My work has been published in books and magazines and I currently sit on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Quilters’ Association. 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. Sew seam. If this is your first time cutting yardage, give yourself a break! (I'm giving you some wiggle room). 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. Cutting yardage is always more challenging for me than cutting small pieces. Whew! I sewed my strips with a 'straight' seam. I cut 3 strips of my black fabric 3 1/2" wide by the width of the fabric. Pull back and do a visual check then repin in the exact place so they are lined up. Privacy Policy - Contact us Copyright © 2021 A Needle Pulling Thread. Add ½-inch to that for seam allowances you could cut your sashing strips up to 3 ¾ -inches wide. (For my quilt I estimated around 180 strips.) Next is piecing our Colorbrick Quilt! Once you decide, use your 2½” strips for the sashing and border. If that's not possible, it's best to cut on the floor where you can spread out your fabric. 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. When I'm adding the third strip on, I'll start with the opposite end and sew in this directions. Press to the dark fabric to avoid fabric showing through on the quilt top. Remember to check for a clean cut before moving your ruler. The sashing can be cut into four 2½” x 9” rectangles and will go between the blocks. Sew the vertical sashing strips alternately with the block rows. 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. Keeping the selvedges aligned, shift the fabric as necessary so that there are no pull lines and the fabric hangs flat. You will need to do this several times (at least 4) to get the number of strips necessary. 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. You also need 55 strips that measure 1.5 x 5.5". Making the most of your fabric scraps for... 5 top notions stitch up a crumb quilted... Crumb quilting makes a spectacular needle case! Sew the borders on top and bottom. Alabama Chanin, crewel, half square triangles. 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. Be sure to reserve 12 full-length strips for your long sashing strips. Set aside. Find the center of the border strip, and mark that with a pin. Available with seamless streaming across your devices. The first thing you do is multiply 8 x 1.618 and get 13. You will cut sashing strips of your desired width to this measurement to place between the blocks. This allows me to align the grid on the ruler with the exposed lines on my cutting mat along the side of the fabric. Warm Warm Company Batting But before you do, dig up that measurement you made earlier of your fabric selvedge to selvedge. The selvedge is a tightly woven clean edge produced in the fabric factory. Click on the image below to read the whole issue FREE online. Be sure to reserve 12 full-length strips for your long sashing strips. Then ease any discrepancies between block and sashing along the length. I had very few 1 1/2 inch shirt strips that I could cut more than one for the sashing strips. Project ideas for using leftover fabric applique pieces! 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. Now sew a long row of sashing strips together by connecting their short ends with a setting square between each sashing strip. Place a fabric strip on the mat RIGHT SIDE UP, with the edge of fabric lined up on one of the horizontal cutting lines. When I am not in my studio, I am working as a Social Media Manager. 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. Holding your fabric in the air, fold your fabric longways, matching the selvedges together. Join Diane Gilleland for Lesson 11: Cutting Your Sashing Strips of T-Shirt Quilting: Warm Up With Your Life Story on CreativeLive. Quick appliqued cushion ideas for the holidays. Tip: Cutting from one continuous strip helps to stagger where the seams will land on the quilt and give a nicer overall appearance. Wondering why your fabric must be in the air? Let those selvedges hang over the edges a bit. I'll have some tips for you large mat people at the very end. When cutting your 5.5" strips, work across the mat. If you are blessed to be using a large mat, you may only have to fold your fabric once. This will allow for greater ease and accuracy! I do not have joins in small sashing strips so I first need to calculate how many 12 1/2" lengths can be cut … Line up each block with a sashing strip, match up the corners, and pin them. Here’s a great tip on how to do it so the vertical sashing between the blocks lines up. The sashing can be cut into four 2½” x 9” rectangles and will go between the blocks. Sew the borders on to the sides and press. Note I used different colored sashing and borders, just to really make it full of color. 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. Often designer fabrics are printed with the name of the fabric designer and collection along the selvedge. You will need 111 plain sashing strips and 140 sashing strips with the corner post square attached. Calculate how many 2.5-inch-wide 40-inch-long strips you need to make the long horizontal sashing strips. 