Unraveling the Mystery of Sashing in Quilting: Everything You Need to Know

AvatarByJill Nammar Quiting

Have you ever looked at a beautifully crafted quilt and wondered how all the individual blocks seamlessly come together? The answer lies in sashing. This essential technique in quilting adds structure, separates and frames blocks, and ties the entire quilt design together. But what exactly is sashing and why is it such an important element in quilting? In this article, we will explore the intricacies of sashing in quilting and its role in creating stunning and cohesive quilt designs. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced quilter, understanding the basics of sashing will take your quilting skills to the next level. So let’s dive into the world of sashing in quilting and unravel its secrets together.

The Basics of Sashing in Quilting

Sashing is an essential element in quilting that is often overlooked but plays a vital role in the overall design and structure of a quilt. It refers to the strips of fabric that are sewn in between quilt blocks, creating a grid-like pattern. These strips not only add visual interest to a quilt but also provide stability and cohesion to the design.

The width and color of sashing can vary greatly depending on the desired effect and style of the quilt. Some quilters prefer narrow, subtle sashing to frame each block, while others opt for bold, contrasting sashing that adds a pop of color to their design. However, regardless of its size or color, sashing serves both functional and aesthetic purposes in quilting.

One of the primary functions of sashing is to separate individual blocks within a quilt. By adding a strip of fabric between blocks, it creates negative space and helps each block stand out on its own. This spacing also provides room for intricate quilting designs between blocks, which can enhance the overall look and texture of a quilt.

The Importance of Sashing

Sashing is not just an optional design element; it serves a practical purpose as well. When using various fabrics with different weights or textures in one quilt, sashing acts as a stabilizer. It prevents the edges of blocks from stretching or becoming distorted during the piecing process and maintains uniformity within the quilt top. Additionally, if you’re working with intricate or curvy pieces, sashing can help you achieve precise measurements and improve accuracy when joining different blocks together.

Another crucial aspect where sashing comes into play is resizing blocks. Often quilters encounter issues where all their carefully cut pieces don’t quite fit together perfectly due to slight differences in seam allowances or inaccurate cutting techniques. In such situations, adding sashing between these blocks allows for some wiggle room and can help compensate for any imperfections in the piecing process.

Aside from its function as a stabilizer and size adjuster, sashing also adds visual appeal to a quilt. It serves as a border or frame for each block, creating a consistent design element throughout the quilt top. Furthermore, sashing impacts the overall look of the quilt by altering its proportions. For instance, narrow sashing can make a busy design look less cluttered, while wider sashing can add more visual weight to a simple design.

Types of Sashing

When it comes to types of sashing in quilting, the possibilities are endless. The most commonly used ones are solid fabrics, but that doesn’t limit you to just one color or width. You can use multiple colors in one quilt by varying the color of your sashing strips or even using multiple widths.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can experiment with patterned or printed fabrics for your sashing instead of solids. This not only adds more interest to your quilt but also gives it a unique touch. You can even use leftover strips from making blocks as sashing to tie everything together and create continuity within your design.

Another popular type of sashing is cornerstones. These are small squares inserted at the corners where two sashing strips meet. It adds an extra layer of detail and breaks up the monotonous look that long strips of sashing can create. You can also utilize cornerstones as an opportunity to incorporate small fussy-cut pieces or showcase favorite fabric prints.

For quilters looking to add movement and depth to their quilts, using bias-cut fabric for their sashing is an excellent choice. Bias-cut fabric has more stretch and flexibility compared to straight grain fabric and allows for curved or angled designs within your quilt top.

Tips for Working with Sashing

Sewing sashing in quilting may seem like a straightforward process, but there are a few tips that can help make the task easier. First and foremost, always remember to pre-wash your fabric before cutting and sewing. This ensures that any shrinkage occurs before you start piecing and prevents distorted blocks or uneven sashing strips.

When cutting your sashing strips, it’s essential to measure accurately and cut straight lines to achieve precise sizing and avoid wonky strips. One trick to keeping your sashing in place while sewing is to use pins sparingly. Too many pins can shift the fabric and cause puckering or pleats.

