lining up sashing
 

I am having trouble when I make quilts with sashing between the squares. I sew a row of squares together with sashing in between. Then I sew a long strip of sashing to one side of the row. When I sew the rows together, I try to pin the horizontal row meticulously to the neighbor, but given there is 1 or 2 inches of sashing separating the seams, it is hard to match them and I end up with some "jogs". I hope I am making myself clear. Does anyone have a good tip for matching sashing perfectly?

I mark the sashing at points where the blocks should match. This helps me to line up.

I use a small square block at the intersection to keep all seams lined up

I had the same problem the one time I tried doing the sashing and blocks in long rows. If you are off a little in seam allowance, you tend to be off A LOT by the end of the row.

After that, I tried adding the sashing and small block to the big blocks individually (like to the side and top of a block) and then attached the big blocks to each other. I had much better luck getting the seams to match up!

I like to add a small block to the intersection also. It makes lining up the blocks much easier and doesn't take that much longer. Sometimes I make the little block the same color and sometimes I use a contrasting color. It gives the quilt a nice look.

You need to mark the sashing before attaching the next row. This is what you are missing.

Create your rows with short sashing strips between blocks. Attach long sashing strip to bottom of first row. Before attaching second row, turn first row over and, using a ruler and pencil, mark all the seams as if they were continuing into the sashing. When you pin the next row on, match all the seams in the 2nd row with all the markings in the 1st row. When you sew, ease as needed to keep those pinning points matched. This will ensure that all the blocks will be lined up and even when you are done.

An alternative method is to insert cornerstones (squares in the sashing where blocks join); however, that is a lot more work and changes the look of the sashing.

do you measure the long row of blocks and cut the sashings to that size??. you must do that and then pin at the center and ends, then lay if flat and pin, pin, pin. fabric will move if you let it. good luck

I use either cornerstones (the little blocks at each sashing intersection) OR I sash each individual block instead. It's MUCH easier to do this instead of dealing with all those long strips. Divide your desired sash width by 2, add seam allowances, and sew onto each block. Then sew the blocks together in rows.

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Here's how I do it :) May not be in order - Line up next row to chalk lines.
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Good question and some wonderful tips. Thanks, I am sure it is going to help with my next one that i want to add sashing to increase the size of a scrappy pinwheel quilt. I just cannot decide which fabric to use.