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?

I have seen many at 10 inches. Just depends on how you want it to look.

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.

Great idea, Tothill. I will do that. Thank you.

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.

Why do you not have the x in the center of each block?

Do you the plain flannel in the middle to replace batting? I guess I don't understand. Sorry

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.

I cut mine 6" x 9" and make a brick type layout. The odd rows start with a full block, and the even rows start with a half block.

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

All of the rag quilts that I've made, I started out with 10" flannel squares and 8" batting squares. They are big and simple and warm. Oh so warm! I usually make the quilt 7 blocks by 9 blocks. Good luck!

Here's a tutorial that doesn't use batting. Super easy and fun.

http://www.beverlys.com/rag-quilt-how-to.html

My daughter 7 I do 7" flannel. some flannelis are wider than others. We do a lot of them & decided That was gooduse of yardage. We use 7x8, 9, or 10 depending on who quilt is for 7x8 for baby . Any fabric left over we keep & incoroporate in another quilt. We sometimes use 7 fabrics in quilt or 2 depends on what we or alternate 3 fabrics. but cut them 7".. they are fun 7 warm.

You can make it any size you want. The 8-10" sizes are about the smallest I would consider.

I like to make mine with 9" flannel squares (this will get three rows out of a yard), and 8" batting squares. I do put an X through the center of each block. My daughter was being silly here, in front of the quilt I made her last year.

My best friend did her rag quilt with 10" squares and it was really nice for her husband.

Susn

My guess is that flannel sticks to flannel, so no "X" is needed?

I do most of mine with strips WOF, and then as long a I like. Always welcome, always good looking, always quick to do.

I like to cut my blocks in 8 or 10 inch squares for the best use cross-wise of the fabric. I do not use batting on flannel quilts, but use a complementary color flannel for three layers. This way it makes the fluff or fringe much fluffier especially for baby quilts. I do not need to sew the "x" in the middle as all the seams are sewn together. I f I use batting for adult quilts, I spray baste the batting to one of the pairs of squares which makes it easier to sew them together. I have used homespun for adult quilts. My husband calls his "His Magic Quilt" as every time he uses it he goes right to sleep.