Sashing issue.
 

I am still having lots of trouble when I use sashing in my quilts. I can never get them lined up. I have measured all my blocks, squared them up. I add the side sashing without any problem but when I add the bottom, it is :mad:off. Please tell me how to line these up to match.

Have you tried looking at some of the quilting tutorials on shashing that youtube has to offer? If not, watch some of the videos and you might be able to see where the problem is.

When you're putting on the sashing, are you cutting your fabric to measure, or applying it then whacking it off at the edge? I find I'm much happier when I cut the strips to the measured length, then sew, rather than sew and whack off any extra.

Beside cutting strips to the measured length, sew row of blocks to strip. Before ironing strip away from block row, mark on your strip each side of the block sashing. Then pin you next row of blocks to the strip matching the sashing strips between the blocks to the marks on your long strip. Do this for the rest of the quilt and the strips should line up. I hope this makes sense!

Nancy

Cornerstones help a LOT. You can even do cornerstones the same color as the sashing.
Another way is don't attach the whole row of blocks & side sashing then a long strip of bottom sash. Apply sashing (with or without cornerstones) to the side, then add the bottom sashing to the individual block. Now join the blocks with 2 sides sashed into rows & join the rows matching the seams.
In all cases, don't just sew a strip of fabric to your block & whack off the excess. Measure and cut your sashing strips before you apply them.

This is a very good way to do it and get them lined up correctly. But the cornerstone gets added with the second side, whichever side you do second.
Apply sashing to one side. Then apply sashing to second side, with or without a cornerstone. These added sashes just add inches to your block, and in the end you just sew blocks together and that's easier to line up and get the seams matched.

Thanks so much everyone for you advice. I will try this. I was adding the sides, then the width of the whole row which just would not line up. This is the greatest board.:thumbup:

Nlclubb, that is exactly what I do. I found I had much more accuracy when I measured and premarked the sashing strip. Sure it takes a bit of time but it is so nice to see those blocks fitting together properly and all the seams lining up.

I guess that I cheat because I make the sashing part of the block...join the blocks together and instant sashing.

I totally agree with PaperPrincess. This is the only way that I can get my sashings/cornerstones to match where they should.

Perhaps I'm not fully understanding. I add the side sashing to each block then join the blocks then sash a long strip across the entire row.

The method that worked for me was putting sashing on each block as I went, and keeping them on the design floor until I had them all positioned, then started sewing them together. I think the method might be called "sashing as you go"?

You don't have to use cornerstones to get sashing to line up.

I put the quilt together in rows first, with the short sashing strips in-between the blocks. Sew the long sashing strip to the bottom of the first row. The important step at this point is to turn the row-with-long-sashing-strip to the wrong side. Use a ruler and pencil to extend the seam lines from the row of blocks down through the long sashing strip. When you attach the second row to the long sashing strip, use pins to match up the marks on the sashing strip with the seam lines in the second row. Use the same technique after adding a long sashing strip. This keeps all the blocks lined up.

The pencil marks on the wrong side of the long sashing become "virtual" seamlines. This is a lot faster than adding cornerstones, as there is a lot less cutting and sewing. The only extra step is drawing the pencil marks on the wrong side.

Paper Princess is right. Cornerstones have saved many a quilt project for me.

GingerK is exactly right. Take the time and make sure the measurements match up.

This makes sense to me. I will try this and see if this helps. Thanks again everybody for helping me.

I use cornerstones, much easier for me and I like the fabrics I pick for them. Lots of different ways to do the same thing.

A piece of good advice that I have always followed....measure the block in the MIDDLE side to side, not on the edges. Cut that length and then attach.

Count me as another who likes to sash each block individually. Makes it sooooo easy to get everything lined up straight.

On this quilt, I sashed each block with a narrow contrasting color, then a wider black strip. Sew the blocks together, and voilà, instant sashing that lines up perfectly.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=494051&stc=1

This is how I do sashing. Susan Claire (Gourmet Quilter) makes it so easy. The sashing can be all one color or 2 color like in the video. Adjust to your size of blocks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Sa-HeY4dNg

I was looking recently at a professional's quilt which has won prizes. My eyes after scanning the whole quilt zoomed into a section where her sashing stripes did not line up. Only about 1/2" off but even non perfectionist me would have had to alter. Some not lining up I can live with I was amazed this caused me so much of a problem.

I would follow all the above suggestions and make it right. An extra wide outer border which you could trim down to a size you want may be helpful, although it is the inner runs I find cause most problem. Another solution is to offset deliberately each row by 1/2 block size with a plain block.

Recently a a teacher told us in a class that put corner squares along your sashing even if it was the same fabric as the sash and your smashing would always match.