OK....first let me say a huge THANK YOU to everyone on this board! I found this board a month or so after I lost my father back in July...ya'll have not only given me GREAT quilting help but have also given me friendships to help me through difficult times. As many of you know, my mother became ill last week and passed away on Sunday. I must say that losing both parents in 4 months has been the most difficult challenge I have faced thus far. Without this board and my "Midnight Owl Club" friends on chat, I don't know what I would do. So again, my sincere thanks!

Now....my latest call for HELP! :D Because of everything that has occurred, I am VERY behind in getting quilts made for my family for Christmas. We were already having a difficult time financially so I was doing quilts...now with Mom's funeral cost, I really need to do quilts! So...I am changing the patterns to make some very FAST and EASY quilts. I just have a couple of questions that I need clarified mainly because I think my brain is on "pause" LOL!

1. When doing a Rag Quilt, can I use cotton on the top and then flannel on the bottom?
2. Also with rag quilts, I remember some said that they left a little over an inch for cutting. How much did you cut? Like 1 and 1/4????
3. If I am tying a quilt, what type of batting would allow the most room between ties in order to save time? I was thinking of using decorative buttons for the "ties" in order to make it cute but want to make sure there are enough ties.
4. I'm afraid that there is no way I will have time to hand bind the quilts before Christmas given that I still have to go back to Texas for my Mom's "Celebration of Life" service on the 18th. I know some of you have done binding by machine. What do you think of me making the backing big and then folding it to the front and using a decorative stitch??

Thanks ahead of time for your help!!!

1. Yes, but I would prewash the flannel so that it will shrink the second time with the cotton. don't prewash the cotton.

2. 1/2" to 1" seams would work for the rag quilt, I like to use a very narrow zig zag stitch on the seams. Clip up to an 1/8" of the seam line.

3. Nothing at all wrong with wrapping around the batting, using a decorative stitch to sew it down, very pretty accent.

4. Check out the poly battings, they may be your best bet for tying wider areas. Each company/type has different requirements :wink:

If you can afford warm and natural batting, you don't have to quilt very closely. Their web site says "quilt or tie 10" apart.

You are definitely in my prayers. I'm sorry about your mom and dad. This will be a bittersweet holiday for you. I lost my mom right before Christmas, and I always have lots of different emotions at the holiday. I love Christmas music, but it always makes me cry.

As for your questions, just do what helps you get done and get by. Here's my opinion, for all it's worth (not much at last accounting (O: !
1. I don't see why not. They're both cotton, as long as they've been prewashed and preshrunk. But even that may not be a critical issue when time is paramount.
2. If I want my block to be 8", I cut them 10". Then sew a 1" seam on all sides, clip to pretty close to the stitch line.
3. I don't know which batting allows the most spacing, but about the buttons, just make sure they aren't for little guys. They might be a choking hazard. Other than that, cute idea!
4. I just did one that way. I folded the back to the front, and used a decorative stitch to stitch it down. Turned out really cute!

Good luck and take care of yourself.

I am so sorry you have lost both parents is such a short time. When I was 18 I lost my favorite grandmother (my dad's mother) on my dad's birthday, then lost my dad 2 months later just a few days before Thanksgiving. This was devastating to me at that age. You have to move on as best you can. As far as the quilting, do what you can and know that the people receiving them will understand. I agree with using warm and natural; you don't have to quilt close together. Tying in the center of each square would be enough. The buttons sounds cute, but also think of comfort and washability. I would go with just tying. I use embroidery floss or worsted weight acrylic yarn.

If time and money is your problem you might consider making no sew fleece throws this year. There are so many beautiful pieces of fleece to match what ever a person interests are.

Directions here:

http://collectibles.about.com/od/val...leecethrow.htm

JoAnns has their fleece on sale this time of year so I think you can make them for less than $10 each and they are so easy you could do them in less than a day each.
Next year you could make a regular quilt for each during the year.

Sorry about your loss.

So sorry for your losses. I wish you lived closer because I would help you quilt them.

My thoughts are with you. I still miss my mom more than anything in the world. My rock. You need to remember to do for you. Everyone else that really matters will understand if you don't get your projects done. If they don't - who cares? The presents can arrive in March and you will get the same positive reaction to them. Keep yourself busy - and sane. You deserve it in this difficult time. God bless.

I'm so sorry to hear of all your pain and loss. I hope the new year will be a better one for you.
I just want to say that you can do a binding by machine. I have done it many times and usually use a pretty stitch to make it show up. It holds up even better than a hand sewn one so I use it for quilts that are donated to Wrap-a-Smile and others that are going to other countries or children in general.

Gail,

My heart aches for you. I have lost both my parents as well, but it was 33 years between them. My Mom passed away almost 4 years ago and I miss her more than I would ever have imagined. Your family will understand if you don't get the quilts done by Christmas. They will treasure them whenever they get them.

As for the rag quilts, I have even used inexpensive blankets from Walmart as the middle batting. I could not tell a difference in them and the cotton batting. Just make sure to get soft blankets, not rough feeling ones. They have been washed many times and still look great.

Sorry to hear of your loss. Will be praying for you and your family.

[quote=susiequilt]If time and money is your problem you might consider making no sew fleece throws this year. There are so many beautiful pieces of fleece to match what ever a person interests are.

Directions here:

http://collectibles.about.com/od/val...leecethrow.htm

JoAnns has their fleece on sale this time of year so I think you can make them for less than $10 each and they are so easy you could do them in less than a day each.
Next year you could make a regular quilt for each during the year.

