Could be the bobbin tension or top tension or somehow, the thread is catching on something.

Also I agree that maybe some strips were cut on the stretchier grain.

Perhaps...did you cut your strips on the straight grain of the fabric or the bias? If on the bias, that could cause the puckering when sewn; starch may help.

V.

Even if cut on the straight grain, the width of the fabric is stretchy but the length of the fabric (parallel to the selvage) is sturdy and unstretchable.

I can't add anything to what others have said, but your block looks really nice. When the quilt is quilted, I doubt any of those puckers will be noticeable.

Another idea is to double check your seam allowances. If they are just under 1/4”, then the inner pieces are slightly longer than the ones you are adding.

Measure to make sure the piece you are adding is the same as the one to which you are adding it.

After a block is sewn together and it looks off, I'll measure each square that's in the block to make sure it's the 'finished' size it's supposed to be. The entire block might measure correctly, but squares might be a couple threads smaller or larger which makes a difference. When I find where the problem is, if I can, I just unsew enough to be able to either take it up or let it out and resew. Hope this helps.

Here’s the third block.

I measured every piece. I simply don’t know what is going on here.

In real life if dies not look as bad as this photo, but still?

I have one more block to try before I completely give up.

It’s fine. Once it’s quilted you won’t see it at all. My guess is your seams are one or two thread widths less than 1/4”. That means that the three pieces, when sewn together, are slightly longer than the new piece to which you are sewing them. Were it the opposite, the outer edge would look slightly ruffled.

You tend to see it when there are many small pieces. I am working on something with long rows of 1” squares and strips. They should be, say, 26”, instead they are 27”.

You will drive yourself nuts trying to get everything perfect. Iron it well, quilt it into submission and then wash the finished quilt to get an overall crinkly look. It will be lovely. Don't ask me how I know this to be true.

Caroline, your blocks are fine. Once in a finished top, the wrinkly will disappear. These are just fine and will look great with the other blocks submitted. BTW: this block is more of a challenge then other blocks in the lotto - it has many small pieces...great exercise ... ya done good!!!

Valarie

Here are my May and June blocks, I didn't take separate pics...made these months ago when Jennifer suggested these for the lotto