Simple Quilt Sashing & Border Ideas for Beginners

Embarking on your quilting journey? Sashing and borders are essential elements that not only frame your quilt but also add a touch of elegance and personality. As a beginner, you might feel overwhelmed by the myriad of designs and techniques. Fret not! We've compiled simple yet impactful ideas for quilt sashing and borders that are perfect for beginners.

Before we dive in, let's clarify these terms. Sashing refers to the strips of fabric that separate your quilt blocks, while borders are the frames that surround your quilt, including the sashing. Now, let's explore some beginner-friendly ideas.

Simple Sashing Ideas

Sashing is a fantastic way to create visual interest and unity in your quilt. It can also help to balance out different block sizes or colors.

For beginners, it's best to start with simple, straightforward sashing designs.

Strip Sashing

Strip sashing is one of the easiest and most common sashing techniques. It involves sewing strips of fabric between your quilt blocks. The strips can be as wide as you like, but for beginners, a width of 1.5 to 2 inches is a good starting point.

To create strip sashing, simply sew the strips to the sides of your blocks, then press the seams open. Next, sew the blocks together, making sure to nest the seams for a neat, flat finish. Repeat this process for the top and bottom sashing strips.

Checkerboard Sashing

Checkerboard sashing is a fun and easy way to add a pop of color to your quilt. It's essentially strip sashing with alternating colors. To create this effect, cut your sashing strips in two colors. Sew the first color to one side of your blocks, then the second color to the other side.

When you sew your blocks together, you'll create a checkerboard pattern. This design works particularly well with bright, contrasting colors.

Borders: The Finishing Touch

Borders are the perfect opportunity to showcase your creativity. They can add a striking contrast, a subtle frame, or even a whole new design element to your quilt.

Here are some simple border ideas for beginners.

Single Border

A single border is just that - a single strip of fabric around the edge of your quilt. It's a classic choice that adds a neat, finished look to your quilt. For beginners, a border width of 2 to 3 inches is a good starting point.

To create a single border, simply sew the strip to the top, bottom, and sides of your quilt, pressing the seams open as you go.

Double Border

A double border is simply two borders sewn one after the other. This can create a striking effect, especially if you use contrasting colors or patterns.

To create a double border, sew the first border strip to your quilt as usual. Then, sew the second border strip to the edge of the first border. This technique works best with borders of different widths, such as a narrow inner border and a wider outer border.

As you gain confidence and experience, you'll find countless ways to customize and embellish your sashing and borders. Don't be afraid to experiment and make them your own. Happy quilting!