Sash Or No Sash?

It depends on the pattern.

Like others have said, it depends on the pattern. My current project is a double Irish chain which would not look well with sashing.

I think it depends on the quilt. Sometimes quilts sparkle more without sashing, sometimes they pop more with sashing. I think sampler quilts look better with sashing, but One Block Wonders simply cannot have sashing. In between, it becomes a personal design choice.

Again like everyone says some patterns need to be framed , some it would ruin the whole effect to frame.

I seldom sash my quilts. It's hard for me to explain why...I try to sense what the quilt needs. I don't put borders on all my quilts either.

Sashing is like framing a picture. It calls attention to each individual block. If this is what you are going for, then sashing is something for you to try. Sashing is also a good way to add size to a quilt without trying to do it all with the borders. Once again, it's personal preference.

Here are a couple of the D9P's I've done - one sashed and set on point, one not. I love them both ways and deciding which depends on my mood at the time. I love prints vs solids, so my quilts can tend to be pretty because I just can't narrow down my selections :) . I always use at least the same color (usually the same print) for the center square of the original 9 patch. Make a few blocks, lay them out and take pics with the blocks together, and then separated on different color backgrounds to get an idea of how you like it.

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Originally Posted by katier825

Here are a couple of the D9P's I've done - one sashed and set on point, one not. I love them both ways and deciding which depends on my mood at the time. I love prints vs solids, so my quilts can tend to be pretty because I just can't narrow down my selections :) . I always use at least the same color (usually the same print) for the center square of the original 9 patch. Make a few blocks, lay them out and take pics with the blocks together, and then separated on different color backgrounds to get an idea of how you like it.

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Very cool example Katie! I love the layout of your first one and saved a picture that I want to do too. This thread is giving me reminders for the new year. lol

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Sashing really comes in great when doing a block swap. Not everyone's block is the right size. Cutting sashing a little to big, then trimming down to the correct size can solve a lot of problems of the blocks not being the right size. I have been in swaps where the unfinished size was suppose to be 12 1/2". The smallest was 11 1/4" and the largest was 13 1/2". Also, the sampler quilts look better sashed that way it frames the block and separates it from the next block.

Have you seen the window paned disappearing 9 Patch that Jenny filmed? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZfn...69C28&index=26

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Originally Posted by lyric

So tell me, how do YOU decide when/if to apply sashes to your quilts?

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I decide to sash usually if I am making a quilt with blocks and I want the blocks to really stand out.

It really depends on the pattern. Do I want the blocks to stand out individually, do I need to put something between the blocks to break up color/pattern, etc. I think everyone has posted great pics on going either way.