I agree - this is a wonderful idea. You certainly don't need the added stress of finishing projects right now & working on them during the year may be very theraputic for you. My heart aches for you - losing parents is one of life's hardest thing to get through. Be good to yourself.

I'm sorry for your troubles. Hugs and prayers are coming your way!

So sorry for both of your losses...and so close together...I hope you do get the Christmas quilts done...but if for some reason you can't I am sure that giving IOU's instead would be totally understood...try not to put too much pressure on yourself at this time...you are grieving and need to take time for that and make sure you get lots of rest....just do what you can...and the rest can be done after the holidays.
Take care!

Qbee, I fully understand your sorrow. 10 years ago I lost my mother and sister within five weeks. And, strangely, my mom passed on Dec. 9th which happened to be the same day my father passed 54 years earlier.
I would not stress out over the quilts. Your family, above all else, understand the situation. You can always have Christmas later when everyone is feeling better. Suggestions above are good. Take your time, move as the spirit leads you. God Bless you!

Sending prayers for peace and comfort. Judy

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I lost both of my parents in a very short time recently and it is difficult. I think that I would tell your family that you just can't "do" Christmas in the regular way this year. Just don't hurry and rush your quilts. Christmas is about family and being together and not about the gifts. Explain to all of them that making their quilts this winter will be your "grief therapy". As you stitch you can think about your family past and how these quilts will be a bridge to the family future. Christmas Blessings to all.

So sorry for your loss.

Give yourself a hug from me. We feel for you as we are dealing with grief and loss this year too. I agree with all the suggestions posted so far. Tying or tacking with your machine is a quick way to hold your sandwich together. You can use a soft blanket (old or new) or something like warm and natural and it can be tied pretty far apart. Folding the back over the edge is pretty and fast. If possible, allow enough for a double layer of fabric or your edge will fray out within just a few years.

Rag directions have already been given. Good luck! I would help you if I were closer.

Thanks so much everyone. As usual ya'll have been my major support! I already have the fabric so the expenses are over. It is the time that will be and issue and I agree with ya'll in that if I can't get them all done, they will just have to understand. THANKS!!!

I don't know what patterns you have but have you thought of doing "quilt as you go" with strips for any of them.

I am so sorry about the loss of your father and mother - so close and at the holidays. I see you as a very brave and strong person - still thinking of others even in your sorrow. All of the "help" instructions are great and I have nothing to add. Just want you to know I am thinking of you. The best to you and your loved ones. Y

So sorry for your loss. Hugs

I am so sorry for your losses. I lost both my parents 21 days apart last year and have been quilting ever since. Great therapy! I found this site shortly after and have been blessed by the many Bible verses and quotations below signatures. I am trying to use some of my mother's stash. It is satisfying. Don't push yourself. Begin enjoying life and celebrate the years you had with each of your parents.. JUDY

Obee, Sorry for the loss of youre parents. Put youre quilting aaide and do the bnest you can do with out youre parents this Holiday. We are all prayering for you. Remember you are in our thought today and everyday. Marifromokee

just a comment - i made 2 rag quilts for baby and didn't put any batting inside - just 3 layers of cotton on one and just 2 layers (front & back) on the other. all cotton is best if you want them to great real ragged.

so sorry about your losses, I lost both my G/Parents who brought me up when I was 21 ,one died November other following March, it will take time to grieve and come to terms with it but hopefully the rest of your family will comfort you over xmas.

Most batting packages show how far apart you can quilt. Some friends and I are doing my DD's quilts for Christmas and are trying them since it is so much faster. Also, I couldn't afford to have 2 queen quilts longarmed.

Be sure on the rag quilt to do that slight zig zag like someone said. Of course, the reason my seams might be coming apart is I used flannel on top and fleece on the back and made the mistake of using thin batting between. Waaaaay too heavy. Would have been great for my daughter when their electricity was out in an ice storm for 3 weeks.

someone just did a toutorial on binding you can make and machine sew it.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

I'm so sorry for your lost, and understand the impact, I lost my mom and sister 5 months apart in 2004, I'm still grieving.. God Bless you and your family...

Greetings Gail,

During this deeply painful time of your life... may God gather you close, giving you comfort as you journey through your grief. Prayerfully, the beautiful memories you hold close to your heart will sustain you in the days to come..... knowing that as long as they remain in your heart........ your wonderful parents will forever be!

You HONOR them by celebrating their lives and remembering the joy they brought into your world. Hold those memories close as they will give you strength in the days to come.....

Will keep thoughts of you, and send up prayers that you travel safely to your destination on the 18th and upon your journey home.

P.S. Try not to fret over getting the quilts done......surely everyone will understand.


Angel Blessings...........Anna Adelia

I have no words to even say to express my sincere sympathy for your overwhelming grief. Hugs and prayers are with you from Wendy in Nova Scotia

Quick machine binding with flange it's in the toturials

I am very sorry for your losses and will pray for you. Good luck on the quilts. I thin k your time saving ideas are great but don't stress out if you don't get them all done. Just give them a card with an IOU in it for a future quilt.

So sorry for your loss, aren't you glad that you have quilting to act as a stablizer when you don't know what direction to go?
Whatever you do, know that there are lots of people on this board that will be thinking of you!

I was making a table runner last week and I sewed the binding onto the back and wrapped it to the front where I sewed it down with my machine, it came out very nice on both sides.

I am so sorry for your loss, I will keep you in my prayers.

My heart goes out to you during this tough Holiday Season. Quilt till you wilt and it will be easier, I would just birth the quilts myself, but the self binding from the back works well too. BTW Merry Christmas