Originally Posted by
Joyfilled
Hello everyone! I'm brand new to quilting....sewing for that matter. So new, I've never made a quilt! I have high aspirations though. I have 4 kids, and want to make each of them a rag quilt for Christmas. The finished product will be 9" blocks (12" to start with), 7 x 5. I have no idea if I'm even saying this in correct quilting terms, so please bear with me.
My question is this: I have all the material that I need to make them, including batting for the middle. Some cotton fabrics and some flannel, with minky (is that what it's called?) fabric for the background. The thing is, I'm hearing a LOT of different opinions on this. My aunt says I shouldn't mix the fabrics. Others say there is no problem. Some say that I should wash everything before I cut and sew, others that I shouldn't. ARGH! So many different opinions!! What do you all think? Can anyone offer me some tried and true advice? I'd appreciate it so very much!
I plan on just working on one quilt at a time, and finish as I'm able....although the goal is Christmas, I'm hoping for the best!
Edited to add: I also know the basics of sewing, and am confident I can sew in a straight line....haha!
I like to keep fabric that ravels, so I'd never use the minky which is knitted. That is my personal preference. I'd also not use batting. Instead I'd find a solid color heavyweight flannel for the center layer. IMO, cutting batting, fitting it in, and then securing it is just work I'm not interested in.
I've written this so much someone is going to ban me from repeating it. FLANNEL is a fabric finish, not a fiber content. The flannel is most likely cotton, but may contain other fibers, and could be wool. If it's wool, which is a fiber, you'll need to do some serious pre-shrinking. IMO, the main considerations for a rag quilt-------------DOES IT RAVEL? And, has it been shrunk as far as it's going to shrink. Hopefully yes to both
And if you have denim (also a fabric finish, not a fiber content) you can use it in a rag blanket, even if it's stretch denim or has some poly in it.
And you can find cotton (fiber content) that is knitted. Not good since it won't ravel.