Quilt as You Go:
Joining Blocks with Sashing
After the blocks are quilted square them to the same size, even if that means batting is showing.
Decide the width you want your sashing to be. Add ¾ inch to that. (ex. If you want a 2” sashing start with 2 ¾” strips.) Cut a strip of the backing and a strip of the sashing fabrics.
To make sure you have the correct blocks together, lay them side by side on your working surface. Directional, you will be working on the right side of block one and the left side of block two.
Right sides together, pin the sashing to the front and the backing to the backside.
Sew along the edge. Use great care in making sure your fabrics line up correctly and a ¼” seam allowance is used. If it is not lined up properly this will cause problems when attaching the rows together. Once sewn, flip the edges over and press.
To ensure you don’t accidentally sew over
the front piece while working on the backside
pin it down.
Fold the backing fabric in ¼” Using starch iron stiff. It is important to have a straight fold. If it is crooked you will end up with a crooked seam when joined to block two.
At this point there are two ways you can finish the QAYG process. I will be explaining the method I use since I hand quilt and do not want the sewing machine stitching to show on the front. The backside must be the strongest and doesn’t have to be as aesthetically pleasing.
Lay the backsides up. Carefully pin the sashing to block two’s left side. Measure to ensure the width is the same. Sew.
If it is done correctly the raw edge will not show.
With the front side up, measure the space between the seams. Cut a strip of batting to fit in the space flush with the seams. Using a lite adhesive of your choice join the batting to the front sashing. I used an ultra-lite fusible webbing.
Fold the front sashing under the batting. Make sure you will cover the seam from the backing. Pin.
Hand stitch the sashing down.
Congratulations! Block One and Two have been successfully joined!
Continue joining blocks together in the rows (Row One: Block Two to Three, Block Three to Four, etc.). Once each row has been joined use the same method to complete the quilt.
Remember at the beginning I said square up the blocks, even if a little batting is showing?
Even if your blocks are exactly the same size to start with, the amount of quilting can make the blocks wonky. The sashing will hide these flaws.
