Two ways to add cornerstones to a quilt top

Cornerstones are small contrasting squares that go in the sashing at the corners of the blocks. They can add more definition to the blocks as well as colour and interest.

In this quilt, Mod Stars, the cornerstones add a fun secondary design between the stars.

There are two methods for adding sashing, so you can try them both.

Below you will find

• Video
• Cornerstone Method 1
• Cornerstone Method 2
• Examples of cornerstones in quilts

Cornerstone Method 1

This is the traditional method for adding cornerstones. It is added in rows of sashing.

Add sashing between the blocks

This method begins the same way as adding plain sashing.

Join small pieces of sashing to the blocks and join the blocks into rows.

Make sashing rows with cornerstones

Then make rows with sashing strips the size of the blocks with cornerstones between them.

Join the rows together

Then join the rows together.

This method works well with small quilts

Cornerstone Method 2

If you have large quilts, joining all the long strips can be awkward. This method eliminates some of that.

Join sashing strips to blocks

Join a small sashing strip to each block, except for the blocks at the end of the row.

Then join sashing strips to each cornerstone.

Remember that the sashing only goes between the blocks, not on the edges.

Join cornerstone strips to blocks

Now join the cornerstone strips onto the bottom of the adjacent blocks.

Now the blocks have sashing and cornerstones “built in”.

Join the blocks together

Now the pieces are just treated like large blocks.

Join the blocks into rows.

When the rows are joined together, it looks exactly the same regardless of what method you used.

Examples of cornerstones in quilts

This Twinkle Sampler Quilt has cornerstones in the secondary block colour. It adds interest to the dark background.

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

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