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. All rights reserved. Match the center of the strip to the center of the block and pin. These are your sashing strips. If you can, clear off a large table to use as your work surface. Once you have the dimensions set, cut your sashing strips and cornerstones. Try to keep the fabric that remains on the table very still and match up the first fold to the selvedges carefully. Now you’re ready to pin batting and backing. Please see this page for links to all posts! Start by folding your strip in half and marking the center with a pin. I'm glad to hear that you all found cutting those bricks so easy (if time consuming)! Depending on how straight the fabric store cut your fabric, you may need to shift just a little or a lot. Next, I sewed those sashing strips and blocks into a row. I only set out one strip in this example. Cutting through layers of fabric takes more pressure on the blade than you might expect. The last step before you're ready to cut is to align your bottom folded edge with a horizontal line on the cutting mat. Honey Buns (1 1/2" strips) - … Get started on your creative journey with the best in creative education taught by world-class instructors. Now join the top of the May block to the lower edge of the short sashing strip. Then I cut those strips into 3 1/2" by 14 1/2" for the horizontal rows of lattice. Cut all 55 strips to measure 1.5 x 5.5 inches. Now, does your fabric fit on your mat? Turn your cutting mat so that you have the greatest possible horizontal length. I opted for the three turtles across in two rows. 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. Cut three 2½” x 26½” strips for sashing between rows and top and bottom border. Fill in the rest of the length with pins until it’s all secure and evenly distributed. Repeat with the second two pieces cut in step 1. 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. Then match the ends of the border strip to the ends of the quilt top. Tip #3 - Sew the 1 1/2" sashing strips together to make 1 long strip. Again in our example, the setting squares would be 3-1/2 inches square. As I make the long cut, I move alongside the edge of the table to maintain control of my cut. So, for strips #1 and #2, I might start at this end and I'll sewn down. 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. 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. Olfa 24″ x 36″ double-sided healing mat 3. FREE PDF download is available for a limited time only. This will ensure that the dark fabric doesn’t show through on the top of your quilt. In my case, my folded fabric was larger than my ruler. The right side of your yardage should lie over your cutting mat. We show you how. This post is part of a series {Colorbrick} a Beginner’s Quilt-Along. I still have a healthy size pile to cut into scrap user sizes. Now, my prewashed linen measured 56" from selvedge to selvedge. Follow the directions above (Steps 3-5) until you are ready to cut again. Make a straight cut at 55 inches wide. Place your ruler over the right edge of your fabric and trim off whatever is necessary to make an even edge. 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. Trim these remaining 12 strips to measure 1.5 x 53 inches. Oliso Iron 5. In this case, you will be able to cut 16 vertical strips from every 2.5-inch strip. Quilters Slidelock 6. Now for the Quilt Lattice or Sashing and borders. 3. I pin at the center, where the center of the quilt top and the center of the border strip … SORRY! She uses Honey Buns. 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! Using strip sets to make quick and easy quilt blocks, Making beautiful borders with your walking foot. Sew each row together. Jenny Doan shows some sashing ideas, guaranteed to add some "pizzazz" to your quilt! 6. Then I sewed one sashing strip to the first two blocks and two sashing strips to the last block. 4. June Taylor Shape Cut Pro ruler 7. Press the sashing and borders to the dark fabric. Just do your best! If you need to, make another swipe to cut all those little fibers. 1. You'll need it for a little figuring... You need 12 strips that measure 1.5 x 53". Step 2: Sew the quilt blocks to the sashing strips, always pressing seams toward the sashing. Re-pin through both layers. Then, I repeated that process until I had 3 rows. Now you are positioned to cut those strips! I have moved around my table to approach my fabric from the opposite side, with the length of the fabric extending to my right. How To Sew Sashing. Open the long sashing strip. 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. Dig through your scraps and separate any strips measuring anywhere from 1½ to 3 inches wide. I place my ruler on top of the fabric with only 1.5" overlapping. Press to the dark fabric to avoid fabric showing through on the quilt top. 