Adding sashing to a quilt top

In traditional quilts, sashing is the strips of fabric that go between the blocks. They add separation and help to define the blocks.

Not all quilts have sashing, but they can be used with great effect.

Below you will find

• Video
• Sashing options
• Calculating the size
• Attaching sashing to the blocks
• Examples of sashing in quilts

Sashing options

There are a lot of different options when considering sashing.

Sashing can be very complex and pieced together with different fabrics, but in this post I am only going to consider a basic sashing with a single fabric.

Fabric options

The sashing can be made with the same fabric as the background in the blocks.

When the fabric matches the background, the blocks appear to float on the quilt. The edges of the blocks aren’t clearly defined.

But the sashing can also be a contrasting fabric.

In this pink Nine Patch Sampler Quilt, I chose a pink print for the sashing and border and then chose matching pink fabrics for the blocks.

The sashing clearly defines the edges of each block.

Auditioning fabrics

To audition fabrics for sashing, try laying out your blocks on the piece of fabric first to get an idea of how it will look.

Cornerstones

Cornerstones are a nice sashing option. Cornerstones are small squares of contrasting fabric that go in between the blocks on the corners.

In this green Twinkle Sampler quilt, dark pink cornerstones stand out on the green sashing that matches the background fabric.

Check out this post to see two methods for adding cornerstones to a quilt.

Calculating the size of the sashing

If you are using a quilt pattern, the size of the sashing will be defined and you will know exactly how much fabric to cut. But if you are making your own quilt, it isn’t difficult to figure out on your own.

Width of sashing

There is no law about how wide your sashing should be, but I tend to use sashings that are 1/4 – 1/3 the width of the block.

So, for a 12″ block, I would use a sashing between 3″ and 4″ . For a 6″ block, I would use something between 1-1/2″ and 2″.

Remember that however wide you want your sashing to be, you need to cut your strips of fabric 1/2″ wider to allow for seam allowances.

Number of strips to cut

Once you know how wide you want your sashing, you will cut strips that width. To figure out how many strips to cut, you need to add the amount of fabric for the small pieces of sashing and the amount of fabric for the long pieces of sashing.

The number of small pieces you will need is the number of blocks in a row minus one, then times the number of rows.

So if you have a 3 x 4 layout, the number of small pieces is 8 – (3 blocks in a row – 1 = 2, then 2 x 4 = 8) If that math is too complicated, just sketch a picture and count them.

The amount of fabric for the small pieces is the number of pieces times the size of the blocks with seam allowances.

The amount of fabric for the long pieces is the length of the row times one less than the number of rows.

So in the sample diagram, if the blocks are 12″ and the sashing is 3″, the rows will be 42-1/2″. There are three rows of sashing, so the total is 3 x 42-1/2 = 127-1/2″

Add the amount for small pieces and amount for long pieces and then divide by 40 to get the number of strips.

(8 X 12-1/2″) +127-1/2″ = 227-1/2″

227-1/2″ divided by 40 = just over 5-1/2

So I will need six strips of fabric.

If you don’t feel like doing all this math, you can always just estimate and then cut more if you need it.

Adding the sashing

Once you have your fabric chosen, it is simple to assemble the quilt top.

Cut small pieces

Begin by cutting the small sashing pieces. These will be the width you determined and the length of the blocks with seam allowances.

Make rows

Join these strips into rows with the blocks. Remember, they only go between the blocks, not on the end of the rows.

Measure rows

When the rows are made, measure them to see how long they are.

If they are all the same and significantly different from how long you thought they would be, cut the long sashing pieces to match the size you have.

Cut long strips

Cut all the long sashing pieces the same length.

Don’t just sew a long strip onto the rows and then trim to size. This can result in stretching or buckling in your quilt top.

Join rows

Join the rows together with strips of sashing in between them.

When you are adding rows, you can use the cross sashing as reference points to align them.

Once all the rows are joined, this inner top is complete and you are ready to add borders to your quilt top.

Examples of sashing in quilts

This Pojagi Inspiration Quilt has a matching sashing and border. The fabric is part of the same collection as used in the blocks.

This version of the Twinkle Sampler Quilt has a sashing that matches the background of the blocks, but different coloured cornerstones.

This Nine Patch Sampler Quilt also has a sashing that matches the background. Because it matches, the blocks aren’t clearly defined.

This Nine Patch Sampler Quilt has a busy print sashing that matches the border. The blocks are scrappy with coordinating colours.

Be sure to #epidastudio when you share your projects on social media!