Hi there, fellow sewing fans! Ever looked at a beautiful quilt with all those neat rows of squares and wondered how they get those nice fabric strips in between? That’s called sewing quilt sashing strips, and guess what? It’s amazingly easy, especially once you know the simple steps! I’m here to guide you, just like a friend in your sewing room, to make your quilts look super neat and totally perfect.
Adding sashing is like putting little paths between the pretty blocks in your quilt. It helps each block stand out and can even make your whole quilt bigger. If you’re new to quilting, this is a fantastic skill to learn. So, let’s grab our fabric and thread, and I’ll show you how to add sewing quilt sashing strips like a pro, even if you’re just starting out!
What is Quilt Sashing Anyway?
So, what exactly are these sewing quilt sashing strips we’re talking about? Imagine you have a bunch of pretty square pictures (your quilt blocks). Sashing strips are like the frames you put around each picture and the little spaces you leave between them when you hang them on a wall.
In a quilt, sashing is made of fabric strips. These strips do a few cool things:
- They separate your blocks: This helps each block’s design show up better.
- They add to the design: You can use colors that match or make your blocks pop!
- They can make your quilt bigger: More strips mean a bigger quilt without making more blocks.
It might sound fancy, but learning how to add sashing to a quilt is a very basic and important part of beginner quilting tutorial lessons. It’s a simple way to make your quilts look really finished and professional.
Getting Your Supplies Ready for Sashing
Before we start sewing quilt sashing strips, let’s make sure we have everything we need. Good tools make any job easier and more fun!
| Tool / Material | Why You Need It |
|---|---|
| Quilt Blocks | These are the main squares of your quilt. They can be simple fabric squares or more detailed. |
| Sashing Fabric | Fabric for your strips. Pick a color that looks nice with your blocks! |
| Sewing Machine | To sew your strips and blocks together quickly and neatly. |
| Thread | Choose a good quality thread that matches or blends with your fabric. |
| Rotary Cutter & Mat | For cutting super straight fabric strips. A clear quilting ruler helps too! |
| Pins | To hold your fabric pieces together before you sew them. |
| Iron & Ironing Board | Very important for pressing your seams flat. This makes your quilt look great! |
Having these things ready will make your fabric sashing techniques go smoothly.
Cutting Your Sashing Strips: The First Big Step
One of the most important parts of sewing quilt sashing strips is cutting them just right. Nice, straight strips will make your whole quilt look better.
How Wide Should Your Sashing Be? A very common width for sashing is 2 ½ inches. This is a good, average size. But you can make them wider or narrower if you like! For our example, let’s pretend we’re using 2 ½ inch wide strips.
How Long Should Your Sashing Be?
- For sashing between blocks in a row: These strips need to be the same length as the side of your quilt blocks. So, if your quilt blocks are 8 ½ inches square, you’ll cut these sashing strips 8 ½ inches long.
- For sashing between rows: These strips will need to be much longer. We’ll talk more about these soon, but it’s a good idea to cut them a little longer than you think you need. You can trim them later.
For cutting, lay your sashing fabric flat on your cutting mat. Use your clear quilting ruler and rotary cutter to cut your strips nice and straight. Take your time with this step – it’s worth it!
Sewing Quilt Sashing Strips to Your Blocks – Row by Row!
Alright, let’s get to the fun part: actually sewing quilt sashing strips! We’re going to build our quilt one row at a time. For these steps, we always use a quarter-inch seam allowance. This just means you sew your line of stitches ¼ inch away from the edge of the fabric. Most sewing machines have a mark for this!
Step 1: Attaching Sashing to Individual Blocks
- Take one of your quilt blocks and one of your shorter sashing strips (the ones that are the same length as your block’s side).
- Place the sashing strip on top of the quilt block, with the pretty sides of the fabric touching each other. This is called “right sides together.”
- Line up the edges carefully on one side. You can use pins to hold them if you like.
- Now, sew along that edge, making sure your stitches are ¼ inch from the edge.
You’ve just attached your first sashing strip!
Step 2: Pressing is Super Important!
Don’t skip this step! Pressing makes your quilt flat and your points match up nicely.
- Take your sewn piece to your ironing board.
- First, press the seam flat on the back side, just as it was sewn.
- Then, open up the sashing strip. You want to press the seam allowance (the little flap of fabric inside) towards the sashing strip. This is a key tip in quilting for new sewers.
- Flip it over and give it a little press on the pretty side too.
Your block and sashing should now be lying nice and flat.
Step 3: Adding the Next Block
- Take another quilt block.
- Place it on top of the sashing strip you just sewed and pressed, again with “right sides together.”
- Line up the edge of this new block with the other free edge of the sashing strip. Pin if you like.
- Sew along this edge with your ¼ inch seam.
- Go back to your iron and press this new seam. Remember to press the seam allowance towards the sashing strip.
You now have Block – Sashing – Block!
Step 4: Keep Building Your Row
Keep doing this – adding a sashing strip, then a block, then a sashing strip, then a block – until your row is as long as you want it.
Important Tip: Most quilt patterns will have you put a sashing strip at the very beginning of the row and at the very end of the row too. So, your row might look like: Sashing – Block – Sashing – Block – Sashing – Block – Sashing.
