I finally made my first rag quilt and used flannel for both sides. I have seen some that have been made with cotton instead of flannel. My question is can I make one with the front in cotton and the back flannel? My worry is the different amount the two fabrics shrink at. Can someone help me? Thanks.

I normally make my raggy quilts with cotton on front; inside & back is flannel. I know others wash their flannels first. I don't and have never had a problem. Of course, you know that the raggy look is very forgiving.

I just finished one that is cotton on one side, flannel on the other, and warm and natural in the middle. It washed up beautifully and then disappeared when my son grabbed it and ran! He loves it!

I have never done one before but planning very soon so can someone pls help me with my questions?

If i want to use batting, is this layer supposed to be same size as the front and backing or less, and how much less if it should? do i sew the seem on top of the batting or i don't need to worry since there is the cross stitching on top of everything?

Thanks

If you are worried about the difference when it shrinks, pre-wash both. Next time washed, it shouldn't shrink that much. I have made several rag quilts with worn out jeans on the front and flannel on the back. Cut up the jeans and use the waist band for the binding.

I lost my rag quilt, too. It is flannel on the front and fleece on the back. My brother took it. Then he says to me, "Can you make it bigger, it is not long enough?" I said, "Sure, if you help me". I have not heard any more from him about it- ha- ha. I really meant I would do it, even found some leftover squares from the original to make it longer. I don't know if he does not want to help or just forgot about it. Anyway, was sure a nice warm quilt. I put batting in the middle, too. No wonder it is so warm!

If i want to use batting, is this layer supposed to be same size as the front and backing or less, and how much less if it should? do i sew the seem on top of the batting or i don't need to worry since there is the cross stitching on top of everything?

When I use warm n natural batting, I make it 1 inch less than the other squares. When I use flannel, it's the same size. If you do the X, you do it through all the layers. Do a google search on rag quilts. There are lots of free info. That's how I learned.

Hmmm you said if you do the X does that mean i don't havr to do the x stitching, and i actually like to use warm and natural "that's the only thing i use" so if i cut it one inch less and when i sew the blocks do i need to sew the x and if not what is the seem should i use 1/4 or 1/2 which means i am not catching the batting with it???

The reason you cut the batting smaller is this: the batting will shred if it's even with the other squares. Ask me how I know! Yes, the 1st raggy quilt I made had homespun in front, batting inside and flannel on back. I made all 3 squares the same size. This was a present for my DD's BF; she wondered why he kept saying there was "junk" everywhere, lol.
You have got to do an X or some type of sewing on the sandwich if you do batting. Otherwise, it will bunch up. If you PM me, I'll send you more detailed info.
Batting is not my preferred choice; I usually do flannel. Of course, we live in southeast Texas, so don't need the heaviness of the batting. If I'm selling a raggy quilt, I'm always glad to add the batting.

Pre-wash as the flannel will shrink a lot more than the cotton sheeting.