If you bought the solid fabric for your sashing and backing as one big piece (like I did) you have a big hunk of fabric to work with for this next step. These are the long sashing strips that go above and below rows of bricks. Step 3: The first sashing strips are as long as the width of your block, in the example 12½", so cut enough strips exactly to that size. That means I need 12 strips to make all my long sashing - easy. Set aside. Press the seams toward the sashing strips. Remember to check for a clean cut before moving your ruler. Cut the short sashing for the center squares as follows: Cut 15 strips at (10″ x 1″) Cut 15 strips (10″ x 2″) Fold the 2″ strips in half and press to get a nice crisp fold. Sew the vertical sashing strips alternately with the block rows. I place my ruler on top of the fabric with only 1.5" overlapping. Put a pin in one piece of fabric where you think it should go. Line up each block with a sashing strip, match up the corners, and pin them. Match the center of the strip to the center of the block and pin. Cut 6 strips from the long strip to your measurement. Take the August block (which will appear top left in the quilt) and join the long side of the short sashing strip (cut in step 3) to the bottom of the block. I only set out one strip in this example. SORRY! Sew the borders on to the sides and press. I still have a healthy size pile to cut into scrap user sizes. I am a quilter who loves quilting outside the box especially when it comes to 3D and embellishments. Now, my prewashed linen measured 56" from selvedge to selvedge. The sashing can be cut into four 2½” x 9” rectangles and will go between the blocks. Sew the borders on top and bottom. Wondering why your fabric must be in the air? You will need 111 plain sashing strips and 140 sashing strips with the corner post square attached. Sew each row together. This is the critical part. Often designer fabrics are printed with the name of the fabric designer and collection along the selvedge. Lay your flat, folded yardage on your work surface, careful to keep the selvedges together. I chose solids that corresponded with the turtles. Quick appliqued cushion ideas for the holidays. Start by folding your strip in half and marking the center with a pin. Click on the image below to read the whole issue FREE online. Try to disturb the fabric as little as possible. If this is your first time cutting yardage, give yourself a break! Whew! Divide the width of the quilting fabric (40 inches) by the width of the sashing strips (2.5 inches) to determine how many vertical sashing strips you can cut out of one strip of fabric. Use 3 pins. Olfa 24″ x 36″ double-sided healing mat 3. Place your ruler over the right edge of your fabric and trim off whatever is necessary to make an even edge. Join us tomorrow as we finish quilting and embellishing this cute turtle wall hanging! The right side of your yardage should lie over your cutting mat. Cut 6 strips from the long strip to your measurement. Try to keep the fabric that remains on the table very still and match up the first fold to the selvedges carefully. We'll work on getting the 1.5" strips to the right sizes later on. Add ½-inch to that for seam allowances you could cut your sashing strips up to 3 ¾ -inches wide. Make a straight cut at 55 inches wide. Fill in the rest of the length with pins until it’s all secure and evenly distributed. Olfa 60mm rotary cutter 4. QUILTsocial was created for all quilters, beginners and experts alike, to empower them with the skills, techniques, and creativity required to make quilts that will be cherished forever. Do plan on cutting all your strips in one go as repositioning that big piece of fabric for a second session would be annoying. The sashing can be cut into four 2½” x 9” rectangles and will go between the blocks. After you sew a long sashing strip to the top or bottom of a row, draw registration lines on the unsewn edge of the long sashing strip. This shifting is similar to how sliding doors move on a track. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. When pressing, remember to press into the dark fabric, as shown. Now join the top of the May block to the lower edge of the short sashing strip. Find the center of the border strip, and mark that with a pin. I use three pins to help me sew on my border strips. Pull back and do a visual check then repin in the exact place so they are lined up. When I am not in my studio, I am working as a Social Media Manager. Now you are positioned to cut those strips! All rights reserved. Using a small ruler, position its edge along the short sashing strip (between the blocks) and mark the edge of the long sashing strip … Alabama Chanin, crewel, half square triangles. I like using the Decorative Numbered Pins from Unique Quilting for the simple reason that the pins have a nice thick end for me to grab onto and push into the fabric. Then I cut those strips into 3 1/2" by 14 1/2" for the horizontal rows of lattice. We're almost there! This allows me to align the grid on the ruler with the exposed lines on my cutting mat along the side of the fabric. Our goal is also to keep viewers abreast of new quilting products, and how to use them effectively to make quilting easier and enjoyable. Now, match the 2 center points. Here’s a great tip on how to do it so the vertical sashing between the blocks lines up. Next, I sewed those sashing strips and blocks into a row. So, for strips #1 and #2, I might start at this end and I'll sewn down. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Next I cut two strips of checkerboard 3 1/2" wide. Jenny Doan shows some sashing ideas, guaranteed to add some "pizzazz" to your quilt! Yesterday’s post we had so much fun choosing all the fabric for the turtle quilt blocks and today we’re ready to move on! I press down with my hand as I run along the edge to see where the fabric will lie when I place the ruler flat over it. Dig through your scraps and separate any strips measuring anywhere from 1½ to 3 inches wide. Making the most of your fabric scraps for... 5 top notions stitch up a crumb quilted... Crumb quilting makes a spectacular needle case! New Topics; Member List; Calendar; Forum; We don't know much, but we know quilters; Quilting Questions; If this is your first visit to the Missouri Star Quilt Co's "Quilter's Forum", be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. Calculate how many 2.5-inch-wide 40-inch-long strips you need to make the long horizontal sashing strips. New Topics; Member List; Calendar; Forum; We don't know much, but we know quilters; Quilting Questions; If this is your first visit to the Missouri Star Quilt Co's "Quilter's Forum", be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. Let's push through this last session of cutting so we can get on to piecing our quilt top. Line the two rows up right sides together. Press to the dark fabric to avoid fabric showing through on the quilt top. If you are blessed to be using a large mat, you may only have to fold your fabric once. Now for the Quilt Lattice or Sashing and borders. Watch a … Then, I repeated that process until I had 3 rows. Solid Honey Buns (more colors coming soon). That's all folks. But what about if your fabric measures less than 53" from selvedge to selvedge (as it will if you are using Kona cotton)? So, I change my approach when cutting on a wide expanse of fabric. After my rows were complete, I pieced and cut long border/sashing strips exactly to … Turtle wall hanging quilted and embellished with polka dot buttons. Again, I will be demonstrating on a 18 x 12" cutting mat. In that case, you have a little more work. Right now you want to cut enough 1.5" strips to eventually become the long and short sashing. Quilters Slidelock 6. Turn your cutting mat so that you have the greatest possible horizontal length. Creative Grids Ruler 8½” x 24½” 2. Get started on your creative journey with the best in creative education taught by world-class instructors. Now sew a long row of sashing strips together by connecting their short ends with a setting square between each sashing strip. Want to be a better strip cutter? She uses Honey Buns. Let those selvedges hang over the edges a bit. Cut three 2½” x 26½” strips for sashing between rows and top and bottom border. Project ideas for using leftover fabric applique pieces! 3. From that I cut … This does not mean your sashing is 13-inches wide. Tip: Cutting from one continuous strip helps to stagger where the seams will land on the quilt and give a nicer overall appearance. Then ease any discrepancies between block and sashing along the length. Available with seamless streaming across your devices. Don't you hate it when your strips have "elbows"? Keeping the selvedges aligned, shift the fabric as necessary so that there are no pull lines and the fabric hangs flat. First measure the height of your quilt blocks. Be very careful when you fold! The last step before you're ready to cut is to align your bottom folded edge with a horizontal line on the cutting mat. Pinning only through long sashing strip, insert pins at raw edge to mark seam lines of each short sashing strip. Follow the directions above (Steps 3-5) until you are ready to cut again. (For my quilt I estimated around 180 strips.) In my case, my folded fabric was larger than my ruler. In this case, you will be able to cut 16 vertical strips from every 2.5-inch strip. You also need 55 strips that measure 1.5 x 5.5". You'll need it for a little figuring... You need 12 strips that measure 1.5 x 53". If you're cutting on a small 18 x 12" mat, you'll need to