Make all the rows for your quilt this way.
Joining Your Sashed Rows: Making Your Quilt Grow!
Once all your rows of blocks and sashing are done, it’s time to join them together to make your quilt top. This is where we use those longer sashing strips.
Step 1: Cutting Sashing for Between Rows
These sashing strips need to be as long as your finished rows. But here’s a helpful hint: cut these strips a little bit longer than you think you need. Maybe an inch or two extra on each end. It’s much easier to sew them on if they are too long, and we can trim the extra bits off later. This is a great trick for simple quilt assembly.
Step 2: Pinning is Your Friend
- Take one of your finished rows and lay it flat, pretty side up.
- Take one of your long sashing strips and place it on top of the row, “right sides together.” Line up one long edge.
- This is where pinning really helps! Pin the sashing strip to the row all the way along. As you pin, try to make sure the vertical sashing strips in your row line up nicely under the long sashing strip you are adding. You can often feel with your fingers where the seams are to help them match.
Step 3: Sewing the Long Sashing Strip
Carefully sew along the pinned edge with your ¼ inch seam. Try to sew straight!
Step 4: Press, Press, Press!
You guessed it! Time to press.
- Press the seam flat on the back.
- Then, open it up and press the seam allowance towards the long sashing strip you just added.
Step 5: Adding the Next Row
- Take your next finished row of blocks.
- Place it on top of the long sashing strip you just sewed to the first row. Make sure it’s “right sides together.”
- Line up the edge of this new row with the other free edge of the long sashing strip.
- Pin carefully, again trying to make sure your vertical sashing strips line up.
- Sew with a ¼ inch seam.
- Press this seam, with the seam allowance going towards the sashing strip.
Keep doing this until all your rows are joined together with long sashing strips in between. Just like with the rows, many quilters like to add a long sashing strip to the very top edge of the quilt and the very bottom edge too.
The Final Touch: Trimming for a Neat Edge
Now your quilt top is all put together! But you might notice that the ends of your long sashing strips (and maybe the sashing at the ends of your rows) are sticking out a bit unevenly. Time to trim!
- Lay your quilt top flat on your cutting mat.
- Take your long quilting ruler. Place it along one edge of your quilt. You want to line up the edge of the ruler with the straight edge of your quilt blocks, not the bits of sashing that are sticking out.
- Carefully use your rotary cutter to trim off those extra sashing bits, making a nice, straight edge.
- Do this for all four sides of your quilt.
Now your quilt top has beautifully straight edges, all thanks to those sewing quilt sashing strips and a little careful trimming!
Tips for Terrific Sashing Every Time
- Cut Carefully: The more accurate your cutting, the better everything will fit.
- Be Consistent: Try to make your ¼ inch seam allowance the same for every seam.
- Pressing is Magic: Seriously, don’t skip pressing. It makes a huge difference.
- Don’t Stretch: Be gentle when sewing and pressing so you don’t stretch your fabric out of shape.
- Start Small: If this is your first time sewing quilt sashing strips, maybe try it on a small project like a placemat or a mini quilt. It’s a great way to practice!
What Can You Do With Your Sashed Quilt Top?
Wow, look at that! You’ve made a beautiful quilt top with perfect sashing. Now you’re ready for the next steps in quilt making, which usually are:
- Layering: Putting your quilt top together with batting (the fluffy stuff in the middle) and a backing fabric.
- Quilting: Sewing through all three layers to hold them together and add pretty designs.
- Binding: Finishing the raw edges of your quilt with a fabric border.
You could also add more decorative borders around your sashed quilt top before you move on to layering if you want to make it even bigger or fancier.
FAQs
How to sew sashing to a quilt?
You sew sashing to a quilt by first cutting fabric strips. Then, sew these strips between your quilt blocks. You also sew longer strips between your rows of blocks. Always press your seams towards the sashing.
What is a sashing strip in quilting?
A sashing strip in quilting is a piece of fabric. It goes between the blocks of a quilt. It helps separate the blocks. It can also add to the quilt’s design.
What is a strip quilt?
A strip quilt is made by sewing long strips of fabric together. These strips can be different colors or patterns. Sometimes these strips are then cut and sewn again to make designs.
How to sew binding strip onto quilt edges?
Sewing binding strip onto quilt edges finishes the quilt. You make a long fabric strip. Fold it in half. Sew it to the raw edge all around your quilt. Then, fold it to the back and stitch it down.
What is the golden ratio for quilt sashing?
The golden ratio is a math idea about pleasing shapes. Some quilters use it for sashing width. They might make sashing about 1.6 times smaller or larger than a part of their block. But many quilters just pick a size they like.
You’re Ready to Make Amazing Quilts!
See? Sewing quilt sashing strips isn’t scary at all! It’s a simple set of steps that can make your quilts look incredibly tidy and well-made. By taking your time with cutting, sewing straight seams, and pressing carefully, you can add this wonderful touch to all your quilting projects.
Now that you know these fabric sashing techniques, what kind of quilt will you make first with sashing? I’d love to hear about your plans in the comments below. Happy sewing, and enjoy making your quilts even more beautiful!
