"I made 5 rag quilts for me grandkids for Christmas. I bought all the material from Joann's and washed them all [to help "rag" the quilts]. I can honestly say that none of them pilled. Guess I was just lucky. "

I believe that was because you didn't pre-wash and the batting which I'm guessing you did the X held it togther and helped prevented the fuzzies. Yet those rag quilts will not hold up sorry to let you know and will show wear very quickly. It's the same with the cheaper big box homespun fabric. I will no longer waste my money on the cheaper flannel or homespun those made from these lasted about a year with normal use but the one I made with the high end fabric (LQS) from maybe 10 years ago are still color wise, fabric and just as nice when I gave them as gifts look like I had made them a few weeks ago and they are used, washed often.