Sashing width for sampler quilt?
 

My mil gave me some 12" sampler quilt squares. I am going to make some more squares to make it a queen size quilt for their bed. How many 12" squares should I make? How wide should the sashing between the squares be?

I have made 9 quilts, but I started all of them myself. I have made many twins size quilts and 1 king. I have never made 12" squares and used sashing though.

Thanks for your help.

How many squares depends on how many borders and their sizes too.
But you can expect a minimum of 25 blocks, 5 rows of five. I would use the blocks that are already made to determine the width of the sashing because I would want it to have a pleasing proportion. If some of the components in the blocks finish at 2", then a good sashing width to cut would be 2.5".

Here's an article that explores your question of "how many" - http://www.delawarequilts.com/MyQuilts/Sizes.html

I love sampler quilts, but I think one of the secrets to making a great sampler is the setting. Have you considered an on-point setting? (Sometimes the blocks lend themselves to this, sometimes not.) Or something with special cornerstones or frames around the blocks? If you google "sampler quilts" and then click on images, you will see lots of examples of quilts with all sorts of settings.

There are a couple of books about various quilt settings, this one might be really helpful.
http://www.amazon.com/Setting-Soluti...0273171&sr=1-9

If you search Amazon for quilt block settings you'll find a couple more blocks about it.

Whatever width you prefer ... audition several.
Plus remember that sashings do not have to have cornerstones ... it can be all sashing.
And too, there's no saying that it has to have sashings ... samplers can be done with the blocks side-by-side.
As for how many ... it all depends how large you want the finished quilt!
A queen size can vary immensely ... how much drop you want for sides and foot, and whether there is to be a tuck around pillows. Plus some prefer the blocks only on the top of the bed with extensive borders; some with blocks on both top and sides with minimal borders.

Measure out what sizeyou need and then do your calculations.