Question on rag quilts
 

I got my blocks cut out and ready to put my rag quilt together, my question is do I sew my X's in the squares before I sew the seams together or after the quilt is all sew together as a whole. My direction say after, but I thought it was before you sew the the seams together. Or does it make any diffrence? Did that make sense?

Make your sandwich...top, batting, and bottom fabrics... And then sew the X. Atleast that is the way i was taught. Have to put the X before you connect the blocks together.... I think it is because the batting would end up shifting if you waited till afterwards. Hope this helps. :)

Yes, sew the x before. It would be very difficult to do this after the blocks are sewn together, because of the heavy seams.

the x is to hold your sandwiches together while you construct your quilt- so they need to be stitched before joining into rows.

Here's a great visual instruction site for rag quilts, it's the one I used when I learned. Sometimes "seeing" helps. I don't use a walking foot when I make these, just a regular foot seems to work ok.

http://greenappleorchard.blogspot.co...-tutorial.html

always before.

i have made many rag quilts (as you can tell by my avatar -lol) i used to sew the x but then i read where depending on the size of the blocks (if they are under 8 inches) and depending on if you use flannel for all three layers there is no need to sew the x. lately i have been making them with just the top flannel and the bottom flannel - no batting between. it makes a lighter weight quilt but is quite warm. i am making two right now - one is large squares and don't know what i was thinking but forgot to sew the x so i may make a square in each one but the other one is smaller 5 inch squares - on that one i won't sew an x throught it. again it is purely a matter of choice.

Thanks everyone! That is what I thought but either I misunderstood the directions or it said the later. I hope to get the x's sewn tonite and maybe if I am lucky I can get it together tomorrow and start clipping!!! My first rag quilt so I am excited to see it together!
I am making this one with flannel in the middle, (3 layers) and my next one I am going to just do two layers for a summer one.

Does it have to be flannel? Can I use regular 100% quilting cottons?? Thanks Teresa

oh before you sew!! it goes very fast........

a couple of words of advice here: make sure you have clippers (spring loaded) to save your hands! and remember to take it to the laundromat to wash and dry the first time cuz you don't want to mess up YOUR washing machine with all the little threads!

I have always sewn my "x" in before sewing the blocks together.

I have made rag quilts with cotton fabric top and bottom, but always use a batting between. Works just fine. I do the x before sewing together. They are fun and fast!! I always take mine to the laundro mat to wash and dry.

You can use quilting cottons. :) I've seen them where they mixed the flannel with the cotton. Comes out beautiful.

I have always made the smaller blocks and I don't even bother sewing the x in them. They hold up fine.

No one says it has to be an "X" ... you can do any quilting design you want: hearts, triangles, whatever.

I agree with ragqueen03 take it to the laundromat. I put mine in the dryer without any heat til the last time.

Fiskars rag snips are better than great. You can easily cut through all layers quickly with them.

Have fun,

ali

Thank You Hperttula123 and eann, I had been told of this time of quilt years ago and was hoping I had remembered correctly. All of you on this QB are such great helpers. Wish I had my fabric stash here with me....but it is waiting on be back home in Virginia. Teresa