Help me understand how to do the sashing...please.

[Juliadlf]

I am doing a version of the Jelly Star quilt. Each block is around 11 inches. I want to put a 2 inch (finished) sashing between the blocks but not sure just how to accomplish this to get it all to connect correctly and visually right.

There will be 3 or 4 blocks across and 5 down. I will be putting a border which will be approximately 4 inches wide and then the binding. Might add a second border but right now I'm just planning for 1.

Thanks,
Julia

[auntiemern]

Sounds easy enough. You would just cut the sashing at 2 1/2". After 1/4" seam on each side will leave 2". The same for the long strip between the rows. After you get your star blocks squared just make sure the seams all line up and pin them at the seam junctions. Should work out fine.

[bkthomas]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSBUVro0wFc

Here you go....

[yeeehawterri]

I've gotten to where I use corner stones (I think that's what they're called) because I can never get everything to align. No more wonkiness for me! At least as far as I'm concerned.

[GuitarGramma]

I'll assume that you're doing 20 blocks, 4 across and 5 down.

Cut 25 strips, 2.5" wide and 11" long. Now lay out your blocks (I'm assuming they're different colors. If not, then you don't have to lay them out.)

On the left-most 5 blocks (one per row), attach one of these strips to each side of your jelly star block. These 5 blocks now look like this <strip><block><strip>.

On your remaining 15 blocks, attach one strip to the RIGHT side of each block. These 15 blocks now look like this <block><strip>.

Now form these into 5 rows. Hint: I always work towards the middle. It seems to help me get straighter rows. When I just attach 1 to 2 to 3 to 4, I end up with kind of diagonal rows instead.

Now you want to work with long 2.5" strips of fabric.
Attach one long strip to the top of your top row and one long strip to the bottom of your bottom row.
Now keep attaching strips to the tops of your rows and then attaching rows together.
Like before, I tend to work toward the middle to keep things lined up and straight.

Please post a photo when you get the top all assembled. I can't wait to see it.

[shorte85]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSBUVro0wFc

Here you go....

Nice video! Thanks for this tip, I'm sure I'll run into this problem one day.

[Juliadlf]

Thank you all for the information and the video link. I went into total brain freeze thinking about this. I have about 7 more squares to do and then I can start cutting for the sashing. Didn't want to cut before I figured out what was the best way to tackle this.

The background color is a light blue with each star being different shades of yellow designs (hubby loves yellow). I'm not sure yet if the sashing should be the light blue (same as background) or go with a solid lemony yellow so maybe need to go to the fabric store and get a couple of samples to compare. Then I can contemplate the outer border color as a yellow solid or print.

I'm sure I'll be back for more help and opinions and will post pics as I progress. Many, many thanks for all the help.

Julia