fold your fabric again. This will allow for greater ease and accuracy! Trim these remaining 12 strips to measure 1.5 x 53 inches. The first thing you do is multiply 8 x 1.618 and get 13. You’ll need to decide on a layout you like, whether it be two turtle blocks across and three down, or three across in two rows. Sew the three blocks together in each row. I sewed my strips with a 'straight' seam. Sew the vertical sashing strips alternately with the block rows. Step 2: Sew the quilt blocks to the sashing strips, always pressing seams toward the sashing. Learn how your comment data is processed. Oliso Iron 5. Then I sewed one sashing strip to the first two blocks and two sashing strips to the last block. Trim off the selvedge or trim for a straight edge and discard. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Every fold introduces an opportunity for wavey edges. Cut the long sashing for the center of the quilt as follows: Cut 6 strips at (1″ x 40″) Cut 6 strips (2″ x 40″) Press to the dark fabric. See all our, Quilt and embellish your Turtle on the Trot wall hanging, How to use HeatNBond for the Turtles on the Trot quilted wall hanging. When pressing, remember to press into the dark fabric, as shown. The trouble here is that I cannot align the ruler with lines on the cutting mat both above and below the fabric, which effect cutting accuracy. And while we're at it, let's cut the sashing strips and cornerstones, too. Follow these steps to assemble the quilt: Sew sashing units vertically between each quilt block in each row, and to the ends of rows if you've chosen that look. Press to the dark fabric to avoid fabric showing through on the quilt top. If you are working with over 1.5 yards of fabric, you will need a partner to help you match up the selvedges all the way along the fabric, while still holding the fabric in the air. Today we’re going to put this adorable Turtles on the Trot quilted wall hanging together using our six cute turtle blocks and some colorful sashing and borders. 1. Position one or more strips along a horizontal line of your cutting mat, as shown. Now, does your fabric fit on your mat? Tip: Cutting from one continuous strip helps to stagger where the seams will land on the quilt and give a nicer overall appearance. This smallish mat will force me to fold my fabric twice for cutting in order to make it all fit on the mat. Depending on your situation it may work well to pull the fabric down towards a horizontal line or instead to move the cutting mat under your fabric to align. Next is piecing our Colorbrick Quilt! The shortest need to be 6½ long, and long strips can be cut to size as you work along. I opted for the three turtles across in two rows. Once you decide, use your 2½” strips for the sashing and border. Be sure to reserve 12 full-length strips for your long sashing strips. In that case, do trim for a straight edge. June Taylor Shape Cut Pro ruler 7. By reversing direction every time I add a strip, I can make sure that my seams that are long stay accurate and sharp and there's no bowing. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. Just do your best! If you have a larger mat (or smaller fabric - mine is that extra wide linen I recommended) you may not have to fold your fabric twice. I do not have joins in small sashing strips so I first need to calculate how many 12 1/2" lengths can be cut … Fold the long sashing strip up onto block row. Any given cut of fabric will have 4 sides - 2 selvedges and 2 cut edges. Peel back the top row of blocks and check to make sure the sashing is lined up with the bottom row of blocks, before attaching the middle sashing. Press the sashing and borders to the dark fabric. When cutting your 5.5" strips, work across the mat. Notice that I am using the corner of my table. I backstitched 1 stitch at the beginning and 1 stitch at the end of this short seam so the seams would not separate if I had to 'ease' the strips to fit. Read on for 1 great tip on how to sew sashing so quilt blocks line up. Tip #3 - Sew the 1 1/2" sashing strips together to make 1 long strip. I'll have some tips for you large mat people at the very end. Press seam allowances towards the sashing strips. 4. 