Preventing Bowing in Strip Sets

To help keep strip sets from bowing, sew a set of two fabric-width strips together along length placing strip 2 on top of strip 1 and sewing with strip 2 on top. Repeat with all strips to make 10 pairs, adding strip 21 to the last pair of strips. Always lay the evennumbered strip on top of the oddnumbered strip as you sew.

Join the pairs to make sets of four, again sewing with the evennumbered strip on the top—place pair 1/2 on top of pair 3/4 and sew with strip 2 on top of strip 3.

As you sew the pairs and then the sets of four, keep the strips even at one end. Do not pull the strips as you sew.

After all strips are joined to make a large pieced unit, place the strip set on a cutting mat with the seam side facing up.

Measure the width of the strip set from the straight side and cut in half, top to bottom, to yield two equal strip sets approximately 20" wide.

Press seams in one strip set toward fabric 1 and press seams in the other strip set away from fabric 1.

Note: When pressing, press first from the back and then on the front. Be careful not to press in any pleats.