Help with rag quilt
 

I made my first quilt--a rag quilt for my granddaughter for Christmas. (see attached) Now I would like to make a St. Louis Cardinal rag quilt for my grandson. However, I have only been able to find Cardinal fabric in flannel. Does anyone know if that will ravel for the "rag" look when I wash it?

Flannel is all that I have ever used for rag quilts. I didn't even realize you could use anything else. I have made quite a few flannel rag quilts, and I always use two squares of flannel and no batting. They are very comfortable and warm.

Thanks for your help. For the black and white one I made from cotton, I took it to a laundromat so I wouldn't clog up my washer and dryer. So I shouldn't use any batting? If not, that will make it much easier.

I will purchase the flannel and get started on my next project.

I use three layers of flannel, all cut the same size, in my rag quilts. You don't really have to have 3 layers, but it gives more fabric to rag, as well as a warmer quilt. I always prewash the flannel since it shrinks more than regular quilting cotton.

I made my first rag quilt recently. I used flannel for the front and fleece for the back. No batting. I'm really happy with it.

My question is where did you find ST Louis Cardinal flannel? I would love to get my hands on some MLB flannel. I can find fleece - but no flannel or cotton. I found cotton on Ebay - but they want way too much for very small pieces.

I have only made rag quilts with flannel. According to the directions, they tell you to use flannel. I think you will love it once its done. Even though I use flannel I do sandwich it with a smaller piece of batting and sew an X thru it to hold it together.

I, too, use flannel for my rag quilts.

I do take it to the laundromat to finish the ragging process there - after snipping the fabric at home I take it to the laundromat, get it wet, and put it in the industrial sized dryer without heat til most of the threads drop away. I end up with a whale of a lot of thread lint this way. When no more thread lint, I dry the quilt.

Mine too is made with flannel. and YES take your rag quilt to the Laundromat for the first washing!! My best friend had to call a plumber to unclog the pipes from washing too many rag rugs !!

Flannels can vary from very flimsy to very hefty.

Flannel is a champion raveler!

Directions? We're supposed to follow directions? 30 plus rag quilts later and now I find out?????? lol

Fabric.com has all kinds of professional sport fabric, including St. Louis Cardinal flannel. Thanks for all of your help.

Now another question. Is fleece the same as flannel?

No, fleece and flannel are not the same thing. Flannel is lighter weight and cotton usually, fleece is polyester and more dense. I have made rag quilts with denim on one side and flannel on the other, and flannel on one side and cotton on the other. They are easy to make and fairly quick.

I would think flannel is one of the best fabrics for the rag quilts. I use both flannel and cotton (sometimes even the poly/cotton blend) and the flannel always rags nicely for me.

I am working on a rag quilt but it is a lot different this go round. I am basically just putting together squares and rectangles, and I am using flannel, cotton, and even poly/cotton blends. It will take me forever but I washed one row of it, and I like the result. Oh, and I am using muslin for the batting this time. And no 'X' in the middle. I am doing a little free motion quilting on most of the squares.

Serita

...so would fleece ravel for the rag quilt?

I made eight rag quilts out of flannel for my g-kids for Christmas (used only two layers). They turned out great and all the g-kids loved them.

I was going to try my first rag quilt soon and all these tips help, especially going to wash somewhere else.

I always used home- spun fabric for my rag quilts. Home- spun is usually plaid men's shirts. I get them cheap in very large sizes at Goodwill or thrift stores. Yes, take it to the laundramat for the first couple washings.

No, it will not ravel.

Fleece is a knitted product, almost always man made fabric, and for the most part, it's stretchy. It will not rag out like a woven will.

Flannel is woven and brushed to produce a soft feel. You can find flannel in several fabric contents and weights from very light weight for sleepwear up to heavier flannel for suiting and coats. All the weights and fabric contents will do an excellent job of ragging out.

Mine are super simple. I use the width of the fabric for strips across. I have used all sorts of finishes and fabric contents, Different flannels, quilting cottons, duck, corduroy, denim, pillow ticking, tried some formal wear wovens but they are a pain in the patoot. Most of my rag quilts are from reclaimed fabrics. Sheets & curtains and dust ruffles. Right now I'm looking for a lime green corduroy to match a homespun pink & green plaid dust ruffle I reclaimed a couple weeks ago. going to be very pretty if I can find what I want for the other fabris.

I have used cotton to make rag quilts and it works fine. However, I do make my cuts closer together.

What size squares do you use on a baby quilt? And what size seams?

I've used almost all types of cotton fabrics, regular cotton, flannel, and my favorite is homespun or brushed cotton. I like the homespuns because they are the same color on both sides so when the quilt "rags" you don't see much if any of the white underside. Most of the time I use a 3/4 to 1 inch seam.
As to washing - well many- laundromats have signs saying NO to rag quilts. I wash mine at home. When drying I check the filter about every 5-10 minutes to clean it during the drying process.
My adult kids love the raggies they seem to be their favorite.

Just wanted to say that your black and white quilt is so sophisticated looking!

I made a rag quilt using the bottom parts and sleeves of T-shirts. I have made 4 bed-size t-shirt quilts, and saved the parts that were not used to make the rag quilt. I cut rectangles and sewed those together to made a good size lap quilt. I'm sure the seams will not frag like flannel might, but it was heave and comfortable for sitting on the sofa in the evenings.

Yes, I do the same. My cuts are very close too.

I have so many 8 inch denim squares cut up for a rag quilt. now to decide what fabric to use with that. Your suggestions of fleece and flannel sound wonderful as it has been so doggone cold. But, knowing me I won't get it done til the weather breaks and one of the kids would lay claim to it before I got it on the bed! I have never made a quilt that I got to keep. ever. Gramma may have to put her foot down on this one! or maybe I'll make a few small ones for my pups first. Either way I'm going to start one as soon as I get dinner started. You folks are such good coaches and teachers and cheerleaders-all rolled in to one!

If I had some lime green corduroy, I'd send it to you...

You should post a pic of your rag quilts. I'd love to see them.

So obviously I am a newbie to quilting; the black and white rage quilt was my very first one and the alternating black and white backing drove me crazy. I obviously did not know the difference between flannel and fleece; you all have been so helpful to my first posting.

Since I can not find St. Louis Cardinal flannel (unless I cut up my husband's pajamas which would make for lots of unhappiness here), could I use the fleece material to make a log cabin quilt with a flannel backing?

Thanks so much for all of your help.

since this board was redone a few years back, I am not able to post pictures. Sorry

You could-----------but

I'd not try a log cabin myself. I'd try larger squares, more on the order of 10". And remember, the fleece will not ravel. It will curl a bit however.

Thanks; I think it's best not to use a rag quilt and try to find a way to use the fleece in a more traditional quilt. Does anyone have suggestions for a very simple quilt that would work with the fleece and use stitch in the ditch for quilting?

All good tips...Thanks...

HOw about big STC fleece with alternating blocks of red or black or even a check or plaid of red, black and white

Flannel is all I use also. The flannel is very soft