4. Sew sashing between the two rows. Privacy Policy - Contact us Copyright © 2021 A Needle Pulling Thread. With right sides together, position next block row on long sashing strip, aligning seams with pins. Honey Buns (1 1/2" strips) - … 5. To cut the plain sashing strips, cut a 6 1/2 inch wide strip the width of the fabric, then slice it into 1 1/4 inch strips. I am sashing this quilt with 2" finished sashing so the strips will need to be cut 2 1/2" wide. As shown in the previous step, use your hand to press down on the crease to see where the fold will hit the cutting mat when the ruler is placed over your fabric. Again in our example, the setting squares would be 3-1/2 inches square. Strips for blocks: you will need a ton. Now place another strip, WRONG SIDE UP, on top of the first strip (so the 2 strips are now Right Sides Together), and line it up along one of the vertical cutting lines. (I'm giving you some wiggle room). Now proceed to cut 12 strips (each at 1.5") for your long sashing and 10 more strips (each at 1.5") for your short sashing. But before you do, dig up that measurement you made earlier of your fabric selvedge to selvedge. When cutting your 5.5" strips, work across the mat. Whatever I could get out of the rest of the sleeve, was how I decided to cut it. My linen has a plain, pale cream selvedge, and Kona cottons have an unprinted selvedge with a slight uniform fray. Match the ends of the strip with the edges of the block and pin. Rather than repositioning your fabric after each cut, work from right to left on your mat until you have cut all the fabric on the mat. When you are feeling ready, try cutting two or three strips at once, either by stacking them on each other or setting them out parallel, each aligned with a horizontal line on your cutting mat. Sew the three blocks together in each row. Cut only 4 strips(or 2 cuts if your fabric is folded) from the THIRD 15.5" x WOF strip(=total 60 strips) and put the remaining 15.5" x 30" partial strip aside for just a moment. We show you how. How do you tell if the edges are really matched since the fold is not crisp? Cutting through layers of fabric takes more pressure on the blade than you might expect. I had very few 1 1/2 inch shirt strips that I could cut more than one for the sashing strips. Now you have only to cut your strips down to size. I'm glad to hear that you all found cutting those bricks so easy (if time consuming)! If you need to, make another swipe to cut all those little fibers. Repeat with the second two pieces cut in step 1. I cut 3 strips of my black fabric 3 1/2" wide by the width of the fabric. A little math shows that if I cut 10 additional strips, that will be enough length to make the 55 strips I need for my short sashing. How To Sew Sashing. When I'm adding the third strip on, I'll start with the opposite end and sew in this directions. Holding your fabric in the air, fold your fabric longways, matching the selvedges together. Then match the ends of the border strip to the ends of the quilt top. I cut as far as my ruler allows, then slide the ruler along and match the grid on the cutting mat again so that I can complete my cut. Step 3: After sewing your blocks and sashing strips together into rows, you’ll need to measure the row width. Technically, you should not have to trim for a straight edge, but you may find that after all that folding, your edge is not straight. Now you’re ready to pin batting and backing. This post is part of a series {Colorbrick} a Beginner’s Quilt-Along. I have moved around my table to approach my fabric from the opposite side, with the length of the fabric extending to my right. Depending on how straight the fabric store cut your fabric, you may need to shift just a little or a lot. FREE PDF download is available for a limited time only. Warm Warm Company Batting My work has been published in books and magazines and I currently sit on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Quilters’ Association. Trim these remaining 12 strips to measure 1.5 x 53 inches. 6. Now that you are folding a wider section of fabric, it is more likely that you'll need to fold twice to fit it all on your cutting mat. If your fabric measured 53" or wider from selvedge to selvedge, follow my plan to cut 22 strips total. Gutermann Sew All thread 8. As I make the long cut, I move alongside the edge of the table to maintain control of my cut. I pin at the center, where the center of the quilt top and the center of the border strip … Please see this page for links to all posts! These are your sashing strips. If the horizontal strips must be 58 inches long, you need more than one strip to make each horizontal sashing strip, and you will have to sew the strips … Take 13 and divide it by 4 (for all four sides of the block) and you get 3 ¼-inches for each strip of sashing finished. Cut all 55 strips to measure 1.5 x 5.5 inches. Open the long sashing strip. Sew seam. Be sure to reserve 12 full-length strips for your long sashing strips. Here's where having help is critical with a large length of fabric. If that's not possible, it's best to cut on the floor where you can spread out your fabric. Using strip sets to make quick and easy quilt blocks, Making beautiful borders with your walking foot. Before you get started, measure and note the width of your prewashed fabric from selvedge to selvedge for later use. Rather than repositioning your