Sashing help please.

[Pat.W]

I'm making a simple patchwork lap quilt and have sewn sashing on top and bottom, all good so far. The sides need to be 47 1/2" long but WOF is 44" and I don't have enough yardage to cut any other way. So question is, where is the best place to put a joining seam as the difference is so small and should it be straight or mitred? I am keeping corners square, not mitred. Not sure how am going to quilt it, my SITD is always way off and my FMQ is atrocious! Suggestions welcome. Thanks.

[easyquilts]

Re: Sashing help please.

I usually join mine toward the end....especially if the added amount is very small.... And, I like the look of a mite red join... But, I straight join might actually be less noticeable... .??

[vchale]

Re: Sashing help please.

I think a straight joint is less noticeable. If it looks too close to the end you might want to shorten the long piece first. Have you ever tried doing a straight stitch with your free motion foot? I find it easier for me to do SITD that way. You might also do diagonal lines going from point to point if your squares are not too large.

[MartinaG]

Re: Sashing help please.

For that reason I usually combine sashing with corner stones.

[auntiemern]

Re: Sashing help please.

I would add a piece of one of the fabrics somewhere in each border to add the length you need. That way it looks like part of the design, and not like a piece you just had to add on.

[JCY]

Re: Sashing help please.

Don't you mean a border, not sashing? I was taught that the sides of the quilt should be bordered first, then the top & bottom, since one's eye readily goes to the top & bottom. I always piece my borders if they are longer than 40". I use the mitered way, rather than a straight seam, unless I'm doing piano keys, brick road, or some other specialty border. Once the quilting is done, the piecing barely shows. I think it's much easier than trying to cut a long strip. JCY

[Pat.W]

Re: Sashing help please.

[QUOTE=JCY;454490]Don't you mean a border, not sashing?

Oops shows I'm a beginner quilter, yes I mean border. The lap quilt is square, I thought it easier not to mitre, that's something else I have to learn. I thought about putting corner pieces in but the border is 5" wide and the squares are 4" so thought it would be too much of a 'fiddle' to sort out, must be easy for me, patience is not my virtue! So I think I will join border seam and put it level with the bottom row of squares and when come to quilt it do SITD there and corresponding line of stitching in each other corner as though part of the pattern. Does that make sense? I'm off now to try this out, will post photo of my effort in a few days........hopefully.

[Shirley]

Re: Sashing help please.

I piece my borders quit often using a straight seam. It rarely shows once quilted. I was told (don't know how accurate this is). That when you piece your border don't put it in the same place on both sides, that way it isn't obvious. Does that make sense? Any who that's the way I do it.

[Vonnie]

Re: Sashing help please.

It all depends on the fabric I'm using for borders. The baby quilt I did last November had a solid red border. I just did it a straight seam. But, made sure it was not near the end and also not in the same spot on the other side. If I ever figure out how to post pictures I will.

[Vonnie]

Re: Sashing help please.

I would add a piece of one of the fabrics somewhere in each border to add the length you need. That way it looks like part of the design, and not like a piece you just had to add on.

That's a neat idea!

[tesspug]

Re: Sashing help please.

I join my borders with a straight seam. As for quilting I do a crosshatch all over the quilt using wide painters tape as my guide. Lay a piece of tape diagonally across the center of your quilt and use the tape as your guide. Then move the tape along the quilt lines. When you finished the lines you lay the tape perpendicular and quilt in the other direction. Tallgrass Prairie Studio: Straight Line Quilting...Hints and Tips