How big squares for rag quilt
12-16-2014, 07:22 AM
#1
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Join Date: Oct 2013
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How big squares for rag quilt
I want to whip up a rag quilt as a lap quilt for the sofa (I have an irresistible urge to work with flannel today), and I went to my flannel stash and I think I have enough. I've only made blocks at 5" in the past, but that's quite small. I'm wondering how large is reasonable size for the blocks of a rag quilt? I'm thinking 8" or 10. Any thoughts from those of you who have made rag quilts?
12-16-2014, 07:31 AM
#3
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Vancouver Island, Beautiful BC
Posts: 2,090
I have used various sized blocks. 8 inches was the largest, but only because I was using old jeans for the back and that was the best size for getting the most usable fabric from the jeans.
My personal preference is to not use batting. With denim it is heavy enough with one layer of denim and one of flannel. With all flannel, I like to use a coordinating solid flannel in the middle. You get fluffier edges and you do not have the X the centre of each block.
I just realized I did do one 10 or maybe 12 inch block one. It was someone else's UFO. Every other block was a 4 patch.
My personal preference is to not use batting. With denim it is heavy enough with one layer of denim and one of flannel. With all flannel, I like to use a coordinating solid flannel in the middle. You get fluffier edges and you do not have the X the centre of each block.
I just realized I did do one 10 or maybe 12 inch block one. It was someone else's UFO. Every other block was a 4 patch.
12-16-2014, 10:33 AM
#5
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,131
I did one with 8" cut flannel squares. Just depends on the look you want. You won't have as much of the curling flannel with a larger square. I would certainly make sure on that size to stitch thru the center of the square. I am amazed at the creativity of what you can do in addition to just a square anymore.
12-16-2014, 02:45 PM
#6
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Arizona
Posts: 7,850
Why do you not have the x in the center of each block?
Originally Posted by Tothill
I have used various sized blocks. 8 inches was the largest, but only because I was using old jeans for the back and that was the best size for getting the most usable fabric from the jeans.
My personal preference is to not use batting. With denim it is heavy enough with one layer of denim and one of flannel. With all flannel, I like to use a coordinating solid flannel in the middle. You get fluffier edges and you do not have the X the centre of each block.
I just realized I did do one 10 or maybe 12 inch block one. It was someone else's UFO. Every other block was a 4 patch.
My personal preference is to not use batting. With denim it is heavy enough with one layer of denim and one of flannel. With all flannel, I like to use a coordinating solid flannel in the middle. You get fluffier edges and you do not have the X the centre of each block.
I just realized I did do one 10 or maybe 12 inch block one. It was someone else's UFO. Every other block was a 4 patch.
12-16-2014, 03:10 PM
#8
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: just west of Gilroy, Ca.
Posts: 235
I just cut up some flannel in 10" squares for a rag quilt, I normally make smaller squares or do strips. Figure I will do an X on them so they dont shift too much. I just use another flannel for the batting, so end up with 3 layers of flannel, I like that better than trying to do a regular batting.
12-17-2014, 02:39 AM
#10
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
My last one I cut 11" squares, 10" batting; blocks finished @ 10" I wanted the quilt to be 50" X 70". Came out great. I did X my squares to hold the batting-- if you do not use batting you do not have to do the X. It keeps the batting from shifting, separating
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