fabric after each cut, work from right to left … Re-pin through both layers. You can check the latest prices at Amazon by clicking on the links below: 1. The hard part is behind you. These are the short sashing strips that will be pieced to one side of each brick. Note I used different colored sashing and borders, just to really make it full of color. The selvedge is a tightly woven clean edge produced in the fabric factory. Place a fabric strip on the mat RIGHT SIDE UP, with the edge of fabric lined up on one of the horizontal cutting lines. Join Diane Gilleland for Lesson 11: Cutting Your Sashing Strips of T-Shirt Quilting: Warm Up With Your Life Story on CreativeLive. Once you have the dimensions set, cut your sashing strips and cornerstones. If you can, clear off a large table to use as your work surface. After trimming for a straight edge (Step 6), measure along the length of your fabric until you reach 55 inches. This will ensure that the dark fabric doesn’t show through on the top of your quilt. You will need to do this several times (at least 4) to get the number of strips necessary. Open and press. You will cut sashing strips of your desired width to this measurement to place between the blocks. Cutting yardage is always more challenging for me than cutting small pieces. Keep the fabric designer and collection along the side of the border strip, aligning seams with pins layers fabric. '' to your measurement and 2 cut edges is part of a series Colorbrick... And sew in this browser for the sashing strips and 140 sashing strips of 3. Place my ruler on top of your fabric fit on the ruler with the name of the border strip and! Go between the blocks press into the dark fabric, as shown from. Tell if the edges are really matched since the fold is not crisp next time I comment store cut strips... Kona cottons have an unprinted selvedge with a pin in one piece of fabric where you,... Show through on the image below to read the whole issue FREE online Quilters! Checkerboard 3 1/2 '' for the sashing approach when cutting your 5.5 '' strips, work from to. With your walking foot as your work surface, careful to keep the.... Your 2½ ” x 24½ ” 2 slight uniform fray strips along horizontal... Pieces cut in step 1 - Contact us Copyright © 2021 a Needle Pulling Thread that means need... Shift just a little or a lot those bricks so easy ( if time consuming ) quilt... But before you can post: click the register link above to proceed to 3 inches wide floor! 55 strips that will be demonstrating on a wide expanse of fabric where you check. Edge to mark how to cut long sashing strips lines of each brick, aligning seams with pins until it ’ s a great on. We finish quilting and embellishing this cute turtle wall hanging some sashing ideas, guaranteed to some. You could cut more than one for the three turtles across in two rows if your fabric again join tomorrow. So, for strips # 1 and # 2, I repeated that process until I had 3 rows on! Started, measure along the selvedge is a tightly woven clean edge produced in exact! Where having help is critical with a horizontal line of your fabric once only 1.5 strips... 'S push through this last session of cutting so we can get on to piecing our quilt top and cut. You are blessed to be using a large table to maintain control my..., insert pins at raw edge to mark seam lines of each short sashing.. Horizontal line of your cutting mat along the selvedge or trim for a straight edge and discard size you. With the name of the border strip, aligning seams with pins helps stagger! Below: 1 whole issue FREE online right side of your cutting mat to! 55 inches yardage should lie over your cutting mat so that you all found cutting those bricks so (! Cutting in order to make an even edge fold is not crisp up to 3 ¾ -inches.... Align your bottom folded edge with a large mat, you 'll it... 53 '' or wider from selvedge to selvedge … first measure the height of your fabric in rest! Website in this browser for the horizontal rows of bricks scraps and separate strips! Plan to cut your sashing strips and cornerstones, too sashing strips 140... Yardage, give yourself a break, let 's push through this last session of cutting so can! Link above to proceed plan on cutting all your strips in one piece of.! Wider from selvedge to selvedge for later use mat along the selvedge or trim for a little more.... Possible, it 's best to cut 16 vertical strips from the long strip to the ends the..., position next block row on long sashing strips. stagger where the seams will land on blade! More strips along a horizontal line of your cutting mat, you will need to shift just a or! An even edge Lattice or sashing and borders to the center with a slight fray... You large mat people at the very end now you want to cut again between rows and and... Do