Design Your Quilt

• The first step in making a sashed quilt is to create a design for what you want your finished quilt to look like. Lay out your quilt blocks on a large table or on a clean floor and arrange them to your satisfaction. Another option to determine your quilt’s design is to use computer software specifically created for this purpose. Or, utilize graph paper and colored pencils to draw your design on paper. If your quilt blocks have an intricate design, such as Jelly Roll or Tumbling Blocks, sashing interrupts the design and causes visual distraction, while other quilt block designs, such as Evening Star or Maple Leaf, stand out when sashed.
  
  

Choose Colors

• Sashing is meant to provide a visual break between finished quilt blocks so that you can see each block separately, explains the Ludlow Quilt and Sew website. Choose a sashing color that complements the overall theme of your quilt and the colors contained within the quilt blocks. Your sashing should not compete for visual attention from the blocks. Solid fabric in a neutral tone or in a color incorporated in the design of your blocks, rather than a brightly patterned sashing fabric, will not distract from the beauty of your quilt’s blocks.
  
  

Perpare Sashing

• Based on your quilt design, decide which type of sashing you want to use around your blocks before cutting the fabric. Pieced sashing appears more professional but requires more time to complete. For basic sashing for a 12-inch quilt block, choose your sashing width and add 1/2-inch seam allowance. Cut the length of each sashing strip 12 1/2 inches long. If using pieced sashing, cut the sashing fabric 12 inches long for the strips and cut four, 1 1/2-inch setting squares for each quilt block.
  
  

Sew Sashing

• If using a basic sashing in your quilt, place the right sides of the quilt block and sashing fabric together and sew a sashing strip to each side of the quilt block, using a mitered seam at each corner. Iron each corner and trim the excess fabric so your blocks lie flat. If using pieced sashing, place the right sides of the quilt block and sashing fabric together and sew a sashing strip, then sew a setting square onto the end of the sashing strip, repeating this on all four sides of the block. Mitered corners are not necessary for pieced sashing. Once your blocks are sashed, assemble your quilt top as required in your pattern.