacting matches and that is what I did and it worked beautifully.

If the stitches are too short, the extra thread in the seam might add to the problem.