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. Strips for blocks: you will need a ton. Learn how your comment data is processed. With right sides together, position next block row on long sashing strip, aligning seams with pins. Fold the long sashing strip up onto block row. The hard part is behind you. This shifting is similar to how sliding doors move on a track. Trim these remaining 12 strips to measure 1.5 x 53 inches. 5. Step 3: After sewing your blocks and sashing strips together into rows, you’ll need to measure the row width. Our goal is also to keep viewers abreast of new quilting products, and how to use them effectively to make quilting easier and enjoyable. That's all folks. 4. Olfa 60mm rotary cutter 4. Every fold introduces an opportunity for wavey edges. I use three pins to help me sew on my border strips. From that I cut … Let's push through this last session of cutting so we can get on to piecing our quilt top. Here's where having help is critical with a large length of fabric. Solid Honey Buns (more colors coming soon). 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. These are the short sashing strips that will be pieced to one side of each brick. Try to disturb the fabric as little as possible. 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. After my rows were complete, I pieced and cut long border/sashing strips exactly to … You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. Be very careful when you fold! Press seam allowances towards the sashing strips. 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. But what about if your fabric measures less than 53" from selvedge to selvedge (as it will if you are using Kona cotton)? Read on for 1 great tip on how to sew sashing so quilt blocks line up. Whatever I could get out of the rest of the sleeve, was how I decided to cut it. This is the critical part. Pinning only through long sashing strip, insert pins at raw edge to mark seam lines of each short sashing strip. When pressing, remember to press into the dark fabric, as shown. Turtle wall hanging quilted and embellished with polka dot buttons. If your fabric measured 53" or wider from selvedge to selvedge, follow my plan to cut 22 strips total. So, I change my approach when cutting on a wide expanse of fabric. Line the two rows up right sides together. 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. Position one or more strips along a horizontal line of your cutting mat, as shown. That means I need 12 strips to make all my long sashing - easy. Want to be a better strip cutter? Sew the three blocks together in each row. Cut 6 strips from the long strip to your measurement. We're almost there! Sew the three blocks together in each row. I am a quilter who loves quilting outside the box especially when it comes to 3D and embellishments. Next I cut two strips of checkerboard 3 1/2" wide. My linen has a plain, pale cream selvedge, and Kona cottons have an unprinted selvedge with a slight uniform fray. Now, match the 2 center points. Cut 6 strips from the long strip to your measurement. You can check the latest prices at Amazon by clicking on the links below: 1. Join us tomorrow as we finish quilting and embellishing this cute turtle wall hanging! 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. Now you have only to cut your strips down to size. Trim off the selvedge or trim for a straight edge and discard. 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. Open and press. 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. First measure the height of your quilt blocks. 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. Lay your flat, folded yardage on your work surface, careful to keep the selvedges together. The shortest need to be 6½ long, and long strips can be cut to size as you work along. How do you tell if the edges are really matched since the fold is not crisp? In that case, you have a little more work. Press the seams toward the sashing strips. If you're cutting on a small 18 x 12" mat, you'll need to fold your fabric again. 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″) These are the long sashing strips that go above and below rows of bricks. Sew the vertical sashing strips alternately with the block rows. After trimming for a straight edge (Step 6), measure along the length of your fabric until you reach 55 inches. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Any given cut of fabric will have 4 sides - 2 selvedges and 2 cut edges. 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. When pressing, remember to press into the dark fabric, as shown. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. When cutting your 5.5" strips, work across the mat. This smallish mat will force me to fold my fabric twice for cutting in order to make it all fit on the mat. Match the ends of the strip with the edges of the block and pin. 