Additionally, take your time when basting the quilt layers together. Basting properly ensures that everything stays in place, and there are no wrinkles or unevenness before quilting. Keep an eye on the alignment of sashing seams while basting as well to avoid misalignments once quilting.

Sashing may seem like a small detail in quilting, but its impact on the overall design cannot be overlooked. From providing structure and stability to adding visual interest and enhancing accuracy, sashing plays multiple roles in creating a successful quilt top.

With all the different types and variations of sashing available, quilters have endless

Understanding Sashing in Quilting

Sashing is a quilting technique that involves adding strips of fabric in between quilt blocks. These strips, typically known as sashing, can be of varying widths and colors to create a visually appealing frame for the quilt blocks. The main purpose of sashing is to separate and define each individual block, while also providing structural support to the overall quilt.

History of Sashing in Quilting

The use of sashing in quilting can be traced back to the early 19th century. It was originally used as a way to add stability to quilts made with scrap fabrics. In those days, quilters didn’t have access to precision cutting tools or pre-cut fabrics like we do now, so adding sashing was a practical solution for keeping blocks evenly spaced and preventing warping or distorting.

In addition to its functional purpose, sashing also became popular for its decorative appeal. Quilters experimented with different widths and colors of sashing, creating intricate designs within their quilts. And thus, what was once just a practical technique evolved into an art form.

The Basics of Adding Sashing

Adding sashing is not difficult but does require precision and attention to detail. The first step is deciding on the width and color of your sashing strips. Typically, smaller blocks will look best with narrower sashing, while larger blocks can handle wider strips.

Once you have selected your sashing fabric and cut it into strips, you can begin sewing them onto your quilt blocks. You will sew one strip on each side of the block (except for the side where it will be connected to another block). This creates a border around your block and separates it from the other blocks in the quilt.

When sewing on the top and bottom strips, be sure to align them with the sides that already have sashing. This will ensure that your sashing stays consistent throughout the quilt.

Choosing the Right Fabric for Sashing

The fabric you choose for your sashing can greatly impact the overall look of your quilt. While some quilters prefer to use a solid color for their sashing, others like to use a patterned fabric that complements their quilt blocks.

When selecting a fabric for sashing, it’s important to consider the colors and patterns used in your quilt blocks. You want to choose a fabric that will not clash with or overpower the blocks, but rather enhance them. Another factor to consider is the scale of the print on the fabric. Large prints may be overwhelming on narrower strips of sashing, whereas smaller prints can add interest and detail.

Experimenting with different fabrics and combinations can help you find the perfect match for your quilt design.

Incorporating Sashing into Different Quilt Patterns

Sashing can be used in various ways to add dimension and interest to different quilt patterns. One common way is to use sashing to create a “stained glass” effect in quilts with large block designs. This involves using black or dark-colored sashing between bright-colored blocks, making the blocks pop and creating a beautiful contrast.

Sashing can also be used in more intricate pieced block quilts to create a secondary design element within the layout. By using different colored and sized strips, you can create additional visual interest and complexity in an otherwise simple block design.

Alternatives to Traditional Sashing

While traditional sashing involves sewing strips of fabric between blocks, there are alternative methods that achieve similar results. One option is using cornerstones – small squares at each corner of the block that connect all of the sashing strips together. This adds more structure and stability while also creating a unique design element within the quilt.

Another alternative is using sashing as an accent border around the edges of the quilt rather than between the blocks. This can provide a clean and modern look, especially when paired with a solid-colored backing fabric.

Creative Ways to Use Sashing

Sashing doesn’t have to be limited to just straight, horizontal strips between blocks. Quilters have found clever ways to use sashing in more creative and unique ways. One trend is using angled or “wonky” sashing, where the strips are cut at varying widths and angles for a more playful and modern effect.

Another idea is incorporating sashing into the overall design of the quilt. For example, you can create floating blocks by using sashing fabric that blends in with the background fabric, giving the illusion of floating blocks within your design.

