page 112, or try making the popular Log
Cabin block (see page 113). Your ‘quilt
setting’ is simply the way you will arrange
the various elements of your quilt top.
Once you’ve got to grips with a few basic
options you’ll find you can combine
blocks, borders and sashing in endless
new ways to beautiful effect. Here’s a
quick rundown of the options available...
we’ve included some diagrams below
to show you each one in action.
Start simple: You don’t have to make
up a quilt top entirely from either plain
patchwork squares or blocks. Why not
mix and match? Once you’ve got the
hang of making and piecing together
blocks, try adding a basic border. To
finish, add binding around the edges.
Double up: Why stick to one border
when you could have two? Adding two
borders gives the effect of framing the
central patchwork pieces. Here we’ve
mixed two different types of block and
set them with two straight borders –
one narrow darker fabric to ‘frame’ the
patchwork, and a wider outer border.
Add sashing: Borders aren’t the only
way to help your blocks stand out from
across the room. Adding narrow strips of
fabric sashing in between your block rows
is another way to break up intricate block
patterns and fabrics and help your
patchwork pieces shine a bit more.
Get to the point: As your skills improve
you can play around with the different
features of your quilt top – learn new
patchwork blocks, experiment with
Make sure your blocks are all
the same finished size, so the quilt
top will fit together wellsashing, or even tilt your designs
45-degrees so they are ‘on point’.
Rotating each block by 90-degrees
can also work well for selected designs.HOw to add
a basic border
A straight-edge border made from a
single fabric is one of the easiest types
of borders with which to frame your
blocks. First measure your quilt top along
the height. Cut two strips of fabric to this
measurement times by the width you
want the finished border to be.
Remember that your width should
include two ¼in seam allowances.
Pin and sew both border strips, one
on each side of the quilt top using ¼in
seam allowances.Press the seams outwards, towards
the edge of the quilt.Measure the quilt again, this time
across the width, including the two
borders you’ve just sewn on. Cut two
strips of fabric to this measurement times
by the same width as before (including
seam allowances). Pin and sew the strips
to the top and bottom of the quilt top.
Press the seams outwards.Measure and trim if necessary to keep
all corners right-angled.Next steps: Turn the page for our
step-by-step guides to adding sashing
in between your rows of blocks and
cornerstones to your borders.ADDING A BASIC BORDER05 06 07 08