Doxiemomma

Hello all. I am new to quilting and I jumped in and decided to try a pattern. I bought the simplicity 2493 pattern. I want to make the turtle rag quilt for my nephew. Anyways I took forever tracing the pattern onto cardboard and cutting it out (so that I can re use the pattern). That killed my hands by the way lol. But my issue is with figuring out how to go about with the fabric. I bought all the flannel needed, and then I got this super soft fuzzy stuff that I want to use as the backing. I dont want to cut all the flannel according to the pattern and then have extra. So would I cut half the recommended amount of each piece using the flannel and then the other half of the pieces cut from the fluffy backing I plan on using? I hope that makes sense to you all. Any help is greatly appreciated.

PaperPrincess

Hi, looked at the pattern and it's a rag quilt. It sounds like you got flannel and a fabric called Minkee (that really soft fleece). A rag quilt is supposed to fray. I'm not sure that Minkee will fray, because it's more like fleece. Hopefully someone will have more info on making a rag quilt with minkee.

Doxiemomma

Thank you The fabric is not minkee, its actually a bit more fluffy than minkee. Its really soft like minkee though. I know it wont fray but I'm not too concerned about that because I know that the flannel will fray around the fluffy fabric and it should still turn out okay. I'm just trying to figure out how to go about with the pattern.

Ripped on Scotch

If it is minkee, you don't want to use it in a rag quilt. The edges of that need to be finished or is makes a mess everytime you touch it.

eparys

OK .... let me recap what I think you said ....

You purchased enough flannel fabric to do the entire thing then bought more soft fuzzy stuff for the back that you liked better .. right? So now you have more fabric than you needed. I would read the pattern and then look at the pieces - cut out what I needed for the top from the flannel then cut out the pieces from the fuzzy stuff for the back.

I googled the pattern to see what you were trying to make. It appears that in the image I saw that the edges/seams were left raw like in a rag quilt. Just one question - I am thinking that this warm fuzzy stuff might be "minky". If so, you may have problems with the raw edges. Minky (if it is) has a tendency to shed its fuzz at the cut edge. I have worked on it but never left the edge raw. Just check the edges - in case the shedding is too much.

Doxiemomma

Okay so I will be sure to check the edges of the fluffy fabric to make sure it doesnt need finishing before I decide to use it, thank you for pointing that out ripped on scotch! Eparys, that sums up what is going on. But I need help with the mathematics of the pattern. Say a piece of the pattern calls for 4 cuts of fabric, so would I cut 2 of them from flannel and 2 of them from the soft fluffy fabric?? Thats the issue im trying to figure out.

sassey

I would like to suggest next time you cut out a pattern that you iron it on to freezer paper then cut out it is much easier than using cardboard and still presserves your pattern for future use sorry I cant help you more

Doxiemomma

Thank you for that awesome tip Sassey. That will be a lifesaver

Doxiemomma

Can anyone tell me if I will end up with the right ratio of fabric cuts if I try and do half of the cuts with flannel and half of the cuts with the backing?

kaelynangelfoot

I''m afraid I don't really understand what you are trying to ask. Is the backing one piece or a reverse image of the front turtle?