I am sure you will get someone on here to help you .
JMHO..... maybe the next one you make don't put on sashing just stick with very easy (not that sashing is hard but maybe your not really for it ) again JMHO

Betty

Is it putting on the sashing causing problems or attaching the rows to each other?

If it is the latter, what I do is pin each block seam so it can't move & if there is slack between the pins I try to ease it in when I'm sewing it together.

Oh dear...I feel your pain - this is why I am "sashing challenged."

Would hand basting it together help to ease it to fit better?

Wish I could help more.
Teresa

Boxers,
First, let me say, I'm comforted to know I'm not the only one to experience this phenomenon!

If you take the whole thing and pin it together -- does it fit? If so:
It must have something to do with the sewing. When you say "long sashing strips" it sounds like you're sewing the blocks into rows and then trying to sew that to one long row of sashing? That can be much more difficult than it sounds, in my experience.

If there are no cornerstones in the sashing to match up, I would just make the sashing piece super long and then sew it togehter and trim it at the end.

If it's got cornerstones, I would sew it to each block individually, then sew the blocks together. But I'm confused -- it sounds like you did that? So maybe you're just talking about the top row? I'd sew the sashing to those blocks individually too, so they have sashing on 3 sides each, and then sew them together. A 4th piece of sashing on the last block of the row (for the outside).

If they start going together OK and get harder to match the further you go, I'd sew them into sub sections (like 4 or 9 blocks in a square) and then sew those together.

If it's all in long rows already, and you really don't want to take it apart, you might try starting in the MIDDLE of a row and sewing toward the outside. Then flipping it over and doing the same from the middle to the other end.

You could do lots of pinning and/or use a walking foot for even feed.

If it's any consolation, I feel you pain. I've often been so excited about my blocks, and then when I get to putting them together, it fights me every stitch of the way. You at least took time to square them up. I prefer to just complain at that point. ;-)

As I sew these things together I OFTEN find myself letting out and taking in seams in the sashing to make it fit with the blocks. Once it's all together though, it doesn't seem so noticeable.

Good luck. We want pics!!!

If putting the rows together is the problem try not doing it in rows. If you do quarter sections it is easier. Sew only half your row together then go on to the next. Put those small rows together. Do the same with all four sections of your quilt. then sew those four together. It really does make a difference.

If it is the sashing make sure the block is on the bottom when sewing. this will keep the block from stretching. Then if you need to you can trim the sashing.

Even if it is a little off you might see it more than others. Post a pic and let us see. I know I notice things about my own quilts that drive me nuts and no one else ever notices them.

Lynette

Boxers, I've had much more success in sashing entire blocks then sewing them into rows -- rather than sewing (1) partial sashing, (2) rows, (3) row sashing.

Is it possible to rip out your rows, so you've got the partially sashed blocks, finish sashing them then stitch them all together in rows? Sounds like lots of work, but if you're frustrated with the row sashing, maybe it's an alternative.

Laura has some very good ideas, too. Hopefully something here will help you.

BTW: can you take pictures of the quilt as it is now? Maybe we're misunderstanding the problem, or perhaps a visual person will have a suggestion.

Good luck. Please don't give up!!

Kelly (Nebraska)

I am also sashing challenged. From reading your thread it seems that you are putting the sashing correct me if I am wrong across the tops of the blocks.....starch your long strips of sashing... if this is row by row..pin your blocks
what I mean is after you add the first top sashing place your blocks together right sides and pin your blocks and pin the sashing between your rows also when you put your blocks together does the sashing equal the same amt ...what I mean is the first row to the second row is the sashing equal with each other in size? Maybe you could post a pic and show us....
Red

Thank you everyone.

The quilt is four-patch blocks with piped borders then set on point. It has sashing between the rows.

The first "row" is one block, with two corner triangles
The second row is three blocks with sashing on two sides
The third is five blocks with sashings...and so on.

The rows do seem to fit together well when pinned. What the heck goes on when I sew them is another question! (:

I used my 1/4" foot to sew the rows together on the first three rows. Maybe the walking foot would be better. I will try using more pins and may also hand baste at least at each block intersection. Also I will try the idea of sewing in each direction, from the center toward the outside. Each row of blocks must align, so I've left the remaining rows until I figure out what my problem is.

I did use sizing on everything. It seemed stiff enough, and I've been very careful to not stretch anything. The way the sashing works on this pattern is that you add sashing to two sides and then sew the blocks into rows. Then to connect the rows, one long sashing between each row. The blocks need to align, and mine should, and seem to when pinned.

I will try to get a photo.

Thanks so much for all of the great ideas! (:

Connie (boxers)

Connie,

When I sew long sashing rows, I do it like borders. Find the center of the row of blocks and the center of the sashing strip, and pin there. Then continue to find the centers of the each 1/2, then 1/2 again, etc. (This is assuming that the sashing strip has no cornerstones or other markers).

Then carefully pin the next row of blocks to the sashing, matching the first row seams.

Good luck! It's so frustrating when it SHOULD work, yet doesn't.

Cheryl

btw: you did the right thing to take a break from it for awhile :)

I sometimes have trouble with blocks fitting dispite the fact that I think I have done everything correctly. What I do is sew a few blocks togeather then I go back and check the sewn size of the block between the seams. I do this both at the top of the block and the bottom. By doing this I can determine if I am sewing my correct seam width or if the one of the blocks is not cut correctly. It frequently the seam widith on one or two blocks.
Not sure it this helps. I agree a pic would give a bit more insite.
Jayne

It is very difficult to sew rows of long sashing and have all your blocks lined up perfectly when you are done....this is why you so very often see the corner stones.

You need to take your second sashing you are going to sew on and measure and mark with chalk to perfectly match your blocks in sashing #1 so you know where each block should fit. Even being out 1/8" will show. Is there a possiblility you could add the corner stones to the sashing. You have sewn things right....there is just little differences in the block measurements between each row that is causing you problems and we have all done this.

Hope this is helpful to make your project turn out.
Jean

Connie,
I was thinking about this some more. Considering they are set on point I think I would take the longest row and pin the next one to it, doing a lot of pinning. Then sew from the middle out one way, flip it over and sew from the middle out the next way.

Then add the next row on the other side of the longest one, and keep working your way from the middle out.

I wonder too how far off it is. If the blocks look ok sewn together and it's not too far off at the end, maybe use oversized corner triangles and trim down when done?

Assuming your blocks really are consistenly sized, I think you can get it right w/ lots of pinning. (I hate pinning and often skip it, but sometimes when I'm all done, my work shows it...)

And if you come to a point where you have a little excess fabric on one side, stop sewing if you have to and flip it so the longer side is on the bottom -- if it's not too much extra, you can usually ease it in.

I'm very new to doing sashings, and like the ideas you all have shared. I read somewhere that when doing long sashings, after you sew the first seam in the sashing to a row, they suggested folding the block (at the seam) and sashing and ironing a crease in it, do for all blocks. Then when you are adding your next row, starting in the center and working your way out in each direction,you line the blocks seams up with the creases you ironed in.
It said that by doing this, you can ease in any fullness with pinning and your blocks all line up. I wanted to try this on the next sashings I do.

Has anyone tried this..and did it work successfully??? It sounded like it would help keep things in line.

Hang in there Connie! When I run into problems where I want to give up...I just try to remember that I'm trying to learn something..and that the first time is always the hardest. I think that overcoming challenges is what makes me a better quilter.

With everyone's help...YOU CAN DO THIS! let us know how it's going.
woodsy