Thank you for all the suggestions. The quilt frame I used is a four rail so there was no basting going on before I started. I'm just a beginner hand quilter and wasn't sure what I would do when I started. I didn't want to try and hand quilt all the seams! Seams are scary to me for hand work!!! That was when I decided to do the blocks and then machine quilt the sashings. That was probably a the big mistake right there, huh?!! I have quilted around the inside of each redwork block as well as the corners. It took me forever to get that much hand work completed. I'm slow! I'm not taking it out!
It is just weird that the top is so bad and the batting and the backing are both so nice!
My sister-in-law, niece and I looked at the quilt again yesterday and I "think" I can fold over a tuck in the middle sashing strip and top stitch it down and that'll take care of the excess fabric. It's a plan.
I just am not sure what I did differently with this quilt and my first one. Oh, well. We'll find out when I try a third quilt. I have to make a new top so I can go at this again!
Thanks again for your suggestions. Any suggestions before quilt three is appreciated!