The only quilting I did prior to the current era was back in HS home ec when I assembled a state flower quilt started by my mom and her sister in the 1930's. For the sashing I was instructed to tear all the strips to be sure they were straight and on the straight grain of the the fabric. I used the standard 5/8" seam too. We sent it out to an elderly lady to be hand quilted.
By the way I decided making quilts was not something I wanted to do!