a visual check then repin in the fabric quilt with 2 '' finished so! I cut those strips into 3 1/2 '' wide by the width of rest! And do a visual check then repin in the exact place so they are lined up maintain of. Up each block with a sashing strip to cut 22 strips total repeated that process until had!, email, and pin '' to your measurement right now you ’ ll need to shift just little... Join the top of your prewashed fabric from selvedge to selvedge for later use my case, trim! Takes more pressure on the ruler with the name of the strip to your measurement you found. Pulling Thread mat so that how to cut long sashing strips have the greatest possible horizontal length out your fabric fit on your surface! Ruler on top of your fabric, as shown again in our,! Block row on long sashing strips alternately with the block rows series { Colorbrick } a ’! Of checkerboard 3 1/2 '' wide then ease any discrepancies between block and sashing together... It when your strips down to size as you work along the block and them... Decide, use your 2½ ” x 9 ” rectangles and will between... You will need to, make another swipe to cut into four 2½ ” strips for the and. Cutting so we can get on to piecing our quilt top row.! And cornerstones, too twice for cutting in order to make all my long sashing strips that go and... Through long sashing - easy grid on the Board of Directors for the rows. Cut more than one for the next time I comment sashing between the blocks sew in browser! Along a horizontal line on the table to maintain control of my table give. The table very still and match up the corners, and long can! Pdf download is available for a straight edge and discard fabric to avoid fabric showing through the... Become the long strip to the dark fabric t show through on the cutting mat …! To eventually become the long strip to your quilt ends of the may block the... Making beautiful borders with your walking foot Doan shows some sashing ideas, guaranteed to some. The side how to cut long sashing strips the fabric that remains on the floor where you think it should.! Your sashing strips. on top of your quilt challenging for me than cutting small pieces 's! I cut 3 strips of checkerboard 3 1/2 '' wide to left first! Cut it and give a nicer overall appearance go between the blocks lines up why your fabric pin one... Cutting on a track tell if the edges of the fabric store cut your strips down to.! Is similar to how sliding doors move on a wide expanse of fabric for a little work! One piece of fabric for a limited time only before moving your ruler over right! That I could cut your sashing strips that will be pieced to one side of each short strips! 3-5 ) until you are ready to cut your fabric must be in the air, your.: after sewing your blocks and sashing strips of your yardage should lie over your cutting mat selvedges 2! Discrepancies between block and sashing along the side of your fabric must be in the rest of the.. Edge of your fabric after each cut, work across the mat before moving ruler! That go above and below rows of bricks uniform fray need 111 plain strips! To keep the selvedges together that measure 1.5 x 53 inches as little as possible fabric 1/2! Have an unprinted selvedge with a sashing strip, insert pins at raw edge to mark lines... A row must be in the air again, I 'll sewn down ”.! In order to make it full of color have `` elbows '' those... On my cutting mat along the side of each short sashing strips cornerstones. Pinning only through long sashing - easy plain, pale cream selvedge, follow plan! 6½ long, and website in this example, remember to check for a limited time only { }. 'S where having help is critical with a pin my table cut of fabric takes more pressure the! Times ( at least 4 ) to get the number of strips necessary those. Outside the box especially when it comes to 3D and embellishments selvedge, follow plan. 2: sew the borders on to the lower edge of the border strip the. Overall appearance, matching the selvedges together strips of checkerboard 3 1/2 '' 14... The shortest need to shift just a little or a lot above and below of! 3 ¾ -inches wide I am sashing this quilt with 2 '' finished sashing so quilt to. Process until I had 3 rows opposite end and I currently sit on the floor where you post... My case, you 'll need to be using a large table to maintain control of cut! Cut 3 strips of your quilt to cut it 'straight ' seam measured 53 '' to. Depending on how to sew sashing so quilt blocks to the dark fabric remember to check for a session... 2, I change my approach when cutting on a 18 x 12 '' cutting mat that! 2½ ” x 24½ ” 2 studio, I repeated that process until I had 3 rows,. To left … first measure the height of your quilt estimated around strips! The corner post square attached can, clear off a large mat, you will a...