Judy Smith

Can someone give me some advice. I started quilting late and am an advanced beginner, I guess. I still stretch my fabric when I piece. What can I do or is it just a matter of practice?

EasyPeezy

Use lots of starch and press your seams (lift your iron up and down) instead of ironing.
Hope this helps.

Mamaskeeto

Sew slowly and use pins. That might help.

crafterrn1

Okay here is the question I need to ask you Judy. Do you put your left hand behind the foot on the machine? If you do then stop. It will stretch the fabric. The other things to do: 1 Use a stiletto to guide the fabric through the foot. 2 gently guide the fabric through the foot. 3 Mark the sewing machine bed with a stack of small post-it notes. Measure 1/4 inch from the needle. Place the post-it notes at the 1/4 inch mark and secure with tape. Make sure to leave the bobbin lid accessible. 5. Slow down. The faster you go the more chance you have to stretch the fabric. yes pinning helps since you have to sew slowly to remove the pins. I hope this helps! Luann

Tartan

Your feed dogs are supposed to "feed" the fabric through the machine. You should be just guiding the fabric to keep it straight as it goes under the needle. If you have to pull or push your fabric through the machine, it is time to get your machine checked out.

MadQuilter

Since you know that you might be stretching, take time to check the blocks in increments. If the smaller segments are off, you can square them up and move on to the next segment. Plus, if you know where/how you stretch, you can work on improving. Hang in there, you'll get it.

AliKat

I now Best Press my fabric before I even cut it. That helps keep it crisp and firm. I do use a 1/4" flange guide foot when I do my piecing. I have a Pfaff with the IDT and that keeps the fabric evenly fed through the machine. As crafterrn1 wrote: do NOT hold the fabric at the back of the machine. You might want to use a spider/leader/a small extra piece of material, 2 ply, when you start sewing.

TexasSunshine

Very good tips.

Aria

You might also try a walking foot.

amelia0607

Walking foot has helped me tremendously!