??? about rag quilt.....
 

I need to ask all you rag quilter's your opinion.....I have made all my rag quilts using denim and flannel on 1 side and cotton and flannel on the other...... Well, now I want to try all cotton with flannel as the batting. Do I need to sew a X through all the squares??? When I used the denim I never did. But I have been reading different patterns and they say to cut all the squares the same size and sew a X through them before sewing your strips....Was just wondering what your idea is on this.....Thanks

I have never sewn any X's in my rag quilts, because I use flannel as batting and cut all 3 layers the same size. That means there is nothing inside to shift around, and all 3 layers are ragged.

I may be wrong, but I assumed the X was to hold loose batting in place, since it's most like cut a hair less than the finished block (or strip) is going to be.

my X is for decorative purposes... there's no need to hold anything from moving.. unless i use batting, but i dont. its always denim or flannel..

I did not sew an X in the middle of my rag quilt blocks (cotton around flannel). I did strip piece them to make it easier on myself for the FSU one - http://quiltingcorgis.blogspot.com/2...s-journey.html - as I made 4 patch and rail fence blocks in addition to the plain block.

Cheers, K

I never do, just extra work.Maybe I am lazy but I do not feel it is needed.

thank you so much....your answer is exactly what I wanted to hear:)

If you are using flannel as batting, be sure you pre wash it. Flannel has a reputation of shrinking.

I only did one rag quilt and I did sew an "X" thru it. Doesn't take that long and gives a special finished look to the quilt. I am happy that I did. I did an all flannel one.

I've always sewn the x in the square! It does take extra time but I feel that it needs the extra sewing so I won't have a problem later on.