I'm wanting to create a QAYG quilt using the blocks from the Blocks of the Orient and Oriental Hourglass swaps. In order to get it to come out the size I want I will need 2" wide (finished width) sashing between my blocks.
The technique I tried previously had a very narrow strip (cut 1" wide) that was top-stitched on to join the blocks.
So how do I go about doing this with a wider sashing so it comes out looking right?

I had considered adding a 1" (finished size) black frame around each block then doing the top-stitched strip out of a black with gold print, but I'm thinking that would end up looking way too busy.

Lay your block out on the backing and wadding which is bigger than you would normally do. Basically you are making your blocks "bigger" by having the backing and wadding un covered on the front. then you just cut the front sahing as big as you want and apply it in the same way, just covering up the bare wadding as you go.

You don't say how you are handing the backing finishing, but hopefully this helps.
Best Becks

The way I tried before had you do front and back connecting strip more or less at the same time. You stitched both front and back connecting strips to the original square in a single seam onto the original square. Then you attached the next square to the back strip and topstitched the front strip to the second square.
I only did it as a 3 square vertical wall hanging so I don't know how the rows were to be put together. I'm guessing it would be done the same way as adding squares. Maybe need cornerstones?

Okay... What I would do is keep the backing and wadding wider than the front block then stitch the front strip on first, then use that sticthing line on the back to help you place the back strip. Stitich the ( also bigger) back strip on as you did before. this "stuffs" your sashin with enough wadding so you can fasten the other side as you di before.

Assemble all the rows of your quilt first and then join them int he same way. remeber you need to leave a fair ammount of wadding and batting excess on the edges you are going to join so there is enough when you get there.

try it on a spare bit of wadding backing and something to represent your top so you are clear what to put where and when!
Good luck with it!

best Becks

Thanks ever so much! I was confused by the fact that on the wall hanging I trimmed the batting to the same size as the block and I knew that wouldn't work with the wider sashing.

Just to be sure I have this in my head correctly. . . Starting at the upper left hand corner I attach the upper cornerstone and upper and left hand sashing to the upper left corner block, cut backing and batting enough bigger to accomodate lower and right hand sashing and cornerstone, do my quilting on that block, and proceed across top row adding each unit to the one next to itn then repeat with remaining rows.

Is it easier to do it in rows or stairstep fashion?