Beginner's Guide To Quilting - UK (2020-04)

106

Working with Blocks

W

hen quilters talk about

sashing (or ‘lattice’ or

‘setting strips’), they mean

the narrow strips of fabric that

separate blocks in a quilt design.

This is an ideal way to add interest to a

quilt, and is also useful if you want to

increase a block’s size. To add plain

sashing to patchwork blocks, first decide

how wide you want your sashing to be.

Generally, it should be wide enough to

complement the blocks without

dominating the design. To help you

decide, lay out the sashing fabric and

place the blocks on top, adjusting the

spacing until you’re happy with the

balance. Measure this gap and add seam

allowances to get the size you want.

Here’s how to add sashing to a four by

four block layout, but it can be simply

scaled up for bigger designs.

MAKE YOUR BLOCKS STAND OUT

WITH THIS NIFTY QUILT TOP TRICK

Sashing

Pin and sew a vertical sashing strip to the

right-hand side of each of the first four

blocks, using ¼in seams. Sew a strip to the

left-hand side of the first block. Press seams

towards the sashing. This is the first row.

Repeat with the other three rows. All four

sashed rows should be the same length.

Cut long strips to this length. For a four by

four block layout you’ll need five strips.

Pin and sew a long sashing strip to the

top of each row, again using ¼in seams.

Press seams towards the sashing. Sew the

last strip to the bottom of the last row.

3

2

4

Measure the block and cut a sashing strip

so it’s the same height as the block. For an

8in block, cut a sashing strip 8in high by

1½in wide. For each row of blocks cut a

sashing strip for each block, plus one extra.

1

Sashing

strip

Block

Beginner’s Guide to Quilting