Rag Quilt Question
 

Thinking of making a rag quilt for the first time for my new grand-daughter. I am going to use flannel and warm-n-natural for the batting. I was wondering instead of making the "X" on the squares if I couldn't use my embroidery machine to embroider on the squares instead. Then I was wondering how I would hoop them all or if I should just embroider the top squares first then cut them to size and make the sandwich with the batting and bottom square.

If anyone has done this before I would be interested in any hints or tips that you can give me.

Thanks!!

Mindy-WI

You need to sew all three pieces together because the batting will ball up inside if you don't. I learned that the hard way.

I can't answer your question about embroidery, but there are so many members who will be able to help you. I make my rag quilts using a cheap flannel instead of batting. I cut the flannel the same size square as the front and back square piece and I sew a scant 1" seams. This makes it a great rag seam and you can either quilt the block or not. Now my quilting friends are making their rag quilts this way, too.

The reason for the X is to secure the 3 layers together. If you embroider through all layers, then you achieve the same result. If you only embroider the top, then your little sandwiches will be floppy and the batting will bunch in the center.

Dumb question - but I don't know the answer-

If one uses batting in a rag quilt - say the fabric square is 6 inches and one is going to use half inch seams -
Would you cut the batting only five inches square so it doesn't get caught in the joining seams?

I live in So. CA where 2 layers of flannel is the perfect weight so I don't have to deal with the batting issue. I made 7 sofa throws for friends Christmas gifts a couple of years ago. They still tell me how much they love them.

I cut my batting smaller.

I made one a few years ago and I just used three layers of flannel, no batting. I cut my squares, layered the 3 squares and embroidered them. Then I put them together in the quilt.

Bear I cut the batting smaller- but I use polyester batting - so it doesn't poke out :) but I think if you were using flannel it wouldn't matter as much other than adding extra bulk to the seams

I'm another one who uses 3 layers of flannel rather than batting. That means no quilting at all (you just sew the flannel triplets together), but if you wanted to embroider the flannel before joining them it would look great. I like using flannel in the middle because - less work, no x's to quilt, and more edges to fluff up and give the rag quilt its great look. You don't even have to use 3 layers - could use only 2 for a lighter weight quilt.

You can hoop sticky stabilizer, peel off the top paper, and stick your quilt square to it to embroider. It would be a lot of rehooping for a whole quilt, but it isn't difficult to do.

I haven't made a rag quilt yet. I think the batting would make it too warm. If I used three layers I think the X would help hold the layers together and make handling much easier.

Sadie

If I do embroider on the 3 layers (all flannel) do I need to use a stabilzer at at or do you think I should just embroider on 2 layers (top & middle) then add the backing piece so the embroidery doesn't show through. Would I have to use a stabilizer with the 2 layers?

Mindy

I have cut out 5 inch denim squares and worn chamois shirt squares - I'm thinking that might be heavy enough?

I made a rag quilt and used cotton for the front and 2 layers of flannel. Didn't put the X on it as all 3 layers were the same size. It is plenty warm enough!

I'm not a fan of rag quilts for babies. They love to put everything in their mouth and the strings make me shudder. JMHO

piney

I agree with Piney - no rag quilts for babies... But, I've done several rag quilts. Yes, you cut the batting smaller than the rest based on the seam size you're using. You don't want that white batting showing in the rag part. You can embroider each square but that will get pretty busy. You can do the "X's" fairly quickly on some and embroider on some. You wouldn't need any batting or cross stitching if you use flannel or even an old blanket as the filling. The X is strictly to keep the batting flat during washings. Hope that helps.