So somebody posted this great link to tube style quilting at the Missouri Star company. I think it's awesome and bookmarked the link. The gal said something in it I sure didn't understand.

She said when using just a couple strips it wouldn't happen, but when strip piecing a lot of long strips, and you sew all in one direction, it creates a bow.

I have no idea what this means. Can someone explain? How can you strip piece in different directions?

Sew two strips of fabric together. Sew the third strip on starting from the end you just finished with.

It is said that sewing multiple strips in one direction will bow the fabric.

I guess the easiest way to explain it is that your fabric will start to get wavy....

When you go to add that 3rd strip turn your work around and sew the 3rd strip from where you ended the first 2. Alternate this way whenever doing more than 2 strips. Has something to do with the stretch of the fabrics.:)

Oops, we were all typing at the same time.:)

I think after cutting the thread, pressing, going downstairs to get coffee, answering the phone, picking up scraps off the floor . . . . . I will SURELY forget which direction I was sewing when sewing a whole bunch of strips.

Does anyone have an easy method for remembering which direction you sewed each strip?

Should I just use a perm. marker to mark an arrow in the seam allowance at the start of each strip? Or maybe there's an even easier solution . . . . please post any ideas.

Thanks!

I use a pin.

When I sew like that I take the 1st strip and sew a straight stitch across the corner on the outside. Then I always alternate sewing the strips on. No problems then. You can always pulll that stitch out when you are done.

That's what I was going to say too! Just stick a pin in the next to the seam you last sewed and know that you must start sewing the next strip on right next to the pin. Don't forget to let the dog back in. ;)

Fons and Porter sell arrow pins and I've found them for cheap at Tues Am, but still cheaper is the yellow flat flower pins, take a magic marker and draw an arrow on them...or leave your strip set in the machine at the end of the seam you just sewed. Then when you come back, you will always know you need to start that new seam at the end that is under the foot.

BTW, I think it does make a difference. Before I knew to do this I made some really bowed sets!

It is really important when sewing Alot of strips together. I once sewed 30 strips togther with out changing direction... oh what a mess, it curved soooo badly.... !