Cutting Sashing for blocks made by many others

[Jules M.]

In 2009 I was president of my local guild. The "thank you" gift for an outgoing president is that the members make a block of the president's choice in her colors.

I'm finally ready to put my quilt together. The blocks are to finish at 10" but MANY are only 10 1/4" at this stage instead of 10 1/2". I'm going to use sashing & corner posts. Do I just cut the sashing strips at 10 1/4" or cut them 10 1/2" and "make" them fit or sew them with the block having more like an 1/8" seam instead of the full 1/4"?

Any suggestions? Thanks!!

[Margo C.]

These videos may help for shrinking or stretching a block:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6aplw_tVZc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIjZqABo2NY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQkF02vpVuw

[Jules M.]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQkF02vpVuw

Yes, the last one is what I suppose I'll need to do. *sigh* Thanks for the links!

[Jules M.]

I didn't watch Margo's youtube links so this may be redundant...

When I have blocks that differ like your do, I like to frame the blocks with a round of fabrics. I cut those framing strips wider than I really want them to be. Then I trim them all down to a consistant size. They act like coping strips... So for instance, I might want the frames to finish at 1". I'd cut them 2" wide and sew them to all the blocks. If the blocks should be 10" then with a 1" frame all around they should be 12" -- well unfinished they'd be 12 1/2"... I then trim all the blocks down to 12 1/2" . The blocks that are a smidge too small will have that framing a smidge wider, but overall it is not noticeable. Then you can add your sashing and cornerstones with no problems. Works a charm!

Hope this makes sense.

[Jules M.]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQkF02vpVuw

Yes, the last one is what I suppose I'll need to do. *sigh* Thanks for the links!

I would double check any seams on the edge are locked off before stretching. Also I would be tempted to leave the stretched block over night, but that is your choice.

[Jules M.]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQkF02vpVuw

Yes, the last one is what I suppose I'll need to do. *sigh* Thanks for the links!

I would double check any seams on the edge are locked off before stretching. Also I would be tempted to leave the stretched block over night, but that is your choice.

I'm sure the seams are not locked and it is an album block (I think Chimney Sweep) so LOTS of seams at the edges. I'll have to watch that closely -- good point!

AND... if I have 50 blocks to fix (just guessing) that will be quite long in drying. Sharon suggested drying the block w/ an iron. I'm not uber-picky but closer to size will be better!

[Marion D.]

If you don't want to work that hard, offset the blocks so that it looks like brickwork. Then put all the 10" blocks in their one rows and the 10 1/4 inch blocks in their own rows.

[Marion D.]

If you don't want to work that hard, offset the blocks so that it looks like brickwork. Then put all the 10" blocks in their one rows and the 10 1/4 inch blocks in their own rows.

Sneaky! I like it 8)

[Jules M.]

It is on point and I'm going to try to just arrange so the colors are not clumped together or such. I requested brown & cream but "brown" varies quite a bit!!

[Jules M.]

SHARON CRAIG has a series of books... GREAT SETS ..... being one of the most recent... the books deals with working with group/ exchange blocks ... how to square them up ... how to set them... size discrepancies. She had some novel and effective ways of dealing with the exchange blocks.

Our group usually gives a yard or so of the back ground fabric with the blocks to allow the giftee to blend her blocks together.

Nonnie,


.

[Marion D.]

Offset blocks might still work.

Are you having color issues also?

[Jules M.]

Offset blocks might still work.

Are you having color issues also?

No I'll be OK with the colors. I have my sashings, corner posts, & border fabrics already and am sort of dying to cut into them! I'm holding off until I figure out the block sizes.

The blocks have many seams so I don't think it will take much to stretch them. Just haven't gotten to it w/ putting the binding on another quilt and hosting a birthday party for my FIL and his lifelong friend!

[Jules M.]

Ohmygoodness -- this stretching method is the B*MB!! I love it!! I might just do this to every stinkin' block I make for the rest of my life!!

I have a large pressing surface I made so set up 3 outline templates and have a block in each stage of pinning & drying as I work. LOVE THIS!!! ((((hearts))))

[Margo C.]

Ohmygoodness -- this stretching method is the B*MB!! I love it!! I might just do this to every stinkin' block I make for the rest of my life!!

I have a large pressing surface I made so set up 3 outline templates and have a block in each stage of pinning & drying as I work. LOVE THIS!!! ((((hearts))))

[Catherine S.]

Joyce, please show us the quilt when you are finished. It sounds like you will have it done in no time.