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.

Thanks for that question! I'm going to use a couple of solutions in this thread!

If I can, I sew the vertical sashing between the blocks. I then use one solid piece of sashing on the horizantal sashing strip. If that method won't work, I do the cornerstones in betweeen the blocks/sashing but I also add the triangle pieces (square and sew and flip out) to the sashing so that where the sashing meets the cornerstone it forms a star. You don't notice if they are off a little because of the star effect.

Some really good tips = thanks!

These tips are great!! I will be sashing for the first time on a Quilt for my mom.

Thank you all so much. I'm sitting here wondering, Why didn't I think of that??? I'm sure I'll do better now!

I pin, pin and then pin some more, starting with matching the seams on the blocks and the marks on the sashing where they should match. That helps me to ease in tiny discrepancies that can up to big ones.

re:your 'star effect' in sashing intersections: that sounds intriguing and interest-adding.
Any pictures of that you could show? Would love to see it. I've never sashed before so am interested in any wisdom offered, of which there is indeed much, on this board. Thanks, everyone.

These are good ideas! I usually just pin but have been wanting to try the star at the cornerstone...

I try to put the sashing and cornerstones on the individual blocks whenever possible.

This was the original plan for one of my quilts - a double-nine patch block with star point sashes.

The quilt, the block, the sashing and the cornerstones:

As it turned out, I used so many reds for the stars that it was actually easier to make the stars the main part of the block and make the single 9-patches and plain squares into sashing.

This is the block and the quilt top as it was actually made - it's since been quilted, but I have yet to put the borders on it.

Wow - that's beautiful! Never saw one done that way; almost mind boggling. Nice work.

I think that the best method is to measure the supposed width of each finished block and the sashing in between and make the measured marks along the longer sashing strip. Pin each end of each block to the correct marks and ease the difference in whilst you sew. If you are a beginner, you may find that you have quite a lot of easing to do. However, it will help with your accuracy.

Great tip Kitsie! thanks for the pics

Lining of Sashing
 

I find it easier to put sashing on each block before joining the blocks, but only one two sides. I cut my sashing strips on the lengthwise grain so there isn't as much "give". If you put the sashing on this way the sashing becomes part of each block and the points will match. I start out at the bottom left block on my quilt and work my way to the top right. The last row of blocks on the right side only gets sashing on the top of the block. The top row only get a short sashing strip on the right side. The top right block gets no sashing. Then I put a narrow border around the blocks.

I've tried to post a jpeg, but can't seem to figure out how.

I find it easier to put sashing on each block before joining the blocks, but only one two sides. I cut my sashing strips on the lengthwise grain so there isn't as much "give". If you put the sashing on this way the sashing becomes part of each block and the points will match. I start out at the bottom left block on my quilt and work my way to the top right. The last row of blocks on the right side only gets sashing on the top of the block. The top row only get a short sashing strip on the right side. The top right block gets no sashing. Then I put a narrow border around the blocks.

I'd post a graphic, but I can't figure out how and the help section doesn't cover replies.

Good information. I have had trouble with this too.

Yep...what she said....plus when you take that measurement be sure to take it from the center of the block and not the end.

Nothing is perfect, but do love what you do. Practice will make it come closer to what you want and you will be more pleased. There are many good suggestions here that will help.

All these tips are helpful. I will be doing my first "sashing" soon. I did see a chart on here somewhere where it shows doing each individual block. I copied it out and have in my folder, but doing a search I get an error message. Its like only doing certain sides of each block as they line up with the next block that has sashing. It turned out very neatly done and your only working with sashing about the size of your blocks.

Thanks for the tips as have often wondered how to do this

This board is great for advice!

It so nice when someone asks for tips or help and the response comes with some excellent pictures demonstrating the process. i so appreciate that as someone who is always looking to improve technique. I too struggles with sashing strips. THANKS!!!!

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I forget exactly where I first saw it, but I sash each block and then put the blocks together. You have to layout your top on paper to see which block gets which sashing, but when you have done a couple, you have it down pat and can do it quickly. You will see that each row starting from the bottom, gets sashed on the bottom and on one side. The one end block gets sashed on both side. The top row gets sashed on the top, the bottom and one side. Only the final corner block gets sashed on all four sides. Then you just sew your blocks into rows and sew your rows to make the top. You are able to cut the strips for your sashing on the length of grain, making them more stable and each one is the correct length for the block.

Charlie

OOOOOH - I love your OBW! Was it made from one fabric or more than one? BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Thank you, it's actually not mine, it was made by a friend. I will pass your compliment on to her!

It's actually not a OBW, it's a pattern called Florentine Fantasy. You do use just one fabric for the blocks. Here is another version that another friend of mine made. In this picture you can see the original parent fabric in the border. When she was done with the blocks, she sewed a border of green around each block to make them pop.

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I loved all the good replies. Thanks:thumbup:

I just did one the other day, and was having the same problem, although I don't recall having that much of a problem in the past! (Every quilt has it's own quirks) So I did the marking on the long horizontal strip, as Kitsie showed us above. Then when I was sewing, I switched the stitch length to baste when I came to that section. After checking to see if it all lined up, I went back and stitched the basted areas. If it didn't, well, it was easy to remove the basting stitches to realign.

I do it the same way as Kitsie. She has even provided a mini tutorial for you. Save this page for future reference.

Good on you Kitsie. Very clear instruction.

Work it out on paper first. Cut a strip the width of the sashing and several blocks long. Mark each block and the intersections. Transfer these marking to your sashing and you'll be accurate. Just move the template down the sashing as you mark. Easier to do this, then you'll not make any mistakes on your fabric by just marking the fabric using a ruler.
SandyQuilter