This is it, the final chapter, where everything comes together. Now you can savour finishing your quilt top, stand back and admire all your hard work. I have had fun putting this project together with you all and I hope you have enjoyed our sew-along and that your stash is a little smaller as a result.
Stash Buster Sew Along: Quilt Assembly
Finished Size Approx. 54″ x 68″ (Unfinished 54-1/2″ x 68-1/2″)
Now you have finished all your blocks it’s time to turn them into a quilt top. You could just stitch all your blocks together, matching your points as you go, add backing, batting and bind it if you wish. It is really up to you how you finish your quilt, but I’m going to show you what I did with my quilt blocks.
I added sashing strips, cornerstones and two borders to make up my quilt. If you do the same this will mean buying a little more fabric unless you are lucky enough to have something suitable in your stash!
Quilt sashing strips are used to frame each of your quilt blocks. They are a fabulous way of adding another dimension to your quilt. Using a contrasting colour can make your sampler quilt blocks stand out but if you use the same colour for your strips and background fabrics your blocks will look like they are floating, the choice is yours. I am also going to show you how to add cornerstones. I’m using lots of different colours for mine but you could choose a single colour, just make it your own.
FABRIC REQUIREMENTS:
Sashing Strips – 0.75 metre
Cornerstones – fabric scraps or one fat quarter
Small Inner Border – 0.25m / skinny quarter
Large Outer Border – 0.75 metre
CUTTING:
Make sure all your blocks are pressed nice and flat, square and all measure the same size, (12-1/2″ square).
NB: It is important that you cut all your sashing and cornerstones to the exact size of your blocks, so if your blocks are smaller or larger you will need to cut your sashing strips and cornerstones smaller or larger accordingly. This is important as it will help keep your quilt aligned and squared.
Sashing Strips: Cut thirty-one 2-1/2″ x 12-1/2″ sashing strips ‘straight of grain’ (parallel to the selvedge) as there is less stretch than if you cut them on the cross grain. This will also help to keep everything in line.
Cornerstones: Cut twenty 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ squares.
Small Inner Border: Cut 6 strips of fabric 1-1/2″ by width of fabric (WOF).
Large Outer Border: Cut 6 to 7 strips (it’s a little tight) of fabric 4-1/2″ by WOF.
QUILT ASSEMBLY:
- All seams are 1/4″ and I use a stitch length of 1.8.
- I finger press my seams before pressing with an iron. This allows you to change the seams’ direction if needed without stretching your fabrics.
SASHING AND CORNERSTONES:
Step 1.
Lay out all your quilt blocks in four rows of three. It doesn’t matter what order they are in but think about their colours and shapes.
Next lay out all your 2-1/2″ x 12-1/2″ (white) sashing strips and your 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ square (coloured) cornerstones so you are happy with your layout.
Step 2.
First we are going to sew the blocks together in rows, working from left to right; that way hopefully you won’t get lost. If it helps, number each row and/or take a photo on your phone.
We are going to sew our top row first. You will need pins to keep everything aligned, four of your 2-1/2″ x 12-1/2″ (white) sashing strips and your first three quilt blocks.
Each of these rows starts and ends with a sashing strip. Place a sashing strip on the left and right-hand side of your first block, turn it over and pin in place. Make sure your edges are aligned and you have pinned everything securely together, the more pins you use the less your fabric will travel when you sew. Put pins right at the ends too as this will keep the top and bottom edges of your row level.
Now sew a 1/4″ seam with the back of your quilt block facing up and your sashing strip underneath. This will allow you to see all your stitching and stop you losing your points. Don’t forget to remove your pins as you go. Then open your seams and finger press towards your sashing, being careful not to stretch your fabric, then press with your iron to set the seam. Now attach the next block and then the next sashing strip and so on until the row is compete.
Repeat this process with the other three block rows.
Step 3.
After this, sew together all your cornerstone and sashing rows with a 1/4″ seam, making sure you press your seams towards the sashing as you go.
Step 4.
Join your top cornerstone and sashing row to your block row, nesting your cornerstones as you go. Use plenty of pins and make sure you sew on the wrong side of your block row with the cornerstone and sashing row underneath as this will help you see where all your points are. Then open your seams and finger press towards your sashing, being careful not to stretch your fabric, before fixing with an iron.
Now sew the remainder of your rows together. The centre of your quilt should measure
44-1/2″ x 58-1/2″.
BORDERS:
It is important to measure all your quilt edges before you cut your borders. If you cut your sashing strips length of grain there shouldn’t be too much stretch but if you cut them WOF, measure through the centre of your quilt from the top to the bottom for the side borders. Then measure through the centre of your quilt from side to side to get the measurements for the top and bottom borders. Adjust as necessary.
Step 5.
Join all your (1-1/2″ by WOF) inner border strips together with a 45-degree mitred joint, making sure you cut the selvedge off your fabric as you go. Press your seams open.
Now cut two 1-1/2″ x 58-1/2″ lengths from your sewn together border strips and pin a strip evenly down each side of your quilt. I mark my borders and the edge of my quilt into four then pin each of the sections together, easing my fabric as I go and pinning about every inch and a half. Using lots of pins really does stop your fabric from traveling. When sewn, finger press your seam outwards and press with an iron.
Now cut two 1-1/2″ x 46-1/2″ strips for the top and bottom borders and repeat the side instructions.
Your quilt should now measure 46-1/2″ x 60-1/2″.
Step 6.
Join all your (4-1/2″ by WOF) outer border strips together with a 45-degree mitred joint, making sure you cut the selvedge off your fabric as you go then press your seams open.
Cut two 4-1/2″ x 60-1/2″ strips for the sides and repeats the steps taken for the inner border side strips. When sewn, finger press your seam outwards towards the edge of your quilt and press with an iron.
Then cut two strips measuring 4-1/2″ x 54-1/2″ and repeat for the top and bottom borders of your quilt.
Your quilt should now measure 68-1/2″ x 54-1/2″
Ta da!… You have finished your quilt top.
Back, quilt and bind as desired.