I have not quilted in a long time and I am making a rag quilt to start out. I need some advice on the best pattern for the quilt. I saw an easy one that was just 9 inch squares (8 inch finished), I wondered if that was to large a block for a rag quilt.

I am making this quilt with homespun cotton as a trial because a couple of years ago I planned a rag quilt and bought some of the most beautiful flannel I have ever seen. I do not want to "learn" on that. It cost a couple of hundred dollars. Any advice would be great, I have looked around this site, but I would love some personal stories...

Thanks-

Michelle :D

I've made quite a few rag quilts. The guys in the family just LOVE them! The largest square I've used is 7 inch with 6 inch finished. Here is what I do to make my squares.

Place back fabric wrong side up
Place batting cut to finished size of block
Place top fabric right side up

Place marker dots at the 1 inch mark on all four corners
Stitch from mark to mark making a square
Stitch across diagonal twice making an X inside the stitched square

Place blocks together and stitch along stitching line to make a row.

Hope this helps.

I've many rag quilts from homespun. I layer and sew the way crashnquilt explained. One important tip I can give you is buy these scissors by Heritage Cutlery

[IMG]http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z23/sewbug/13033.jpg[/IMG]

The Fiskar's spring handle scissors are nice but cannot compare to these for cutting rag quilts. I have no hand fatigue at all using these scissors for snipping. the blades are razor sharp and they pop open with no drag at all. The blades are slightly rounded to prevent accidentally cutting into the seam.

Please post a pic of your rag quilt when you finish!!

I can't wait to see it!!

Never made one, but want to try someday. Post a picture when your done.

I've only made one with the five inch square, but I used flannel on the inside for batting and the back side. I used a regular cotton but think the homespun would be wonderful. It ravels so nicely on it's own. The Fiskar spring scissors are a must if you have arthritis especially.

Raggy quilts work up pretty fast if you cut all your layers, then lay them in a stacks, no pinning, I didn't mark mine, I used a built in leaf stitch to decorate and sew the inside of the squares. On the smaller squares I only cut a half inch in, but I can see on the larger block using a longer cut. That makes a lot of sense.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. I've even made purses and baby quilts using the raggy block. Just don't cut the squares until you have them all sewn together, I tried that on one and ended up with a real mess inside and out of my sewing machine.

Sharon

I've got "make a rag quilt" on my list of quilts to do......Can't wait to see a picture.......

I cut mine 7 inch squares and then just sew an X across the square. I don't mark the X just eyeball it :lol: Then sew then together in rows .
Sharon

I've made several rag quilts and love them. I think the easiest way is to sew an X on each block. That holds the batting down best IMO. If you aren't careful how you quilt the squares the batting can roll up between the layers. Oh my ..... when you wash them and dry them to get the raggedy look make sure you clean your washer and dryer lint trap out!!
Have fun with it and be sure and post a picture of the finished quilt. :D

Your advice is so helpful. I have never felt so much encouragement to begin work on any craft project, thanks for the well wishes. What kind of scissors were those blue handled ones?
You said they were not Fiskar???

Michelle

These scissors are a must have for me to make a rag quilt. :D

I use both the Fiskar's and the Heritage when clipping my rag quilts.

When I'm clipping a large quilt it's a nice change for my hands to grasp two different size handles.

I wash my rag quilts at the laundromat, because of all the lint they put out...don't want to clog my drains at home!! I just made one for my daughter for Christmas with a heart design in the middle. I used flannel and inside, warm and natural batting. I only cut the edges 1/2" instead of the 1" and I like it better.

On the one I just finished, I used 1/2" seam allowance. I've decided that if I do another one, I'll have to do 3/4" or 1". I cut through some of the seams when I was stitching! What a mess I had after I washed and dried it - had to re-sew about 8 different places. But it was fun and easy to do. There were 88 8" squares.

You got a lot of great advice here.....good luck and be sure to share when you get it done!;.....:-)

I use a twin needle when sewing a rag quilt especially when using homespun. That gives me double seams in case I do get to close while snipping into the first one and double seam lines will hold in the wash.

Bellaboo, thanks for that idea. I'll try it on the next rag quilt I do.

I sewed an X in half the squares and a spiral in the others before putting them into rows. made a nice design across the quilt. have fun :mrgreen:

I have a stitch on my phaff that double stitches with single needle.
I wash mine in my dog`s bed pillow case. I use good flannel but some from walmart and I don`t seem to have much to shake out for the birdfs.
I just finished this baby one with 4 inch finished3
Gale

I rarely get a lot of lint from flannel. The homespun will rag like crazy so check your dryer lint screen every 20 min.

I have made rag quilts with 9 to 10 inch squares and they were fine. I use cheap solid flannel for the middle layer (as batting). I wash everything first. The cutting is tedious but that takes all the time, the rest is easy. I have seen a rag quilt with a scalloped border and a Log Cabin rag quilt. Pretty clever.

