Cindy2sew

Happy Holidays!

I am in the final stages of adding an outside sashing and then border to my quilt. On the sashing (40 x 66) 1 1/2 width strips, I will have to piece 2 strips together to make to length obviously. My question is how to piece them together. Would i sew them together in a diagonal as in making a binding or straight? What is your opinion? Inquiring old minds would love to know.

Thanks,

Cindy in TN

DebraK

either way works. Diagonal takes a smidge more fabric.

dunster

The diagonal join is used when it will be less noticeable than a straight join. Either way is fine. You probably won't notice the join after the quilting is finished.

nativetexan

for an outside sashing I tend to do a straight seam and have it fit next to a seam in a pieced block if possible.

NJ Quilter

For me it would depend on the fabric design. If it's very directional or large scale, you might want to do a straight seam in order for it to be less noticeable. If it's a busy, all-over print I would think either way would be just peachy.

Tartan

For me it depends on how I am going to do the corners of the sashing. If I plan to miter the corners, I do diagonal joins so the ends all look the same. If I plan to sew the sashing ends one over the other in straight lines, I do a straight join.
I have on occasion added a piece of the blocks into the border to disguise the join and to continue the design off the edge of the quilt to add movement.

MacThayer

Either is fine. I prefer the diagonal because I think it just looks a little more "polished".

Jan in VA

Me, too. I've never actually understood the "diagonal doesn't show" thing. A seam is a seam to my eye.

Jan in VA

Jingle

I like the diagonal join, press open the seam and lays very flat. Whatever works for you is the way you should do it.

bigsister63

If the border is fairly narrow such as 1 1/2" - 2" then I do the diaginal. If the border is wider then I do straight seam since it takes less fabric. I have found that either is really not noticible when quilt is finished and quilted. It can also depend on the fabric pattern. I would do straight on a stripe but others makes no difference. I know someone who matched the pattern on the fabric and does straight.(too much work for me) I can see no difference if pattern is not matched. When I do straight I try not to match the seam to a seam on a block since I think that it makes the seam more noticible. Remenber there are no Quilt Police!!!!!