GrammaNan

I am doing a small quilt and using sashing for the first time. I thought I cut out the sashing perfectly, I squared up my blocks perfectly and when I sewed the sashing on... It looks wonky. Can anyone give me tips on how to have it look even? I looked for a tutorial here but came up empty. I found one Youtube tutorial but it didn't make sense to me. I will appreciate your tips and advice.

nativetexan

well, if the sashing is going onto the sides of your blocks, it should fit. match center and ends. pin if necessary and sew. If you are doing long sashings cut the size of a row of blocks, you actually do the same. match centers, ends and pin, pin, pin. then sew. perhaps starching your fabric might help and don't pull it as you go. this should help you prevent it from getting wonky. Good luck.

PaperPrincess

Are you using cornerstones? I find it difficult to line up my rows without them, although I know it's possible!
Here's a couple of tutorials from the board:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...es-t43921.html
...
http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...s-t182922.html

Tartan

Wonky in what way? I like to add the sashing to the sides of the blocks and then a full piece across the quilt width wise if the quilts is less than 45 inches wide. If the quilt is wider than 45 inches, I cut sashing down the length of the fabric and do full pieces lengthwise. I like to use cornerstones whenever possible because you don't have to worry about full length pieces of sashing. Use lots of pins to keep the blocks and sashing from traveling. Be especially careful not to stretch the seams as well.

margee

Boy, am I glad to know that I'm not the only one that has had this problem. Good luck to you.
margee

GrammaNan

The tutorial was very helpful. I think I will do cornerstones next time, this has been stressful and quilting should be fun. Thanks to all for your responses and margee, I am also glad that I am not the only one with the problem. I think I will go downstairs and try again.

Lori S

I prefer to you sashing strip cut to the lengthwise grain of the fabric.. It helps it from going wonky.

sewwhat85

i agree with the cornerstones making it easier to match up sashing

GingerK

If I am not using cornerstones, I take the time to mark my distances on the long piece of sashing. I found that my sewing machine could disort the upper fabric quite a bit over six feet or so. Now, I mark the size of the block, the width of the sashing, the size of the next block etc, pin pin pin and double check that everything lies flat before starting to sew.

judith ann

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSBUVro0wFc
This helped me.judy j