Jan, thanks for the illustration and explanation. I didn't know that!! Love the way you share so everyone (even visual learners) can understand. Thanks. :thumbup: :thumbup:

When I strip piece, I use a foundation of muslin, overcut so I can trim to the desired block size when I'm finished. Has worked extremely well for me. Plus, when you have the blocks finished, they are already quilted & there is no need to use batting. I call these "sleeping porch quilts" because they are lighter in weight and great for summer, warmer climates, or just cat naps. They're especially great for donation quilts too. If I don't have muslin for the foundation, I have used that "ugly, what was I thinking" fabric for the foundation. Give it a try & let us know how it turns out. Have fun & enjoy the process!

I am also currently making a strip quilt...my 1st one. I thought it would be easy-peasy, just straight sewing lines, right? NO! The least bit of deviance shows up on those long rows, everything gets off kilter, etc. No bowing yet, thank goodness. Probably because I did alternate my starting points like everyone one here has suggested. I'm just going to let it go a little wonky and put a funky, old fashioned label on it, so it looks like all that weirdness was intentional. :)

I have never had that problem and I strip piece a lot.....are you sure you are cutting the strips on the lenght of grain? Do a few strips now, test the fabric to make sure you are on the side that doesn't have a stretch. After you cut one strip, test it to see if it stretches, it is easy to get the grains confused. Press your steam gently. I press with a lift and touch on the wrong side first to head them in the direction that I want and then when I am on the right side, I don't have to press too hard...try the lift and tough and press gently.....

This is the solution I use, but the sewing of strips from alternate ends works well also. Another trick I have found is to lift the two strips up off the sewing bed just a bit as you send them through to the needle. It is something factory sewers use to keep "the creep" away. I just pinch the strips together with my fingers, sew up to the foot and then re adjust.

You should switch sewing direction for each strip.

Alternate your strips. I agree with the other ladies.

I have always read how important pressing is. I read to press the seam the way it comes out of the machine, then press open. I hope this makes sense.
I agree on alternating the strips also.

I agree with the others....play with both your stitch length and your tensions. I strip piece basically everything on a 70+ year old Singer and have never had problems. BTW---I don't bother to alternate which end I sew from. I never remember to, and that would require my keeping up a lot better with what goes where. As it is, I just lay it out, mark the left ends with numbered stickers and start sewing.

Beginning your stitching at opposites of each row plus loosening your tension will help. That was one of the first things we learned in my last strip piecing class.