Looking forward to seeing your post with a picture.

judee

I have used both 9 and 10 inch blocks (different quilts). I also sew an X across each block and I sew at 3/4 inch and clip at 1/2 inch. Good luck.

Judee...do you remember where you saw the scalloped border and log cabin design for the raggy quilts? I would love to see these.

owe a couple laps to good friends and have a lot of fleece leftovers. Does it do as well as flannels?
This is a great post, thanks, um...will go back and look for your name, wish they would put poster's name somewhere with replies to refer to...and thanks for all the great replies, although i am an observer here, lol!!! isn't it great the way one person starts a thread, and so many benefit. wouldn't expect anything less from this group. hugs to all!!! :D

thanks, coldtoesin michigan...wow, I coulda used that nick, but mine would have been 'hubby-says-git-them-cold-feet-offa-me' :lol:

I have made many of these quilts, both with larger blocks throughout (9" finishing to 7") and others. It doesn't matter as long as you make all the blocks the same size. Some of them I made had large blocks and then 4 small blocks that totalled the same size as the larger blocks to go in between the larger blocks. I have made them from denim with either flannel or batting inside for my grandsons who like to drag them everywhere and they have held up well. I used to make them to sell in a boutique in San Francisco until my hands finally said "that's enough". They make great gifts and everyone loves them. Just have fun with it.

I also use the Heritage snips. My hands don't fatigue using them. I make my seams 1/2" and clip very closely together. I love how it looks when clipped so close. Also, when I make my X, I use a stipple stitch. Love how that looks also.

I've made several. I love them. I think block size is a personal preference. I use smaller (5", 4" finished) for baby quilts, (9, 8" finished) for lap quilts. I make a star in mine, then stitch all the way around the edge just inside the seam line. I think as long as you use a good batting, they hold up pretty well. My son's has been washed many times and still looks great.

I did one for my future daughterinlaw for Christmas. I hope to attach a picture. I alternated a 9" block with two rectangle ragged together. I was privileged to use my friend's special machine to do a fancy stitch on the big blocks. I'm anxious to do another but won't use the fancy stitching.

Like the idea of washing it in a pillowcase. Does it work? I hate the laundramat!!!!

I have made many raggedy quilts. Log cabin, plain squares, embroidered...I even add Long sashing pieces to them...you just need to "quilt" the sashings pieces more than just an "x" or few lines the way you do to the squares.

I am working on two right now and should have them finished this week. Will post pics. I use a triple stitch to join them...the one that goes forward and backward. I dont use osnaberg in the middle...for me two layers of flannel is warm enough, but the osnaberg really makes the edges "rag/ruffle" prettier.

Margie

I do my rag quilts a bit differently. I do not use the batting in the middle layer. I have done both homespun and flannel quilts this way. I buy a less expensive, or if I can get the fabric on sale, homespun or flannel fabric that have the color the same on both sides. I cut this fabric the same size as the other two and use it as the batting. It will then fray along with the top and back layers and gives a really fluffy feel to it. I still sew the layers together with a design, possibly and "X" or a heart or spiral.

I really love the look of your rag quilts. Do you mean that you cut all 3 layers the same size and just sew through all 3 layers or do you cut the inner layer 2" smaller as you would if using a batting?

I cut all three layers the same size, sew through all three and snip the seam allowances on all three. It really makes the seams bloom, and cuts out the tedious job of cutting and placing the batting. Mine is a three ply sandwich, so to speak.

That's what I did with the one pictured above. The flannel that I used in the middle really made the other colors POP when it frayed!!

How cute Gale! I like them made out of flannel and homespun .... they are both totally different looks.

How smart of you! I have seen them done by others where the person was affraid they wouldn't catch the filler in the seams so sewed a bigger seam .. then when they snipped the quilt you could see the stuffing. I like your idea,
so much easier!! :thumbup:

I also love to make rag quilts.I made my grandkids rag quilts for christmas. I used flannel an made a bear, rabbit an a cat. Very easy and very cute. I got the pattern from Handcocks Fabric.

Hi Quilters,
I have been reading about making rag quilts and I want to ask: What is a rag quilt ?

I've never heard of them and it sounds like something I would like to do.

Where cuold I find instructions.

Thanks, Lilly.

Michelle,
Consider checking with local quilt shops to find someone with the accucut rag quilt template. If they have it, they may cut it for you. The templates come with the fringe already cut. The batting size is perfect. It only takes a brief time to cut it. My advice on washing - go to the laundry to do it. Last xmas I did one and the day after xmas it cost me $250 for the pipes to be snaked. There is a rough texture on the cast iron pipes, perfect for snagging those threads. Pretty soon they build up and a blockage occurs. Much cheaper at the laundromat.
Happy stitching