Quiltingboard Forums - Rag Quilt Tutorial

Let me start by saying.... This was my first rag quilt but it was so easy and turned out so nice that I thought I'd share.

This is a small rag quilt -28" x 28" - which is a good size for a baby, a pet, or a table topper. The size depends on how many blocks you make and the size of the blocks. These are five-inch fabric squares with four-inch batting squares.

Finished rag quilt

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Choose your fabrics - I used pre-cut charm packs and some other fabrics from my stash

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Lay the squares out to see how you want them arranged. I used 49 squares to make seven rows of seven squares.

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Keeping the squares in order, stack them up along with your squares of batting and backing. I cut the batting into four-inch squares so they would not be in the seam allowance. If you use flannel you can cut them the same size as your blocks. It will make the raggy part fluffier. Use a 1/2 inch seam allowance or larger if you are using larger squares.

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Place a piece of batting in the center of a backing square. Place the top fabric on top face up. Pin all three layers together to keep them from shifting during sewing.

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Sew an X across each block. A walking foot helps make this job a little easier. Otherwise, you may get a little pucker as you cross the first seam with the second seam.

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Now you have all your blocks finished and quilted. They should still be in the order you had them laid out.

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Now you can begin sewing the blocks together in rows. Sew with the seam allowance facing the front side (top) of your quilt.

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Sew the rows together, matching seams, and sewing the seams open. I sewed these to one side but did another one open and it worked better. You don't need to press with an iron, just finger pressing is fine. Sew all the way around the outside edges twice one half inch from edges.

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With very sharp pointed scissors, snip the seam allowance approximately every quarter inch being careful not to snip through your stitches.

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Here is the back side. I choose to use three colors which made keeping things in order very important so the pattern would work out on the back.

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Oops! I skipped this one of the clipping process.

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Here's the finished quilt again. Before washing, I took it outside and gave it a real good shake to get rid of all the little snippets of thread and fabric. I shook until I didn't see much flying around anymore. The dryer lint was still very interesting :-) Charm packs are available on my website (see my signature line below) and if you have any questions please send me a PM. Thanks :-)

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