Monday, May 7, 2012

Make the Zig Zag Block into at Sashing

Update:  This Quilt Block Pattern is now available as PDF Downloadable Pattern at PDF Downloadable Patterns.


Today, I am sharing my Zig Zag Block for a sashing possibility for the Home Sweet Home Quilt Along.  Thanks Kim for inviting me to share my sashing idea!
There are several simple ways to construct this block.  Basically, you need a square of fabric with strips of fabrics stitched on two sides. Then you cut it at an angle with a small square ruler.
I shared one method on how to make this block during Project Quilting here.
You can make the block by starting with squares and two short strips.
Today, we will make it starting with long black fabric strips for the main block and  skinny black and white strips for the side strips.
First sew one black and white strip to one side of the black fabric. I started with 3 1/2" wide black strips.  The black and white strips are 1" to 1 1/4" to 1 1/2".
Then cut across the strips and cut them 3 1/2". I cut several all at once as it doesn't have to accurate yet.
I know why I take several photos of each step.  Some don't turn out and others have a glare. Sorry about the glare.
The next step, is to sew one strip on the second side.  I do not have a photo of that step with the black and white fabrics.  Here it is in another color, so you can at least see the two side strips on the block before cutting it at an angle.
You can see the strips are on two adjoining sides - not opposite sides.
Now you are ready to square up.  The original black strip was 3 1/2".  You added two strips.  You are going to be cutting it at an angle, so we square up to the same measurement of 3 1/2" Square.
Angle the square, so you have a narrow part on one strip and a wide part on the other strip.  Make sure to keep the measurement of 3 1/2" inside the black fabric. See above photo.
Then flip it around to cut the other two sides.
Line up the 3 1/2" even with the black and white sides and the bottom left corner. Trim the excess on the black sides.  You now have a 3 1/2" block for your sashing.
Start sewing them together into a long strip for your sashing.
The coolest part about this block is there are no seams to match.
If you need a shorter strip you can just trim it shorter.  My suggestion is that you trim on the black and white sides, not the solid black sides as it will show less.


I used the Zig Zag Blocks on my border of my Kissing Quilt.
Here is a photo before the quilting. I think it is upside down.  It gives you a view of it as a border around a block.
I sewed them together in rows for this little table runner with a solid strip in between each row.


I will be sharing another Zig Zag Quilt later this week using the Zig Zag Block. Here's a sneak peek from a weird angle.
Plus, I will be announcing a Zig Zag Block Challenge with a prize of Free Quilting. It will be very similar to the Scrappy Quilt Challenge where we used the Denim Block to create a scrappy quilt, but of course we will use the Zig Zag Block.
All details about the challenge will be announced this week.
Are you playing Bingo? I added a link in my sidebar that takes you to all of my posts with my Bingo items that have been called so far on my blog.
Hope you are enjoying every day in May!  I am!
Marcia

Linked with:
Pieceful Life: Little Quilts Monday
Sew Happy Geek: Manic Monday
Sew Chatty: Made with Love Link up
Linky Party at Our Delightful Home
Quilting by the River: Linky Party Tuesdays
Quilt Story: Fabric Tuesday
The Shady Porch: Rock'N Share
Freshly Pieced: WIP - Work In Progress

12 comments:

Debbie said...

Thanks for the great tutorial, Marcia!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I can't wait to play zig-zag!

Cherry's Prairie Primitives said...

I love the zig zag!! Thanks so much for the tutorial!!

elizabeth said...

So cool!

Kati from Kati's Quilting said...

Wow, wonderful tutorial, I was wondering how did you make those zig-zag borders on that little quilt. Thanks for sharing!

Linda said...

Ah very cool and it can be made at any size! I like that! Thanks for sharing this Marcia. Have a happy May day!

Snoodles said...

Marcia, that is amazing! I love this - thanks for the tutorial!

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

What a neat border Marcia and thanks for a great tutorial!
Quilting at the River Linky Party Tuesday

Richard Healey said...

I love the I kiss better then I cook wall hanging pretty cool.

http//richardquilts.blogspot.com

Miss Hillbilly said...

THis is so fun! I love it as sashing. Can you please give me just a bit of your creativity?

CapitolaQuilter said...

This jagged edge version of a zig zag is really great. I'll have to give it a try. Thanks for the tute.

Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts said...

Neat idea!

Mrs.Hearts