i'm trying to make a memory quilt for my ddi from her dad's shirts. he was a fisherman so my theme is fish. did some pp fish blocks all different sizes that will be the middle of the quilt. my question is how do i make the sashing to go around them to make them fit in a 24x52 in space.i don't know how else to explain so here is a pic. the boarder is 4 12 in blocks with sashing horizontally. clear as mud ????

Couldnt you just add borders to each block to make them all the same size and then add sashing?

graph paper really comes in handy-
or just lay them out in a pleasing order-then find fabrics to fit in the spaces to make them fit.
i did a sant quilt that way that turned out so GREAT!!!
but sketching on graph paper can really help you make them fit too.

i don't think so cause they are unevenly spaced..check out pic. they are more staggered

that's what i have kinda done on the cutting mat. i have used that to measure. as you can see i have cut fabric ( burgandy ) for both side no i need to do the center dividing the fish blocks then horizontal. i looks like i may have to do y seams ??

This will be a nice memory quilt when you finish. Just wanted to give you a tip on edging all the blocks. Remember that the sashings will butt up against another so you might want to make them half as wide. Or else have your layout plan and then add sashings to sides of one block and then to tops of others. I can see it in my mind but can't explain it well. Please keep us posted on outcome. :-) I like the graph paper idea, too!

i'm sure i understand but i think what you r saying is make each block have their own sashing not try to make the middle pieces fit to each fish square. then sew the blocks together. ??? will look again at the blocks and see if that's what i need to do. thanks

I'd do the same as leatheflea suggested. I've done that with
t-shirt quilts when the motifs weren't the same size and it worked pretty well. You can use more than one border in different colors in different colors on some of the blocks also and you can use fish print fabrics in some borders.

i don't think that will work cause the fish blocks are staggered. i do understand what u mean but not sure it will work for this one. but thanks for your idea's

Here is the link to how I did one of mine.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-48021-1.htm

Hope the picture helps.

I usually use graph paper to figure out measurements. The other easy option would be to give them all 4 inch sashing and trim them down as needed. Lazy way but sometimes I would rather add the waste fabric to my scrap basket than fiddle with the math.

I would do 1 row of 2 blocks at a time. First add sashing to the smaller block to make it the same size as the larger block in the row. You can add to the top, to the bottom, or both depending where you want the smaller block to lay. Then figure how wide a sashing between the blocks to make your 24 inches. I would do this for each row, then figure how much sashing between the rows to make the length you want. Kind of a one-step-at-a-time method.

i was thinking that myself but would it work if the blocks are off center/staggered ? that sounds like the best idea so far...off to the sewing room to see. thanks

Please don't lose the off centered, staggered placement that you have. It is what is going to really make that quilt. Try taking two blocks - one of each size and using them as a unit. Put sashing between them, at the top and bottom as they need to make them a rectangle. Then use those large rectangles to put together with other sashing as needed.

That's what I'd do too.

Lay blocks out on a large piece of sashing fabric that will be the finished size of the quilt exactly as you want the blocks to appear. Spray baste them on to the fabric. Cut away the sashing fabric from the back of the blocks, leaving a "border" of sashing fabric on the back of each block. Ta da! :lol:

Huh??? Just kidding. Add sashing to individual blocks to have them the same size

Why the middle of the quilt fr the block placement ? why not use thse blocks and work around them, with flying geese or 1/2 sq. trangles,or check-board blocks. Just lay the blocks down a little small than you want the quilt to be and use other blocks that have names that mean something to the person that will receive the quilt sort-of tell a story using the blocks you have and ideas from the past that these people have?

I have some different size T-shirts & what you did is very creative, love it.

I would just frame the blocks so that they acquired the correct size.Double frames would add interest.

Buy some fish material, looks like you need some color.
Cut strips of fabric and put between the blocks, any block of a different size add a strip to enlarge, the blocks will need to match at some point to sew them together.
After getting your horizontal rows matched/together, then start the verticaql rows, do the same thing. Adding strips of fabric, adding sashing to enlarge small blocks.
Add narrow strips, wider strips, whatever to get the blocks lined up so you can sew the rows together.

I just did a top that I had to make work. Different size borders are great for these things. They will actually add a great feature when all together.

