Elise1

Sometimes steam in your iron can stretch the fabric. I don't use steam once the pieces are cut.

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

Starch your fabric until it is about like a manila folder. You can't stretch it then. Starch makes just about everything better.

Dolphyngyrl

starch, and accurate cutting really make the difference

Prism99

Starch helps a *lot*. Starching before cutting is best.

However, sometimes it's your machine. On some machines the presser foot pressure can be too strong; some machines have an adjustment for that.

jitkaau

Let the machine do the work. Allow the feed dogs to take the material under the foot and don't be tempted to pull it through from the other side. I never have this problem and I think it is because I don't play with the material too much. I don't iron or starch it before or during piecing and it all turns out OK. I think you can overwork a lot of stuff. All the best with your piecing.

carolynjo

I agree that using a walking foot helps to keep from stretching the fabric.

Jingle

When sewing, I lay my left hand to the seam I am sewing. Makes it much easier to not stretch.

redmadder

Here's my exercise when I teach grandkids. Long strips, place together, use only the very tip of the index fingers to guide under the foot. Stop and adjust if fabrics slide away. Its surprising how fast they learn to piece accurately.

twinkie

Using a lot of starch is the answer for me.

QandE2010

Starch, starch, and more starch. It's amazing what a difference starch makes.