We have finished all 12 blocks and now it’s time to put it all together! After all the skills you’ve learned, this final step will be quick and easy, but it’s still worth taking your time to make sure everything lines up correctly. With a few simple tips and tricks, your top will stay square and be easy to finish.
We have learned so many different techniques this year! If you missed any, you can head to the main 2020 Quilt Along Page or click on the link below:
There are definitely quicker ways to finish quilts, like sew the sashing without trimming, then just cut it off to match the row. However, this can also lead to extra fabric in the quilt top and make wavy borders or spots and prevent it from laying flat and being square. We take the time to measure and cut each border to ensure the top of the quilt is the same size as the bottom. If you do have a little extra width in some of your blocks, by matching the finished row up to the precut sashing and border, you can ease in extra fabric and keep everything even. By attaching your borders the same way, you also prevent those dreaded friendly borders that wave at you.
Before you get started, check to see if you need to iron your blocks. If they are wrinkled or creased, a quick press will make it much easier to finish and line up the sashing, so take a little time to prep each block before sewing them together and don’t forget to press the seams after sewing. The flatter the quilt before adding borders, the flatter it will be after.
Lining up the Sashing
One of the things you will want to watch for when putting your top together, is keeping the vertical sashing strips lined up and looking like they connect through the horizontal sashing. This can be tricky since those seams don’t actually meet up. Take the time to pin these areas as you line them up for greatest accuracy. The video shows how I line them up to keep them as even as possible.
Laying out Your Blocks
Before you sew on the sashing you’ll want to decide how to layout your blocks. With this sampler quilt, the layout is really flexible. We are going to put ours together to match the mock up, but you can mix things up however you’d like! Either follow our template, or move things around until it looks just right to you. If you want an easy way to get the best finished view, lay out your blocks then snap a quick photo with your phone. For some reason a photo makes things stand out that we miss when looking at the actual quilt. Need somewhere to lay out the blocks but don’t have floor space? Throw them on top of a bed! It’s a great flat spot to lay things out and will give you a hint of how awesome your quilt will look all done and in use.
Now on to the instructions. I can’t wait to see them all sewn up!
Finishing Instructions
Sashing and Border 1
White:
- Cut 8 @ 2 1/2 x 18 1/2″
- Cut 12 @ 2 1/2″ x Width of Fabric (WOF)
Border 2
Dark Green:
- Cut 8 @ 1 1/2″ x Width of Fabric
Quilt Construction:
Sew 5 white WOF strips together, cut into 3 – 58 1/2″ strips
Sew 1 – 18 1/2″ sashing to the right side of 1 block. Sew another block to the right, followed by another sashing and another block.
Repeat 4 times.
Sew rows together with 58 1/2″ sashing strips between them.
Border 1:
Sew 2 white WOF strips together, cut into a 78 1/2″ strip. Repeat with 2 more WOF strips.
Sew 3 white WOF strips together, cut into 2 – 62 1/2″ strip.
Sew 78 1/2″ border strips to the sides of the quilt top. Sew the 62 1/2″ strips to the top and bottom of the quilt top.
Border 2:
Sew all dark green WOF strips together, cut into 2 – 82 1/2″ strisp and 2 – 64 1/2 ” strip.
Sew the 82 1/2″ strips to sides of quilt top. Sew the 64 1/2″ strips to the top and bottom.
Press, layer, and quilt.