Since you've pp'd the fish, why not do the same for the sashing? At least to get the size of pieces and layout of pieces you'll need to connect the blocks. You can lay out the paper parts to make sure seams intersect where they look best before cutting into fabric, which could be done just by measurements at that point if you'd prefer, or by finishing the pp'ing. With the staggered blocks you may not want full length vertical or horizontal seams in the sashing anyway.
Then bind in at least one of the other colors in the pp'd fish.

This will be just like putting a jigsaw puzzle together. This is how the "funky" swaps end up as we do all different sizes of blocks.

You will want to make "sections" to avoid doing y seams. Lay out the blocks as you want...(you've already done that). Measure all of your blocks, then figure out what size "fillers" you will need to fit in between them to result in the finished size you need. Either sew some pieced blocks in that size, or just cut some plain fabric filler strips to fill in the "holes". These make such great quilts! Yours is going to be great!

I saw this technique talked about in a quilting book a long time ago, and it just makes the blocks look like they are picture framed in different size frames, then after these adjustments are made the blocks will be uniform. Try auditioning the blocks with some folded scrap to get an idea. :-D

This is what I was thinking Also get your hands away from the hair--- bald spots are never a good look

I agree - add borders around each block to make them all the same size and then join with sashing in between the blocks.

Not being very long in the hobby of quilting, you could maybe put the blocks together with sashing and background that work without stress, and then maybe applique the blocks that are giving you a hard time with the math? I did this with a penguin quilt that didn't quite turn out how my graph paper and I imagined, so I just appliqued the rogue blocks to the top, and they look so amazing! Like I had planned it that way (hahahaha!). I think the fish you have lying on your tabletop are gorgeous, by the way. Just let them flow!

grid paper is best to figure these things out. get some and start drawing what your quilt size is and where you want your blks to go and you will figure out the measurements that way.

Get the graph paper out. That is the easiest way to start figuring your placement. I do the blocks one at a time in order for that row and cut each sashing piece as I go so I don't get mixed up and have even more mismatched sizes. When all the blocks in that row are the same size I stitch it together and go to the next row.

:thumbup: :thumbup: I love your layout, and I hope you don't mind, but I may use it as a reference one of these days!!!
Kif

just wanting to say how nice your fish all are!!

Decide how big you can make each finished block then put a border around each fish so that the finished block is the same size.

If she puts borders the color of the sashing, she wouldn't need sashing.

Yes, they are staggered. But if she borders each of them for a standard size, it won't be staggered any longer. She can still arrange them in quite a few different arrangements, but the standard size is the key.

I think I would essentially applique the blocks as they are on the material in the place you have them now and sash the edges as you see fit. Maybe you You could find some fishing fabric and use that or water type fabric. Great layout and wonderful paper piecing. Love your idea. Good luck.

I agree there is always applique as a last resort. Then everything fits ;-)

Since the graph paper idea did not work with your thinking style, maybe you are a visual person?

lay them on an old sheet in the positions you want. draw lines on the sheet where all the "units" (units including sashings) need to link up. measure the distances from the fish to the lines, add 1/2" for SA.

cut sashings of those measurements.

Do you know what you are using for sashing & borders?

I'm thinking river rock or sea plant fabric.

I hope you end up where you want to be! hugs!

With so many good suggestions this may be one too many.

If you are having trouble with balance, perhaps you could make some small accent squares to help fill the design--some bubbles, water plants (basically very elongated triangles), a turtle or crayfish or if he was an ocean angler, some sea creatures. What you have looks great. I hope it comes together for you.

I would use graph paper also but would take it one step further:

On one piece of graph paper figure out the sizes of each individual square, but keep them proportional (such as one graph square equals one inch). Color each block and cut the pieces out.

Use a second piece of graph paper to lay out each of your "blocks" in a position that pleases you and fits the size you want to keep them contained within. Tape them down then use your scale to figure out the measurements of your sashings for each block.

I have a huge box of colored pencils so that I can make it very clear to myself which color of pencil goes with which fabric. Don't forget to allow for seam allowances before you do the final cutting. I make my drawings the measurements of the finished block.

This may sound pretty simplistic, but it really helps me keep from going bald when trying to design my own layout or alter a pattern I have. I am a very visual person. Hope it makes sense and good luck.