Buckeye Rose

Did you alternate the direction of stitching when you sewed the strips together?

Tartan

That can happen if you don't reverse the direction you sew strips together every other row. Your lanterns look great though!
You will also need to measure your pieced strips and cut the sashing that measurement before sewing. Every seam line will stretch a little if the total length of both strips are not pinned at every seam. This helps to keep the seam lines from stretching while sewing it to the sashing.

Zyngawf

It's suppose to be Japanese lanterns. And it's suppose to be straight. I'm not going to like taking this apart. I think starting this thread is a way to get used to the idea.

Zyngawf

No. I know now I did a real no no. I thought I could add to something and just square it off as I go instead of measuring pieces. As a result one side is a whole lot longer than the other.

Zyngawf

No I've never done that.

calla

Well I like the lanterns............

Onebyone

Wet it and pin in place for it to dry straight. Let it dry and it will be straight.

patricej

keep going.
when it's wide enough, applique the sides of it to straight borders wide enough to accommodate the curves.
nobody needs to know the curves weren't intentional.
we sure won't tell. LOL

seriously ... i think it would look nifty if you did that.

ShelleyCS

Did you sew the strips in opposite directions? (One up and one down). Others can correct me, but I think you'll get less curve that way (that's how I do strips anyway).

nana pat

I thought it looked like a rush hour freeway. Cool.