Hello to all you helpful folks! I have searched on the forums and have read who-knows-how-many posts about raggy quilts, and have looked at the links shared about these quilts, but I have some questions I can't seem to find answers for.... Of course, I have an "Inquiring mind" and I want to know!

I plan to do a raggy quilt from denim for my mom. She lives in a mild climate (San Diego, CA), though, and I don't plan on using a backing - just the one layer of denim. It may be a silly question, however, do you sew from edge-to-edge on the squares, or do you sew with a 1/2 inch allowance around the blocks?

Also, when snipping the fringe, does there end up being a solid square at the corners of the blocks, as you have to be careful not to cut out chunks?

Thank you all, in advance for the help you're going to offer!

altho I have made a few rag quilts these are questions I have often pondered about so I will be interested in the answers to

Glad to know I am not alone! =)

I am curious as to how others do this also. Will be watching this topic...

I use more than a 1/2" seam allowance for the edges.

Yes, you do miss a small hunk out of the corners but when you sew the blocks together it isn't really noticed. It is only seen at the outer corners of the quilt.

Personally, I love my flannel raggedy quilt. I did use warm & natural batting, but could have omitted it if I wanted. I live in Phoenix, AZ and love that it is so soft and cuddly.

ali

I just made a rag quilt out of flannel. I would think you would need backing just for the raggy effect on the front. I wouldn't think just two fabrics together would produce much rag.

I use 1 inch seam allowance, and seams are on the right side. If you use one layer of demin, that is all you have to "rag". But should look all right. In CA, batting might make it too warm.

** Ali - how much seam allowance do you give yourself? **


Justlooking - Definitely not using a batting for mom's denim quilt. I think the denim alone will be plenty warm. I figured that, if she moved, or wanted it to be heavier, I could go back and add a backing to it and tie it together, just fringing the outside edges. I thought it would be really fun to sew some cute patches to the denim.

Do you all still sew the blocks edge-to-edge as you would in a "normal" quilt?

[/quote]Do you all still sew the blocks edge-to-edge as you would in a "normal" quilt?[/quote]

I do.

Hi SOB - soft ocean breeze,

I use about a 1" seam allowance. I like to alternate one big block with a grouping of a 4 patch block the same size. Though you could use any configuration you want for alternate blocks.

Yes, all the seam ends - the raggedy part - are on one side. That's what give the raggedy effect. Then when all are together I stitch a seam around the outer edges of the quilt to keep it together so it can be used without worry it will fall apart.

Two pieces of flannel sewn together with diagonal stitching from the corners would hold the quilt together without batting.

ali

Hi Girlie! Thanks for your feedback. I went to Joann's (I practically live there these days) and found some fabric for the back. I couldn't decide which I wanted, so I picked four! Here's the layout of the back fabric over the denim. I started sewing the X's and am getting a bit creative. More info when I post those pics later....

The corners really rag out once it is washed and dried.

I thought you weren't going to use a backing. Did you change your mind? I think it will rag much better this way. Which side is going to be ragged? It will be pretty either way. I make mine with 2-3 layers of flannel, sew 1" seams, don't bother with x-ing through the squares unless they're really large. I also rag the edges after sewing a line of stay stitching.

When you do the ragging, get some spring loaded scissors. I makes a huge difference - your hands will thank you for them.

On my corners I snip diagonally on them, all around the whole corner then go back to straight snips when I get to the edges. I do not snip until I have the whole quilt put together and then I love to sit on my swing and snip snip snip.

All the feedback convinced me to go ahead and get some fabric for the backing. It'll be more pretty that way and will make more sense, since I have been wanting to include some squares with back pockets. The raggy side will the denim side. With the fabric on the back coming through on the front, it should be really pretty.

Dunster - I already have two pair of spring-loaded scissors; one large and one "micro" set. My squares are 8x8, but I am only doing the single layer of backing - the denim and single flannel squares so be plenty warm for mom. =)

I have finished my mom's quilt! Here are some pics. =)

It's nice.. How many blisters from the snipping?
:)

It is really nice...and will only get nicer each time it is washed! Great job!

No blisters - spring-loaded scissors are the best! ;)

Thanks, Jane. It's still linting everywhere even after the first wash & dry. I'll run it again before I mail it off. $2.50 per wash is steep, but not killing the machines at home is worth it!

Wow. I've never seen them, I guess.

**
This is the pair I bought. I also have some larger scissors that are spring-loaded, but these are better for the smaller details. Super Spiffy!

http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/p...en=24726662619