First quilt, advice on sashing
 

I am making my first quilt top. (The Craftsy BOM 2012) I have decided to do sashing and cornerstones. Are there any tips anyone can share on how to do this. Most of my blocks turned out to be the proper 12.5 x12.5 - but I know there are a few that aren't. Looking for some help with using the sashing to make sure everything ends up square.

I looked at you Tube and didn't find anything that gave hints to make some corrections....

I appreciate all the advice here!

From what I have hears (never tried it this way) you should measure your quilt across the center - side to side and top to bottom - and make your borders as long as each measurement. (If they are a bit off, ease the quilt to fit.) Once you have the border measurements, then add the cornerstones and stitch on the quilt. Good luck and post a photo when done.

http://quilting.about.com/od/quiltsa...rnerstones.htm http://mattandshari.com/quilting/sam...ction-new.html

I think she's talking about sashing inbetween the blocks, not borders.

Dutchgirl, I think using cornerstones is the best way for beginners to make sure blocks line up correctly, especially if you nest your seams nice and snug. As for the blocks that don't quite measure 12.5", here's a way you can fix that so your quilt (hopefully) ends up nice and square.

http://lilysquilts.blogspot.com/2011...cant-seam.html

Hope this helps!

Adding: For future quilt reference, another way I make sure my sashing lines up correctly with the blocks is to sash each block individually, instead of using long strips. This works best with no cornerstones, and with a fabric that is not a light color and has some sort of print (including tone-on-tone). You simply sew sashing around each block, then match the seams and sew into rows.

Are the blocks that are quite the correct size smaller or larger? If they are smaller, easy...cut your sashing pieces a bit wide. Trim ALL your sashed blocks so they are all the same size. Then cut your cornerstones. In the overall quilt you will likely not notice that the sashing on a couple of blocks is different from the others. This will then get you to a squared quilt before starting to add borders if that is your plan.

NJ Quilter.... that is what I was thinking that if I trim all the sashed blocks to the same size it will take care of the problem. I want to sash each block with small sashing strips vs. a long one in hopes of evening everything out. I was planning on adding 2 borders after the sashing is complete.

Many thanks to all who chimed in !