Thread: Help requested

Hello Quilt Board Members,
My name is Kim and I have started my third quilt. I need help! The first two did not have sashing or borders so this is a new learning experience. This full size quilt will be for my grandson's new big boy bed. It is composed of blocks that are made up of two small squares with a strip of material between them, which is then attached to a rectangle with another strip of material between them (all cut from crossgrain strips). Each finished block is 9 3/4" X9 3/4" (10 1/4 X 10 1/4 unfinished). There are 8 rows of 7 blocks (horizontally), currently joined with sashing ( cut crossgrain). I guess I should have done a little more reading prior to cutting the material for the sashing, but I guess this is where the learning curve kicks in. I have already cut the sashing (again crossgrain) that will horizontally join the rows, but I do have enough material that I could cut new sashing (with the grain this time) that would join the rows horizontally. If you are not already confused, my question is #1, do I take out 96 seams between the blocks and replace it with sashing that has been cut with the grain? Everything is in proportion ( I squared my blocks) the strips within the blocks and the strips between the blocks) or do I just cut the sashing that will go between the rows horizontally with the grain, run and gun, cut my losses and pray? I can use the presently cut strips for crossgrain binding. Oh, by the way; I have no pattern for this quilt. I saw a quilt on Pinterest and decided to duplicate it. If anyone has any suggestions to share based on experience and knowledge, I'd definately be interested. Don't be shy. I have a lot to learn and I'm not easily offended, lol. Thanks for your anticipated assistance!

Thank you for coming back to me, Woody! I feel a lot more confident about my ability to be successful in my endeavor now. This special quilt is for my grandson, so I definately want to make it as special as I can. Thank you again, Kim

If I am understanding you correctly, you do not have a problem. Just continue on.

Where you may run into a problem, though, is with lining up the blocks. To avoid wonkiness, this is what I do. After adding a long sashing strip to the bottom of the first row, I turn the piece over and use a ruler and pencil to mark the block seam lines through the sashing. This creates "virtual" seams in the sashing strip. When adding the next row of blocks, I pin the actual seams to the virtual seams and ease or stretch as necessary to get those seams to match. Doing this ensures that the blocks line up when you are done.

Originally Posted by Prism99

If I am understanding you correctly, you do not have a problem. Just continue on.

Where you may run into a problem, though, is with lining up the blocks. To avoid wonkiness, this is what I do. After adding a long sashing strip to the bottom of the first row, I turn the piece over and use a ruler and pencil to mark the block seam lines through the sashing. This creates "virtual" seams in the sashing strip. When adding the next row of blocks, I pin the actual seams to the virtual seams and ease or stretch as necessary to get those seams to match. Doing this ensures that the blocks line up when you are done.

Yep, this is what I do, too. I learned this the hard way when making an attic window quilt. I couldn't get all the "window" frames to line up, until I discovered marking the sashing.

I think you are OK too. If you are careful not to stretch your fabric, I don't think the direction of the grain of your sashing will impact you at all. When I have long sashing strips, I cut them to the proper length first and then ease in the row of blocks as needed--this helps keep all the rows the same length.

Thank you Jeanne, for sharing your expertise! It makes sense and somehow doesn't seem so scary when someone else says it's possible. I'll be sure to share a picture when it's done. And maybe along the way I'll touch base for additional assistance. I was pleasantly surprised by all the support I received. Thank you, Kim

You should be just fine with your sashings. Carry on and have fun. Prism99 has great info on lining up your blocks.

Thank you for responding to my thread! I will try to have fun making it. Sometimes, I feel so slow, I get in a hurry to produce. Then I find I err. Better to go slow and sure I guess. Thanks for your input! Kim