My first QAYG was from a Bonesteel (I think Gloria??) quilt book. I did not sash the front, just sew them together and trim the batting to fit flush together. The back was big enough to fold over to one side and stitch down. All was hand sewn so it wasn't stiff like the machine quilted are. I did sew the blocks together by machine.
I just finished a lap size for a little girl all machine stitched and I did put sashing on it. I zig zaged the blocks together first and them used a small 1&1/2 sashing front and back.
My mother said it was too stiff! It is a utility quilt and I'm sure it will be used.