Tips for Working with Sashing

Working with sashing requires precision and accuracy to achieve a professional-looking result. Here are some tips for success:

– Measure and cut your sashing strips accurately to ensure they fit perfectly between your quilt blocks.
– Use a walking foot when sewing on long strips of sashing for better control and to prevent stretching.
– Press seams carefully after each step to avoid puckering or misalignment.
– Square

Q: What is sashing in quilting?
A: Sashing refers to the fabric strips that are used to separate and frame the quilt blocks. It can be plain or patterned and is usually a contrasting color to make the quilt blocks stand out.

Q: Why is sashing used in quilting?
A: Sashing serves both a functional and aesthetic purpose in quilting. It helps to stabilize the quilt blocks and maintain their shape while also adding visual interest and creating a cohesive look for the entire quilt.

Q: How do you choose the right sashing for a quilt?
A: The choice of sashing depends on personal preference and the overall design of the quilt. Consider factors such as color, width, and pattern when selecting sashing. The goal is to enhance the quilt blocks while also creating a visually pleasing composition.

Q: Can I use different types of sashing in one quilt?
A: Yes, you can mix and match different types of sashing in one quilt for a more unique and creative look. Just make sure that they complement each other well and don’t clash with the overall design of your quilt.

Q: What are some tips for using sashing in quilting?
A: When adding sashing to your quilt, ensure that it is cut accurately and sewn with precision to create neat lines. Also, consider using cornerstones at each intersection of the sashing strips for added stability and visual appeal.

Q: Are there any alternatives to traditional sashing in quilting?
A: Yes, instead of using fabric strips, you can opt for other materials such as ribbons, lace, or even beads as alternative forms of sashing. Just make sure they are securely attached to your quilt blocks before quilting.

In conclusion, sashing is an important technique in the quilting world that not only adds aesthetic appeal but also helps in the practical construction of a quilt. It serves as a way to frame and connect various blocks together, creating a cohesive design. Sashing also adds visual interest and can be used to showcase different fabrics or colors.

Through the use of sashing, quilters can experiment with different designs and layouts, making each quilt unique and personalized. The size, width, and color of the sashing can significantly impact the overall look of a quilt, allowing quilters to create endless variations.

While there are various traditional methods for adding sashing, modern quilting has no set rules and allows for more creativity in its use. Quilters can mix and match different sashing techniques to achieve their desired effect. It’s also important to consider the type of piecing method used for the blocks when deciding on a sashing design.

Incorporating sashing into a quilt requires patience, accuracy, and attention to detail. While it may seem intimidating at first, with practice and guidance, it becomes an essential skill for quilters of all levels. Not only does it add another layer of design to a quilt, but it also improves the overall construction by keeping blocks aligned and

Author Profile

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Jill Nammar
My name is Jill but everyone calls me Jilly. I design original cross stitch patterns inspired by vintage French and flowers. Roses are my muse.
I hope you have a cozy time stitching my patterns. Put the kettle on, relax and create a heartwarming piece of hand-embroidered art. Personalize your home and turn up the soulful charm with soulful stitchery.

My goal is to provide you with pretty patterns that promote peaceful stitching. My wish is for you to discover the gentle beauty of hand-embroidery.My patterns have been featured around the web and in Homespun Magazine and Boston Magazine. I find my bliss in cross stitch.

From 2024, I have embarked on a new venture—writing an informative blog on the “Embroidery and Cross-Stitch” niche. This blog is an extension of my passion, where I share detailed posts and respond to queries related to embroidery and cross-stitching.

The blog covers a wide range of topics from beginner tips, pattern creation, historical insights, and the therapeutic benefits of stitching. My goal is to build a community where enthusiasts can learn, share, and grow in their embroidery skills, ensuring everyone can find their own bliss in cross-stitch just as I did.

Thank you to all my customers and readers who have supported Sew French. Your kind emails, photos of completed patterns, and continual encouragement fuel my dedication to this beautiful craft. Join me in stitching a world of beauty and peace, one pattern at a time.