Piecing Sashing Strips For A Quilt
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Midwest
Posts: 242
Piecing Sashing Strips For A Quilt
I am making a quilt for a great grand daughter. The pattern calls for nine blocks which are pieced together in threes. The rows of three are then put together with sashing between the rows. My pattern says to cut the sashing crosswise on the fabric and then to piece the strips as necessary to accomplish the sashing. I have always joined sashing with horizontal seams but this pattern tells me to use diagonal piecing just as I would do when piecing strips of binding. It makes me wonder if I have previously been doing so wrong or if this is a matter of preference. The sashing strips are cut 4 1/2" wide and I will be using 4 strips for the sashing. Two rows of border will also be pieced. I assume that I should use the same type of joining on all pieces of the quilt but just wondering what others do. All comments appreciated.
#2
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,385
I don't think it matters. I have always pieced it on the diagonal because that is my preference, but I don't think either way is right or wrong.
The only time I think piecing diagonally is the so-called "correct" choice is when you're sewing together strips for binding, because that spreads the seam out along the edge, so you don't have a huge lump in one spot. But again, that's personal preference.
The only time I think piecing diagonally is the so-called "correct" choice is when you're sewing together strips for binding, because that spreads the seam out along the edge, so you don't have a huge lump in one spot. But again, that's personal preference.
#3
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Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,055
When possible, I prefer to use the diagonal for a couple of reasons, the main one is it makes the seams in patterned fabric less noticeable, and two because I feel it is more stable, or at least less likely to unravel at the seam line.
I don't think it matters very much. If I'm just short and don't have enough fabric, I'll use a straight seam.
I also prefer to miter border sashes but sometimes that can look weird when all the other seams are blunt and plenty of patterns call for blunt sides even if there are diagonal seams in the block...
I don't think it matters very much. If I'm just short and don't have enough fabric, I'll use a straight seam.
I also prefer to miter border sashes but sometimes that can look weird when all the other seams are blunt and plenty of patterns call for blunt sides even if there are diagonal seams in the block...
#4
"They" say that when you join strips for sashing or borders, diagonal seems are less noticeable to the eye of the viewer. I've always done it that way, but I suspect that by the time you get something quilted, it doesn't matter very much.
#6
Yeah, sewing it on the bias like that just hides the seam a little better. And you most likely want to do the same on the boarder as you do on the sashing. Doing it differently is going make any horizontal seams stand out even more, and while sometimes that can be desirable, it's probably not the best for the pattern you're describing.