I don't know if any of you make rag quilts, but if you do, I have a question for you. When you cut the batting (Warm and Natural) for the squares, do you cut it big enough to be caught up in the seam? I have made quite a few of these for family members, and I always cut the batting just big enough to have about 1/8" caught in the seam all the way around. I have talked to a lot of people who have made them, and they all say they only cut the batting just big enough to fit INSIDE the seam, and only being sewn down where the "X" is quilted. I think they do that so the batting won't show when you "fringe"the seams, But I have found the batting doesn't show when there is only 1/8" sewn in. The fringed part covers it up. If any of you have made these quilts, I would like to know how you make them. I have made so many I am tired of them, but have one more to make, and would like to hear how others make them.........

I am not much help because I don't use batting. I use 3 layers of flannel and just do the 1/2 inch seams. I don't do the X or anything. They have held up really well for me.

Rachel

I do it so as not to have such a thick seam at the intersections

you can cut the batting smaller, not to be in the seam and when you sew the x on it that will keep from shifting

I only cut the batting to fit inside the square not in the seam! When I quilt the X it secures it and I've not had any problems in doing it this way.

The two I've done also use flannel instead of batting and I stitch it together this way. The instructions I've seen for using batting is to cut so that it is inside the seams and then stitch the X to keep the batting from bunching up. I like the flannel because I can add another color and texture in the fringe.

Cheers, K

i did some with flannel and cut 5 inch squares of fabric and 4 inch cotton batting.then quilted every other square with an X or a circle. then sewed together with 1/2 inch seam and clipped. no batting showing that way.
and batting isn't necessary all the time. your choice.

Me too. I love rag quilts. I've made several. Some with just squares or like this one I'm showing. Fun to do.

I cut my batting 1" smaller than the fabrics squares. For example if I am using 8" squares I cut my batting 7". I then sew with a 1/2" seam. Sometimes I get a little batting in the seal allowances but I try not to.

I cut my batting 2" smaller than the size of the block, then center the batting.

I cut my batting smaller than my squares. I do not want it in my seam allowance that I will be clipping. That would be too much bulk and I am not sure the batting would fray nicely, either.

DGLVR - that bear quilt is adorable!

ooops, maybe it's a dog! ha ha ha

I use 5" squares of fabric, 4" squares of warm and natural , make sandwiches by centering the batting on the bottom, then laying top material on then quilt something in the middle of the square, hearts butterfly, snail,or an x, not going into the seam allowances, then i sew them together the way you do with a rag quilt, it turns out really great.

I cut batting 2" smaller than the block.
I never sew it in the seams as they would just be to thick
and I like the 1" raggy seam instead of 1/2"
the batting has neve shifted and several of these are used as doggy quilts so they get washed often

Yeah its a dog. Thanks. Glad you like it. :thumbup:

That is so cute!

Thanks

I cut my batting smaller than the seam and use the X to quilt the block. I have seen patterns where the batting is showing with the fringe but as someone else said, it would definitely be more balk to trim.

Inside the seam.

Thank you all for responding. I will definitely cut the batting to just fit inside the seam on the next rag quilt. If it works for all of you, then it works for me!

i've done it both ways, caught in the seam and small enough for just the center, i like it better when i catch it in the seam it seems like it helps the (raggy-ness) fluff more, but it might not make any difference. I say make them the way you want there is no right or wrong, if it works it's ok.

I don't use batting either, baby quilts are 2 layers of flannel, jeans quilts- denim with flannel baking. They are heavy enough without batting!

I have made several rag quilts and if the outer squares are 8" cut batting 6" and center between. I sew an X across which secures the batting and makes for a better rag effect. If 10" squares cut batting 8" and so on. Hope this helps you out. I have a friend who takes her rag quilt everywhere she goes overnight, like an adult blanky. LOL :lol:

Thanks for the information SewKrazy1 I have not heard of any adult so far who needs their rag quilt for a "blankie", but I sure have teenaged grandchildren who are seldom seen without theirs, especially in the cooler weather.

How very cute. My granddaughter used jean material and didn't use batting or flannel.

I've made 12 of these quilts. I cut the flannel 10x10 and the batting 8x8. I would put 7 rows of 6 blocks and that made a good size "cuddle up on the couch" quilt.

dglvr......that doggie quilt is wonderful....did you make that up or have a pattern? Is it just on TOP of the background fabric? Soooo cute.

I have made a dozen rag quilts for a fast project - usually for baby showers at work. I cut 8" squares of flannel and use flannel for all 3 layers. No batting, no "X" sewing each square. Very fast & easy and I've had remarks about them holding up well after several washes.

I cut my batting 1 in. smaller than my flannel and used a 1/2 in. seam. The X held the batting with no problem. I love making rag quilts. I bought a pillow that had a cover with rag seams. I plan to duplicate it, but just haven't done it yet.

Can you make the rag quilts with regular 100% cotton? I have the pattern but would rather work with cotton and not flannel.

Thanks. Glad you like my doggie. Its hanging at a quilt show so
the background fabric is just a quilt hanging behind it. The pattern is Simplicity #4993. There is also another pattern that has a panda and fish and something else I can't remember.

My sister makes many rag quilts, she cuts the batting 1" smaller than the fabric. Her first round of sewing is 1" all around, giving a nice 1/2" boarder around each block. She finds it easy to do other designs in the workable sized square-hearts and spirals decorate her squares.

Yes you can use just regular 100% cotton. Do not wash your fabric first. When your done cutting it to rag it thats when you wash it. I take mine outside and shake it really good first to keep some of the strings from getting in my washer and dryer.
Or I take mine to a laundry mat so I don't get all the strings from the fabric in my washer and dryer. :thumbup:

On my first rag quilt I used batting instead of flannel and had to clip the batting out of the frayed ends. I learned my lesson the hard way. I've seen some with flannel or another thin layer of fabric. Thanks for the advice too.

I cut the batting 2 inches smaller and then quilted a design in the square

How cute!! Did U have a pattern 4 this?? Give Us instructions please.

When using warm and natural, I cut the squares small enough to fit within the seams.

It obviously works for you, so do it how you want to! I will be curious to try this method and see how it works for me. It would have to help hold the batting in place better than the 'X' especially on those larger squares.

OK, I never did or saw how to do a RAG quilt, but I think I got the idea. Cut squares, layer, X, then do you sew squares together with seam asslowances all going to the same side? so the "back" has smooth seams, no seam allowance showing? then do you just snip the seam allowance every so often?
One more question - how are the sides finished?
Sounds pretty easy, but maybe a tutorial coming from someone?

Which pattern are you asking about?