nesagale from Ky.
 

Hi everyone, I am new(very very new) to quilting. I am 57 yrs old. I have a disability. My right hand is completely paralyzed. I am making a rag quilt. I have found out that cutting the material is a big problem. I can't hold the ruler down hard enough to stay in one place. But anyway, I'll try my best. I have a question about batting. I have looked up many quilting sites, and one said you couldn't use polyester batting in a rag quilt. Had to be either flannel or cotton, they talked about how they would be better for the fraying. But if you have to cut your batting smaller than your blocks, how can you get fraying from the batting? The clerk at the store has never heard of flannel batting, so I bought cotton, which was very high I thought. I'm confused. I am sure I will enjoy this site and will find many helpful ideas.

When flannel was mentioned, it wasn't flannel batting, but regular flannel instead of batting. It actually works quite well, with the top fabric, the flannel in the middle and the bottom fabric - all are cut the same sizes, and it makes each block 'rag' a bit more. I actually prefer using flannel for rag quilts. I saw a product on line that may help you:

http://quiltersreview.com/index.php/...safe-and-easy/

Enjoy making your rag quilt!

Hi and welcome. It is just wonderful that you are making a quilt. I am sure this is not an easy task for you but it sure is wonderful that you are trying this. I have learned that when I remember to ask God to bless my hands before I begin quilting it always comes out so much better. I don't have a disability with my hands but sometimes my work is not up to par. When I ask for my blessing it is the best.

Welcome from Minnesota and happy quilting :)

Hi from Ohio!

DebbE is right they meant normal fabric flannel, it gives a lovely soft warm result and it nice to work with. You could find it more stable too. Welcome to your new family.

Welcome from Adrian, MI

welcome from ohio, a former kentuckian. Yes, it's just flannel material and you cut all three layers the same. Also may be easier for you to mark your squares with marking pencil outline and cut out with scissors instead of rotary cutting since you are having a hard time holding the ruler in place. Also another big help when you get ready to cut the edges is if you get a pair of rag quilt scissors (they making cutting the edges so much easier). Good luck and kudos to you for giving this a shot. I would probably save that expensive cotton batting for another project and just get some flannel on sale if you could for this project - now is probably the time to find some at discount pricing.

Welcome from Michigan!:)