I know Rag quilts would be great with flannels and fleece. Would denim be a good candidate? Does just regular quilting cottons fray enough afterwards or should those not be used? I'm thinking of buying the rag die for my Accuquilt Studio and would like to know what fabrics I should avoid using.

I like the denims ones I made, I don't really like the regular cotton ones I made. It didn't fray enough for me.

That's what I was thinking too...

Does the denim fray well ?

I made one from homespun cottons and really liked the way it turned out (pics below). It frayed very well.

I used levis and they frayed well, so I would think new denim would also fray.
The first rag quilts were all made with homespun because it frays really well, it is much different than regular quilting cotton.

Denim will fray well old washed 100 times,new denim yardage it all will look the same when clipped. I have made many and used both in the same quilt and they look good.

denims and cottons all fray good, some tighter weaves you may want to clip alittle more and thin cottons i use multiple layers of to give more body to the frayed area. sometimes people will use a layer of flannel inside to add to the fraying edge.

It really is just a matter of personal preference.

I made several & used denim with flannel & homespun. They all frayed well.

I have seen a lot of those lately. Are they really hard to make?

Would someone please describe "homespun" to me?

I've taught a few rag quilt classes, homespun fabrics that are woven, fray the best, flannel, next best, cotton, next. I haven't tried denim, but others say it frays and looks good too, with a flannel back.

Homespun is usually plaid or striped fabric that looks the same on both sides, or good two sided, like batiks. They are woven fabrics versus printed which is good one side. There is also brushed homespun which feels like flannel on one side and regular homespun on the other.
Hope this helps.

Remember how well our denim jeans frayed on the hems. It was a 60's fashions statement.

I have made several denim rag quilts and they are great. They are heavy and warm, so I don't use any batting in them.

beverly

What about wool that has been preshrunk? Anyone try this?

I can't picture wool in a rag quilt. It wouldn't really fray. Denim does work great, homespuns are my fav just because they tend to lend themselves so well to the casual look. When using denim be sure to avoid any that has poly or stretchiness to it. They won't fray near as well (if at all, depending) as your other denims.

And now it's hems/holes/pockets/butts with frayed edges!! Will that trend EVER go away??!

I was wondering about that. I do have a ton of denim and some flannel so I'll use that. I don't really care for homespun, but I do have some. And it would be a good way to use it and get it out of my stash:>

Recently discovered a fabric called "osnaberg" which is used instead of batting in rag quilts. Layered with denim and flannel or flannel alone, it frays beautifully and is a lot lighter than batting. Joann's carries it. I love making denim/flannel rag quilts. (you cut the osnaberg blocks the same size as the top and bottom blocks)

Some quilt shops carry osnaberg fabric too. I've used it in rag quilts, it's good and less expensive that flannel.