I have an idea, to use the rag quilt technique to create a quilt for cancer. I have several flannel fabrics which work so nice for rag quilts. Is there any trick to using a pattern for rag quilt? How would I create the pattern to include the border for snipping the fringe area? I'm thinking of a PP pattern. How large would I need to enlarge it, and with each section, should I separate it and add fringing border, sewing it like a pieced block? Or should I simply do a PP that's been enlarged, and add the surrounding blocks to create the rag look? Noodle is working, but not thinking enough details, hope someone can help. Thanks

Can you post a picture of a rag quilt or a link so I can see what one looks like.

I made a flannel rag quilt. I think I got the pattern from JoAnne's -- a freebee one-sheet thing. I cut out hearts and stitched them 1/2" from the edge onto 2 squares of fabric. I snipped the hearts all the way around and then sewed all of the squares together with a 3/4" seam so all of the seams were up on the same side as the hearts and then snipped all of the seams. Wash, throw in the dryer and let it shag up. Nice and soft. You can make as big as you like. Is this what you are thinking of doing? Gerry

http://quilting.about.com/od/quiltpa.../rag_quilt.htm

I believe you can use several types of fabrics, but flannel works best for giving a nice soft fussy fraying of the edges.

Yes, do you think it would work for all shapes, including a PP pattern?

I don't see why not. Just seems like simplicity is the name of the game when making rag quilts. A friend of mine make a Christmas Tree rag quilt. Made the squares & hst form the tree with a contrast for the background. It was flannel plaids. Turned out great. Perfect for the winter or a cottage bedroom. She put it in a charity auction. PP is more work and I like to save it for traditional cotton quilts where all of the perfect points and seams can be shown off.

How would I approach a pink ribbon idea? Odd shape, especially with the open center. I will donate this quilt also if I figure it out, it will use up my pink cancer flannel fabrics.

I am working on a rag quilt for my granddaughter due in June. i tried pp one square and it didn't work for me. If you figure out how to do it, let me know. The problem for me is that all the seams show with the rag quilt and when I paper piece I end up stitching over some of them and it's a mess. I'm just learning though so it could just be my ineptness.

I would make a pattern of the "pink ribbon" symbol. Make it big enough and wide enough so you can stitch around it and around the inside "hole/opening. Depending on the size of the pink ribbon, your square will have to be big enough to accommodate it with some space around it. Do a few samples with scraps until it look proportionate and go to town. Sounds very nice. The ribbon, when snipped and washed and dried will "rag" nicely because of the curves, which create bias edges. Good luck. Gerry

I made the heart rag quilt for my granddaughter. I think that the less seams in the square, the better. That is why I appliqued the hearts in the middle of the squares -- no seams. And, it was easy. Gerry