I just finished a quilt that has baseballs sewn on that are supposed to rag. (I stitched them about 1/4" from the edge and expect that raw edge to fray.) I've washed and dried it once and .. not much happened. This is the first time I've done this so don't know quite what I'm supposed to do. It's in the washer again right now. Do I just keep washing it?

1/4" may not be enough, especially if it's not a good raggy fabric, you know if you accedentially sew too close to the edge it's gonna fray at least 1/2" and come apart, but something like this that you want to fray ......... try brushing it with a tooth brush

This edge won't fray the same as a rag quilt. It usually will just fray a bit from handling and washing. It also depends on the fabric, batiks won't fray around the edges as much as homespun would :D:D:D

Did you clip the edges like on a regular rag quilt? I would think that might help the process along. You would have to be really careful with the clipping tho if you only have 1/4" to work with, you dont want to accidently clip into the seam

hmmmm ... I'll let it go through this wash and then get the toothbrush out. Here's what it looked like before I finished it:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-104815-1.htm

Oops - haven't clipped the edges - I think I'll stop the washer and do that! (Nope - it's too far gone.)

Is it the washing or the drying that does the most work?

Also when I took a class on rag quilts, we snipped the edges up close to the seams, being careful not to clip the seam, about every half inch or so. It will help with the ragging process. Our seams were made at least a half inch too. AND the first time washed, it really leaves the little pieces in you washer and dryer, so be careful not to plug you washer. I actually took mine to the laundry mat for that first washing and drying, lol.

I agree, at least 1/2 inch is needed plus clipping the edges. Clipping the edges will still work even tho it has been washed, it will fray, just take a little longer. Wash in cool water so the color won't fade. One thing I found out is put a screen on the hose or water plug so all the thread won't clog your drain. I prefer to take it to the laundry mat.

When I do a rag quilt I usually sew twice over the seam at 1/2 and just beside each other just in case I nick the seam when clipping it. I have found it takes 2 washings... The first one to get out most of it.. and the second one to get the rest off... I usually do 2 washing in a row and after it has agitated a while I open the machine and try and scoop out the fibers with a colander, that saves some of it from the drain. I take it outside and shake it as best I can before I put it in the dryer.

It sounds like you did raw edge applique... Am I right? I have found that regular cotton doesn't rag as well as flannel. It will do it's job eventually.

With my rag quilts I cut every 1/4" of the exposed seam ... just not into the seam line.

I washed my quilts but took them to the laundromat and put them in the dryer without heat. They frayed beautifully. So much that I was continually removing large amounts of thread from the dryer. One little older Vietnamese lady was afraid I had "broken" my quilt as she had never seen this done. And ... let's face it, it is weird.

ali

My pattern from accuquilt said to do a 5/8 seam; mine fray really well first time washed

I usually do at leat 1/2 inch on my rag quilts, but have also done 3/4 inch and really like them the best. I have not tried to use cotton tho as it doen not rag as well, I have used flannel, homespun and denim

I'm hitting myself upside the head here and listening for all the Southeners on the board to say, "Well, bless her heart!" :) I'm amazed today that I'm allowed to play with scissors.

So ... After the 2nd wash I pulled that thing out of the washer and started clipping. It looked better even before I washed it again. It's doing it's thing in the washer so I'll let you know. Yes - it's raw edge applique so not really that many seams to rag.

its the clipping that does the most work-
and to have a really nice- noticable ragged edge more than one layer of fabric is needed- it will remain pretty flat with only one layer- and just stringy if you don't clip the edges.

Oh I want to do a denim rag quilt so badly !!!!!
So you are saying that 1/2 to 3/4 " is a good seam allowance for the rag quilt.
Anxious to do it. I saw pic of one and looked like they cut into the raw edge every 1/2 " and was so cute.

Saw a denim rag (pic) and it looks like they cut it like every 1/2 " into the seam. It really looked adorable.

i have a rag quilt started, but it is not so far that i cannot stop, it is made of shirt cambray, i cut 20 inch blocks one on top of the other, layered three together,no batting, different colors and stipes, sewed in all together in a random back and forth straight pattern, zig zaggy pattern, but a straight stitch 12 to the inch, now my plan is to then cut them in four pieces and sew them together, i am trying to explain and do not think i am doing a good job. but am trying, after they are random sewn in straight lines, i cut them apart in four pieces (acurrate but not too important), and i have 4 ten inch squares, then i take the squares and sew them togehter, they do not have to be perfect, just sewn, and stop half inch from the corners of each square, back stitch and make sure they are secure, my plan is to bias bind it, prior to washing, and then wash the heck out of it, at the laundry mat, and wash and dry again. the binding will be double sewn, with no raw edges, and i washed and dried the fabric three times to reduce shrinking, i just want it to fray. sorry, but it is a plan and want thoughts for my plan, the front hopefully will have the frayed rag look and the back will be mostly flat, comments

