Creating a Quilt where Sashing is the Star

The last category (and I suspect the least used) set of blocks in the Electric Quilt library is "sashing".  Let's face it, sashing is typically not the "star" in a quilt. 

I decided to see if I could change that.  I challenged myself to design a quilt around the sashing.

I found this block in the library 10 Sashing>Stripes-Bordered.  It has the name Stripes Bordered Inside 2. 

Even the name seems a bit "boring". 

Colored in browns and taupes, this poor block was destined to be overlooked. 

​Can we make it shine?

Stripes Bordered Inside 2 block from EQ8 Library

Quilt Layout

I started by creating a quilt layout.

• Select New Quilt>Horizontal.
• Set the number of blocks at 4 x 4.
• Set the size of the blocks at 12 x 12.
• Set the size of sashing at 4 x 4.
• Check "Include sash border".
• On the Borders tab, set the first border at 4" long horizontal.
• Set the second border at 1/2" Mitered.  

Layout Tab Settings for Sashing Quilt

Quilt #1 - Sashing Only

For the first option, I decided to use only sashing.

To color the quilts, I used the June 2025 Free Fabric Download from Do you EQ.  The collection Tiny Secrets designed by Pat Sloan and Manufactured by Benartex "captures the quiet magic of nature's most enchanting corners".

I rotated the sashing so that the yellows from the sashing face in on half the blocks and the dark blue faces in on the other half of the blocks. 

​This provides continuity to the design.

Sashing Quilt #1

Quilts #2 and #3 - Sashing Recolored

I swapped out the colors -- going for red, white and blue.

I then decided to color the large rectangle with the background.  Now the intersection of the sashing units is forming crosses.

Piecing this is exactly like piecing the first quilt.  

Sashing Quilt #2

Sashing Quilt #3

Quilt #4 - Add a Primary Block

What happens if you create a block to complement the sashing. 

​Here is the block and the revised quilt.

Initial Primary Block

Sashing Quilt #4

Quilt #5 - Revise the Sashing

What happens if you carry the blue band from the primary block into the sashing?

Here is the block and adjusted quilt.

Reworked Sashing Block

Sashing Quilt #5

Quilt #6 Add Applique to the Primary Block

For the final variation, I added applique to the primary block.   And then decided to go with two different colorings of the primary block.

​No problem if you didn't set up the initial block us as a combination Easy Plus Applique block.  I will show you my trick for getting that applique adding to your block.

Primary Block with PosieMaker Applique

Sashing Quilt #6

Check out the process for creating all six quilts using Electric Quilt 8.

Feel free to use my tutorial to redrafting these quilts in Electric Quilt8.

Or if you would like to challenge yourself, select a different Sashing Block from the EQ Library.  

​L look forward to seeing your quilts.  Feel free to sharing in the Learning EQ Facebook Group.

Sashing Quilt Design Learning EQ Facebook Group Post

​Happy quilting.

​Kari

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