Whatever you do .... you DO NOT want the batting inside the block seam allowances and ragged. That is why there is an X or other design sewn across the block.

I do flannel rag quilts because I like the weight and the look of them.

I am sooo glad Fiskars makes the rag snips. Now it is even fun to do the snipping of the seams.

I do go to the laundromat after I finish my quilt and wet it there, then put it in a dryer without heat. I frequently remove the built up lint. Once there isn't much lint coming off the quilt I do dry it. No way do I want to clog my washer or dryer up with all that lint.

ali

Whatever you do .... you DO NOT want the batting inside the block seam allowances and ragged. That is why there is an X or other design sewn across the block.

I do flannel rag quilts because I like the weight and the look of them.

I am sooo glad Fiskars makes the rag snips. Now it is even fun to do the snipping of the seams.

I do go to the laundromat after I finish my quilt and wet it there, then put it in a dryer without heat. I frequently remove the built up lint. Once there isn't much lint coming off the quilt I do dry it. No way do I want to clog my washer or dryer up with all that lint.

ali

This is how I do it too.

I followed instructions from Bonnie Hunter's website www.quiltville.com which included a full 1 inch seam allowance. Believe she called the pattern Raggedy Bricks (it uses squares and rectangles). I used homespuns one side, 100% cottons on the other and cotton batting cut 1 " smaller all around with the X sewn diagonally both directions. It is still a WIP but I would think the 1" seam would be "fluffier" after clipping than a 1/2" seam, though heavier as well. We shall see. I like the idea of using flannel same size as the others pieces instead of batting cut smaller and will try that if there is a next time!

I've made baby quilts with flannel, cut the 'rags' and took them to the laundromat to wash and dry. They turned out very fluffy, soft and cuddley. I worried about all the lint in my washer and dryer. I have two ready to clip and head out to the laundromat. Also, I do not wash my flannel before sewing.

I have made quite a few, and the ones that I like best are the ones with only a 1/2 inch seam allowance. I believe they tend to stand up better and look nicer. the one inch seam allowance is too long and allows the material to lay over. just my opinion, but I made four of them for Christmas this year and many more before that.

LOL and the instructions I used said to use 3/4 inch seams!! So the answer is, it depends!!

I have made 1 rag quilt and I was pleased with how it turned out. I did not use "batting" in my squares. I used my Accuquilt Go and rag die. I used a layer of cotton for the front and 2 layers of flannel for the batting and backing. I didn't even sew the "X" in the block. I used a dark blue flannel for my middle layer and a gold color for my backing. I think it turned out great! It is a lap quilt and it is just the right weight for watching tv under. Lots of fluffy ragged edges. I did prewash my fabrics just because that is what I do. I did wash it twice before gifting it.

I made two recently without a pattern, pre-washed my flannel and made the mistake of using Warm and Natural batting cut the same size as the squares. Boy, was THAT a mistake!! The next one I used an 80/20 batting cut 1" smaller and it was better. Next, I might just use flannel for all three layers and 3/4" seams. I pre-washed the flannel with color catchers and then washed it again when finished with color catchers and dried in the dryer and the colors still ran! I have washed it twice more, and I still can't believe the amount of lint I get! They are getting well-used by my grown son's while watching TV and they aren't complaining, so it wasn't a total waste. I can't wait to make another, this time using squares and rectangles with the flannel I have.

ckcowl~I've only made rag quilts out of flannel, but want to make my next one out of cotton front and back w/flannel in the middle. I'm concerned about the shrinkage of the flannel. Should I prewash it? If it shrinks too much will it pull or bunch the cotton, which will not be prewashed.