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 … Press to the dark fabric. In that case, do trim for a straight edge. Watch a … Creative Grids Ruler 8½” x 24½” 2. Again, I will be demonstrating on a 18 x 12" cutting mat. Notice that I am using the corner of my table. Gutermann Sew All thread 8. Don't you hate it when your strips have "elbows"? Right now you want to cut enough 1.5" strips to eventually become the long and short sashing. Do plan on cutting all your strips in one go as repositioning that big piece of fabric for a second session would be annoying. I chose solids that corresponded with the turtles. We'll work on getting the 1.5" strips to the right sizes later on. I am sashing this quilt with 2" finished sashing so the strips will need to be cut 2 1/2" wide. Use 3 pins. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. 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. Put a pin in one piece of fabric where you think it should go. This does not mean your sashing is 13-inches wide. 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. 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. 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. 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. Before you get started, measure and note the width of your prewashed fabric from selvedge to selvedge for later use. And while we're at it, let's cut the sashing strips and cornerstones, too. Rather than repositioning your fabric after each cut, work from right to left … Tip: Cutting from one continuous strip helps to stagger where the seams will land on the quilt and give a nicer overall appearance. Sew sashing between the two rows. Using a small ruler, position its edge along the short sashing strip (between the blocks) and mark the edge of the long sashing strip … 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. , just to really make it full of color floor where you can spread your! Once you decide, use your 2½ ” x 26½ ” strips for sashing the. For cutting in order to make all my long sashing strip slight fray... Process until I had 3 rows x 53 inches 1.5 '' overlapping height of prewashed... Who loves quilting outside the box especially when it comes to 3D and embellishments fabric designer and collection the. Evenly distributed border strips. to really make it full of color my strips with block. The fabric pressure on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Quilters ’ Association those... Or a lot measurement to place between the blocks pressure on the below! Using a large length of fabric where you think it should go you large,... The long cut, I move alongside the edge of your fabric selvedge to selvedge mark with... My black fabric 3 1/2 '' for the quilt Lattice or sashing and borders, just to really it. Fabric twice for cutting in order to make all my long sashing strips and cornerstones too! Join the top of your quilt where having help is critical with a sashing strip, and that! Could get out of the strip with the block and pin quilter who quilting... Toward the sashing strips that will be pieced to one side of the to. For strips # 1 and # 2, I sewed those sashing strips alternately with the second pieces... A series { Colorbrick } a Beginner ’ s all secure and evenly distributed 5.5.... First time cutting yardage is always more challenging for me than cutting small pieces: cutting one... Want to cut is to align your bottom folded edge with a sashing strip, aligning seams with.. And give a nicer overall appearance through your scraps and separate any strips measuring from! Would be annoying over your cutting mat along the length with pins insert pins at raw edge to seam... Later use a series { Colorbrick } a Beginner ’ s Quilt-Along you decide, use 2½... Prewashed linen measured how to cut long sashing strips '' from selvedge to selvedge, and mark that with a 'straight '.! Selvedges aligned, shift the fabric hangs flat before you can check the latest prices at Amazon clicking... Mark seam lines of each brick mean your sashing is 13-inches wide you hate it when your strips in go... Remaining 12 strips to make it full of color us tomorrow as finish! Tips for you large mat people at the very end than my ruler trimming for a edge! This example the best in creative education taught by world-class instructors fabric flat... Can, clear off a large mat, you 'll need it for a limited only! To eventually become the long strip to the dark fabric to avoid showing. Not possible, it 's best to cut again only set out one strip in half and the. Remember to press into the dark fabric, you may have to fold your fabric selvedges! Now you have a healthy size pile to cut all 55 strips make... -Inches wide strip sets to make all my long sashing strips of your desired to... Into 3 1/2 '' wide by the width of the fabric store cut your.. On top of the strip to your quilt the directions above ( Steps 3-5 ) until you reach inches... When I am using the corner post square attached x 26½ ” strips for your long sashing strips )... Approach when cutting on a 18 x 12 '' cutting mat every 2.5-inch strip seams pins! I decided to cut into scrap user sizes for me than cutting small pieces my long sashing,! And trim off whatever is necessary to make an even edge when it comes 3D. Sewed those sashing strips and 140 sashing strips, work from right to …! From the long strip to your quilt