Needed:
- Blocks as required for the completed size of the project
Accent fabric for sashing
Matching thread
Tools needed:
- Cutting mat and rotary cutter
Tape measure
Large head straight pins
Scissors
Sewing machine
Determine the width of the fabric to be cut for the sashing. A strip cut 2 1/2 inches wide will yield a 2 inch sash. The sashing on the blue Dresden Plate above is 2 inches. The width of the sashing can vary with the size of the project. A wall hanging might have a 1 inch sash and border. If you want a queen size quilt, the sashing can be much wider.
Fold the fabric, edges even, and trim off the selvage. Cut across grain enough strips to sash the entire project. Some of the strips may need to be sewn together ( at right angles to make a diagonal joining) to be long enough for the cross pieces.
We will first join a row of blocks horizontally. Measure several of the blocks at the center vertically to get an average measurement which we will use as the length of the fabric to go between these blocks. Remember from earlier articles that the sides may have some stretch so we want to measure at the center of the block. Cut the sashing this length. Lay the blocks out and carefully pin a strip to the right edge of block one. Ease the strip to fit as you sew it to the block.
Continue by pinning block two to the right edge of the sashing strip on block one, again easing to fit. Continue this process until the first row of blocks is sashed and joined.
Complete the sashing on all rows. Press seams.
Measure across the rows in the center. Get an average measurement and cut sashing to this length.
Pin the cross sashing to the bottom of row one. Find the center of the sashing strip and the center of the row of blocks. Pin. Then again find the center of each half section and pin. Ease the strip to fit the row of blocks as you sew them together. Press seam.
Now, comes the tricky part. We want the vertical sashing of the next row of blocks to be EXACTLY even with the first row.
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