Thread: Sashing Borders

Is there a standard width for sashings, what is the smallest width used for one? Thanks for your responsies

Originally Posted by janedennis

Is there a standard width for sashings, what is the smallest width used for one? Thanks for your responsies

Good question! I personally would go as small as 1/2 inch up to 1/2 the width of the blocks. Of course depending on block size. You could lay a grouping of your blocks on a wholepiece of the fabric you intend to use for sashing and move them apart and together to see what looks good, once you settle on a width, just add your seam allowance and you are good to go!

Rachel

I like to adjust the size of sashing to the size of the blocks. Also you can take into consideration the block design, or over all pattern of the quilt.

Rachel's suggestion is a good one to lay your blocks on a piece of fabric and adjust the width of "sashing" until you get the desired effect you are going for. Be sure and stand back a ways when you look at it... it will look different at a distance :wink:

I don't have a rule but go by "look" often auditioning the sashing at different widths. Starting with a 1" piece seems a little tight for me - not too fond of the 1/2" strip (particularly on a large block). Mine usually vary between 1 1/2 and 2"

should be a division of the finished block size, to keep things balanced looking...such as 3" sashing strips on 12" blocks, 2" on 8-10" blocks, it really depends on the design, how big you want your quilt to grow, but they should be in relation to the block size...if you have a 12" block and put 5" sashing squares around it it will look...odd...try out different sizes to see what you like

My block size is 14 inches finished and have a backing that is 60 inches wide so wanted to add sashing but didnt want to go over the wide of the fabric so after auditioning it needs a 2 inch sash and then i will have gone over the 60 inches wide so will have to piece a backing and didnt want to so what to do. My plan was to make 4 blocks across and 3 down will have to try something else i guess oh well thanks for your responses.

I sometimes "start" with a unit size that is used in the block. If I am making a 9 patch with 2 1/2" strips I would cut my sashing 2 1/2".