i have a rag quilt started, but it is not so far that i cannot stop, it is made of shirt cambray, i cut 20 inch blocks one on top of the other, layered three together,no batting, different colors and stipes, sewed in all together in a random back and forth straight pattern, zig zaggy pattern, but a straight stitch 12 to the inch, now my plan is to then cut them in four pieces and sew them together, i am trying to explain and do not think i am doing a good job. but am trying, after they are random sewn in straight lines, i cut them apart in four pieces (acurrate but not too important), and i have 4 ten inch squares, then i take the squares and sew them togehter, they do not have to be perfect, just sewn, and stop half inch from the corners of each square, back stitch and make sure they are secure, my plan is to bias bind it, prior to washing, and then wash the heck out of it, at the laundry mat, and wash and dry again. the binding will be double sewn, with no raw edges, and i washed and dried the fabric three times to reduce shrinking, i just want it to fray. sorry, but it is a plan and want thoughts for my plan, the front hopefully will have the frayed rag look and the back will be mostly flat, comments

you really need to to do a 1/2 to 1 inch seam. i usually do 1/2 and find that it works well.

thank you i was wondering if i should just jetsum my plan, in my head i thought it would work, now i believe it will, i call it nantuckut summer, never been there but saw a photo in a magazine once, and it inspired me, not the quilt, just the colors, old whites, creams and pastels, in a house that was so old and beautiful in the photo, i save my inspirations out of magazines for color and form, it lets me close my eyes and see what i want it to be in the finished product, it iis not necessary for you to respond, i just appreciate your help, if you would like too, i would enjoy it, if not, keep on quilting

jan in palatka

Okay - it's looking better, but it will be a few more washes before I'm really happy with it. Or maybe the toothbrush mentioned earlier. I'm leaving it for now, though!

Sounds like it will turn out really nice. Would love to see your finished quilt.

you need more fabric to fray. but keep washing, 2-3 times

I saw a you tube with a guy taking a weed whacker to the clipped edges of a denim rag quilt. It seemed a little extreme to me, but keep it in mind if yours doesn't rag well.

I have done several flannel rag quilts and all had 1 inch seams, snipped then washed and dried. 2 washes usually does pretty good. clean the lint trap on your drier often as it fills up fast. Part of the problem with round shapes is that some of the edges are on the bias and bias does not fray well. Good lookin' quilt! probably will fray a bit more with use. By the way I would not use the weed wacker, liable to shred the whole thing, tooth brush would be better if you feel it needs more help fraying.

I've made several flannel rag quilts and what everyone else is saying is true. I would also like to add that I think it depends on your washer as well. I made one for my grand daughter and washed it twice in my front loader. It looked ok to me. Then my daughter washed it again with baby soap in her top loader and she got handfuls more of the lint and little strings. I think some front loaders are just too gentle.

I read somewhere that the guy that sells those hand held quilting frames suggested taking them out on the driveway and taking the weed whacker to them. There were pictures on his website. I would have a mess if I did that.

Part of your particular problem is that you are trying to fray a curved line; consequently some of your fraying is on the straight of the goods, but some is on the bias. Fraying works best on the straight of the goods.

Have never tried it on the bias, but I would suspect you'll have to help it along with your scissors. Good luck! It's a cute quilt! :thumbup:

Well, "BLESS HER HEART"... ha. It will be fine. I'll trade you my Crazy Quilt Trees I am trying to straighten out for your baseball quilt - as is! ha. Really cute quilt you have there... I like it!

I agree. I usually use a 1/2 inch seam on flannel rags for children. My trick for assisting the fray process is using a plastic pet comb -- the kind with short, narrow teeth that is good for matted hair or even fleas. A couple of brushes with this and it looks great and saves the washer and dryer.

Lovely work.

I do 1 inch and clip every 1/2 inch. They it really frayes.

I believe my directions call for a 1" seam for a rag quilt.

Is a rag quilt the kind that has the raw edges of the seams showing on the right side if the fabric?

you got it -- stack top, batting, and backing together usually a square, then quilt the square. When you have all the squares done sew them together, all seams on the right side. clip the seam allowance every 1/2 inch or so, being careful not to clip the seam. wash and dry. edges fray and become fuzzy and cozy. I did 4 for the bunk beds at the cabin that my grandsons sleep in, and I found clipping as you go is better than clipping after it is all put together. Clipping is very boring.

Can someone tell me the site address to view the video of the guy using the weed whacker to fray his quilt? Thanks