Do you pre sash your blocks??

[Judy M.]

I have been watching my fons and porter dvds... they show a technique where they PRE SASH blocks before sewing them into rows and / or columns. I had always sewn large / long strips of fabrics after I had sewn by blocks together... I guess this is an old fashion method of sashing / sewing blocks together.

What method do you find best to sew the columns and rows together to avoid long seams. My seams seem to get crooked the longer they are.


What way do you sew your blocks together? What is your favorite method of sashing your blocks? Any tips on this technique would be appreciated.

[karen f.]

I have always sewn my sashings on in one long row in the past. Recently I did their way and am a believer. I think it was more managable and I was maybe a bit more accurate in my seams too. Karen

[karen f.]

I've tried both methods and prefer to pre-sash for a few reasons. First, long sashes require pre-planning to ensure that you have enough fabric to be cut lengthwise where there will be less stretching. Secondly, it's easier to align your rows and columns with pre-sashing--with pre-sashing I sew the blocks together in a four patch method, rather than in long rows or columns. Each method gives you a different look. I like using cornerstones to break up the sashings. Cornerstones allow for additional design opportunities.

[Barbara C.]

I just glanced at your topic LadyRags and thought you said.... Do you sass your blocks! ops:

Thanks for posting this. I think it's a good idea!

Barbara

[Keith D.]

I don't know about you guys, but I pre-sass every piece of fabric that I'm considering working with. Unless I'm intimidated by it...

[Paula D.]

If you want one long continuous sass (LOL) you can't pre-sass. If you have cornerstones at every intersection, how can you NOT pre-sass. (Like they say in weight watchers, If not now, when?) :?

[Jill B.]

Thanks for this suggestion Ladyrags and the replys, I also used the long strips method, BUT I will now go the pre-sash as it all makes perfect sense.

Jill Australia

[Keith D.]

There is something nice about long, uninterrupted sashing for wonderful quilting though... Whether it's sassed into behaving or not. =)

[pigtailpat]

Sorry to bring up a long abandoned post, but this is applicable to what I am doing.

Is there a way to pre-sash only the middle sashings for the top row, so that the top sashing on the top row is unbroken by seams (ie a long strip applied)?

I am following a quilt pattern for a charity quilt that calls for pre-sashing the blocks, however, the fabric I am using for the sashing is very light in color. Using the pre-sash method, the bottom row will result in a long unbroken sash strip, which is great. But, the top, as shown in the pattern, will result in a pieced top sash.

So, I guess my question is, can I do a combination of pre-sash and old way - just for the top part of the sashing, but everything else would be pre-sashed?

No cornerstones in this sashing. Just continuous same fabric strips..............

Thanks!

Pat

[Eileen K.]

Anna, how I do my sashings depends on the blocks. It the sashing is going to be very thin, I'll pre-sash. If they're 2 inches or bigger, I do the long pieces. I have to say that I do pin the daylights out of it before I sew.

[Geneva C.]

Pat, Unless the Quilt Police are watching your house day and night, I think you can sass anyway you want! It's your quilt, you are the artist. And Keith, fabric that intimidates me is only for petting..... ops:

[Geneva C.]

Pat of course you can combine these two techniques. Usually when I pre sash, I add the sashing to the right side and the bottom of each block. If I want to pre-sash the whole quilt, then I add the left sash to the first left block also. All the top row blocks also get the top sash.

If I want long strips on the outer edges of the center, I do this instead:
Start with your first top left block and presash the right side and bottom, continue that row the same way, but on the far right last block on the first row, do not do the right side sash, only the bottom sash. Repeat for all rows. But on the last row, do not sash the bottoms at all. Now when you sew these rows together, they will be all pre-sashed in the centers, but not on the top, left side, right side or bottom. Then you can add those last 4 as long strips.

Clear as mud??

[pigtailpat]

Michelle - thanks so much for those directions! I consulted the charity group's lead person, and I understand why she wanted to pre-sash this pattern, for better matching of the pattern, but, the outer edges could be un-pre-sashed (is that a word - LOL) for an easier time in terms of the quilting (sometimes I like as little seams as possible - other times I like many seams - I can't make up my mind - depends on the pattern and look that strikes me at the time). I am going to be printing your instructions and saving them to my little book of quilting tips.

Pat