How to Choose Sashing for Quilts
You can make a quilt top sewing all the block sections together, or you can create a different look using sashing. You make sashing by cutting strips. Instead of placing the quilt block sections directly together, place strips between the sections and rows. Choosing sashing depends on your quilting skill level and preference. For example; if you’re a beginning quilter, you may use sashing of different widths if your blocks slightly vary in size. If you’re an advanced quilter, you may use sashing to increase the quilt’s size. Regardless of the reason, you must know how to choose sashing.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Pick the type of sashing. You have three options for choosing sashing. If you want the quilt borders to frame your blocks, use contrasting fabric. Sashing that contrast your blocks makes them stand out. To unify the blocks, you can use sashing strips that have something in common with the blocks. The float option allows you to use the strips the same color as the background of the quilt.
-
2
Choose different fabric colors. Purchase different fabric based on the type of sashing you need. If you choose the frame option, purchase colors that don’t complement your pattern, like green fabric with zebra print. You may purchase more than two colors of fabric.
-
-
3
Cut sashing. To make sashing, use cut the fabric into four single strips. Use the quilt blocks as your guide. Regardless of the number of color options you pick, you should have two column- and two row-size strips.
-
4
Select the sashing. Experiment with the different sashing strips and a couple quilt blocks. Arrange the fabric on a flat surface, such as a floor or table. Place the sashing along the sides, top and bottom of the blocks. Look at the sashing and blocks and choose the one you like. You may have to repeat the process, depending on the variety of fabric you purchased.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
You have plenty of freedom when choosing your sashing. You can vary the size and color of the sashing according to your taste.
Cut the sashing according to your pattern. For example; if your quilt pattern requires you to cut fabric along the grain, cut the sashing the same way.
If you want to frame your quilt blocks, make narrow sashing strips. If you want the blocks to stand out, use wide sashing strips.
Sashing isn’t a border. In quilting, a border goes around the entire quilt’s edge, not between the border sections.
References
- Photo Credit Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
