Octadot QAL Part 4: Sashing

Did you finish all of the snowballing on your blocks? Then we can continue today with Part 4 in the Octadot QAL, the sashing.

Sashing

With the Octadot quilt all the blocks are on point. I think that adds a fun element to the quilt. When you look at the illustration below, you can’t tell right away how the quilt is constructed. It looks more complex than it actually is.

In this blog post I’ll show you with illustrations how to sew this quilt together. Just squares and strips.

Start by cutting your small sashing strips, measuring 1 x 5 inch (this includes seam allowance).

Cut 18 strips for the Mini octadot

Cut 77 strips or the Octadot quilt

Before you start sewing, make sure to know what layout you would like. Place all your blocks on a large surface, design wall, floor, table, bed, and puzzle until you are happy with the layout.

Mini Octadot

Let’s start with the mini octadot. We start in the top right corner with two half blocks and 1 sashing strip.

Line out the bottom of the sashing and the bottom of the half blocks.

It’s no problem when the sashing sticks out a little on the top

Continue with the second row with two blocks, two half blocks and two strips of sashing.

Again, it’s important to line up the blocks, half blocks and sashing at the bottom.

Sewn together it looks like this.

Continue sewing all the rows together.

For the rows in the bottom half of the quilt, see the image below, you line the blocks and sashing up at the top. It’s not a problem if those edges and corners on the outside are a little wonky. When we sew the rows together next week I’ll show you how to line everything up nicely.

Now the Octadot quilt

Here are the instructions to sew together the bigger Octadot quilt. The idea is the same as for the Mini Octadot, but let me show you what the rows look like.

Again, we start at the top left corner. The first one is easy, that is just a quarter block, no need for sashing there.

For row two you take two half blocks, one block and two sashing strips.

Sewn together that looks like this

For the third row you will use two half blocks, three blocks and 4 sashing strips.

On the quilt that would look like this.

Continue making all the rows like in the illustration below. For the bottom half of the quilt you will line the blocks and sashing up at the top.

Wonky snowballs

I don’t know how it is for you, but I always have trouble getting the corners of my snowball blocks straight. Since you sew on the bias, it’s a little more stretchy.

So when I line up those blocks and half blocks, I try to look mostly at the main square when I line them up.

Just take a look at the half blocks below. That little triangle is quite wonky.

So when I line the blocks up for sewing, I pay attention to the sides of the main fabric (orange lines). And just ignore the wonky triangle (pink squiggle).