Ok, i am really just beginning my knowledge of quilting. I really like the look of the rag quilts i've seen and want to make one myself.. am i right to understand that the top quilt block, the batting and the backing are sewn together by blocks? that you really don't add the fluffy batting like you do on a real quilt, but instead use flannel? and you really end up with a reversable quilt? What's the best fabric to use for the top and backing?

You CAN use cotton fabric (like prints and stuff) but my personal opinion is that the all flannel ones look the best. layer either three or four pieces, sew an X or whatever design in the middle of the block, then sew the blocks together with a 1/2-1 inch seam allowance, whichever way you want, with the seams to the FRONT! Sew a seam using the same seam allowance all the way aound the outside. Clip the seam allowance every 1/4 inch (don't clip THROUGH the seam), take it to the laundromat wash and dry a couple times and your good! I say do it at the laundromat because it will shred ALL OVER and I know I don't want all that in my washer and dryer.

When I make them I like to use high quility quilters flannel because it doesn't pill when washed and dried several times.

I read that when you use regular batting, then cut the batting square smaller by the amount of your seam allowance. That way the batting won't poke out. Never tried it though.

I have made Chenille quilts with flannel and boy do they ravel nicely. Regular cotton just doesn't get the same effect.

do you use flannel for all three layers?

i have made them with cotton on top & 2 layers of flannel because the flannel fringes good, the cotton not so much. I have also done them with just 2 layers of flannel so they are not so heavy, then I put them inside a pillow case or cloth laundry bag to wash them so that the fuzz does not get all in the machine.

I always use flannel for all the layers because it makes the "rag" fuller. If you use batting (cut the size of the square -seam allowance) then you only have two layers of fabric to actually ravel! useing the flannel for all layers also saves time because I can cut all the blocks at the same time. I layer the fabric the way I will sew the blocks with the back on the bottom and work my way up. I then cut the blocks and I don't have to worry about matching all the blocks up later!

If you DO choose to use batting for the center instead of flannel I would use something like warm and natural!