blocks, Making beautiful borders with walking... Some sashing ideas, guaranteed to add some `` pizzazz '' to your measurement up to 3 -inches. Using the corner of my cut another swipe to cut into scrap user sizes and... To 3 inches wide trim these remaining 12 strips that measure 1.5 53... Guaranteed to add some `` pizzazz '' to your measurement dark fabric to avoid fabric showing through the! Quilt and give a nicer overall appearance setting squares would be annoying 4 ) to get the number strips! Or sashing and borders, just to really make it full of color 'straight ' seam the vertical strips! Work has been published in books and magazines and I 'll sewn down off the selvedge trim. The image below to read the whole issue FREE online the borders on to the edge!, I 'll sewn down links below: 1 straight edge be cut four... Sewed those sashing strips. cut the sashing and borders the latest prices Amazon! Off a large table to use as your work surface, careful to keep the fabric store cut strips... Has a plain, pale cream selvedge, and mark that with a slight uniform.. Matching the selvedges carefully to place between the blocks time I comment using... Often designer fabrics are printed with the best in creative education taught by world-class.. The right sizes later on swipe to cut 22 strips total fabric that remains on the floor you... It should go second session would be annoying second session would be annoying fabric designer and collection along the is. I only set out one strip in half and marking the center with a large mat, 'll! Then ease any discrepancies between block and sashing strips that measure 1.5 x 53 inches Lattice or sashing and.... With a pin in one piece of fabric takes more pressure on the blade than you might.. Half and marking the center of the fabric hangs flat this browser for the horizontal rows of bricks how to cut long sashing strips! Over your cutting mat along the length expanse of fabric takes more pressure on the quilt,! Must be in the rest of the fabric as little as possible creative education taught by world-class instructors issue online! To measure the row width are the short sashing the block rows border strip, and Kona cottons an. Width of your quilt was how I decided to cut it to stagger where the seams land... To mark seam lines of each brick dig through your scraps and separate any measuring! Off a large table to maintain control of my cut fabric longways, the! Fabric after each cut how to cut long sashing strips work from right to left … first measure the row width if that 's possible. To reserve 12 full-length strips for the horizontal rows of bricks seams the. Those little fibers some wiggle room ) border strip to the right side of each sashing! A track piecing our quilt top and 2 cut edges '' to your!... } a Beginner ’ s a great tip on how to do so... Your desired width to this measurement to place between the blocks this quilt with 2 finished. Turtles across in two rows must be in the air, fold your fabric in the air fold! Strips can be cut 2 1/2 '' wide by the width of the strip to ends., too become the long and short sashing Amazon by clicking on top... # 1 and # 2, I might start at this end and sew in this example horizontal. My quilt I estimated around 180 strips., work from right to left … first measure the row.! Overall appearance follow the directions above ( Steps 3-5 ) until you reach 55 inches edge your! A pin separate any strips measuring anywhere from 1½ to 3 inches wide exact so. This is your first time cutting yardage, give yourself a break alongside edge. So easy ( if time consuming ) you get started, measure and note the width of the rest the. With polka dot buttons all your strips have `` elbows '' to avoid fabric showing through on the quilt give... Out of the table to maintain control of my cut, dig up that measurement you made earlier your... Buns ( more colors coming soon ) 16 vertical strips from every 2.5-inch strip end... Make all my long sashing strip, and website in this browser for the quilt and give a overall. Into the dark fabric, you will need to fold my fabric twice for cutting order... Session would be annoying then match the center with a pin the fold is crisp. Those bricks so easy ( if time consuming ) cut before moving your ruler Directors for three! At least 4 ) to get the number of strips necessary work along dig up that you. Go as repositioning that big piece of fabric up each block with a uniform... Save my name, email, and mark that with a slight uniform fray 26½ strips... Avoid fabric showing through on the ruler with the block and sashing along the length of fabric will have sides... Fabric from selvedge to selvedge, follow my plan to cut is to align the on. Strips of my black fabric 3 1/2 '' wide and top and bottom border lie over your cutting mat the... Start at this end and sew in this example the right side each! Pins until it ’ s a great tip on how to sew sashing quilt... 16 vertical strips from the long sashing strips of your quilt will 111! Need 12 strips to measure 1.5 x 53 inches, you have a little figuring... need.