If I want to make a rag quilt, can I just use 3 layers of flannel, instead of 2 layers of flannel & 1 of batting?

Will 3 layers of flannel "rag up" nicely or will it look too skimpy?

I want to make some small quilts for the neonatal unit at one of our hospitals.

3 layers of flannel works just fine. That is what I use and they rag up beautifully!

I just made one like that for a 12 yr old girl for Christmas. Just be careful with washing it, or it will lock up your washing machine. (Ask me how I know)...

My advice, if you make one using all flannel, don't use your own washer to wash it...

Personally, I like three layers of flannel.

I didn't use batting in mine

You should check with the hospital that they will take them - most want all the seams sewn tightly. The raggedy seams would get caught in the equipment and such :lol:

And they don't recommended raggy quilts for infants because of the lose threads - even healthy children

If you find the hospital would prefer not to have the rag quilts, try making one with 2 pieces of fleece, no center piece (it's warm and heavy enough). It doesn't rag, doesn't shed in the washer/dryer and the cut ends "fluff" vs. rag and it looks really nice.

I would check with the hospital first, to see what their guidelines are... some may take fleece and others may not :wink: :D:D:D

Thanks all for the info. Will check with hospital first.

I bet three layers of flannel would be really warm too!

Glad I read this I was just gonna sew flanal squares together. Guess I better do some research!

PS:
Not trying to put a damper on your kind heart but teeny tiny fingers and toes may get caught around strings,flanel would be snuggly but maybe just not the rag type.;)

I missed that they were going to the hospital. Our hospital would not accept a rag quilt or fleece. They also have specific sizes that they can use. I guess I need to read more carefully.

If you plan to use the same size for all 3 layers, just realize that you will need to cut through 6 (SIX) layers of fabric on the raggedy edge. Ouchie for those poor wrists.

I would not make one for a hospital, but for a healthy baby, if you cut your squares on the straight grain of the fabric, there will be no threads longer that the 3/4" or 1" that you leave to fluff when you sew the seams. I made mine with three layers. It was adorable, but I won't do it again. Too hard on my hands. A daughter wants one. I told her I'd make it and she could do the cutting.

If you wash and dry twice and take it outside and shake it, there aren't many threads that still want to shed. My washer didn't mind, but if it did, I'd wash it in a lingerie bag and let the dryer do the fluffing.

Ditto on this :) I wouldn't think a rag quilt would be too good for babies. See what the hospital recommends.

Rag quilts should never be made for babies.
All the strings are a choking hazard.

The three layers of flannel will work fine.

Since I live in Fla., I simply used flannel on both sides with no batting in between. I am sure it will be just fine.

I always use 3 layers of flannel. I think it rags much prettier that way. I also found that if I put the finished quilt in the dryer BEFORE I wash it, some of the lint will be removed then. It seems to help me.

Judy in Missouri

I use three layers, too, and it's just fine. Just be sure your three colors all go together, because the middle will show up much more than you think!

When washing my rag quilt I can pull my drain hose from the washing machine and hang in in the sink this is in the basement and I cover the hose with soft screen you can get at home depot and catch all my threads. You wouldn't belive how much comes off of your flannel.

That sounds just fine to me.
They work at keeping the babies warm but the bassinets have heat lights attached so thick might be too hot.

On Sewing with Nancy, she used a scalloped type rotary blade to trim around the edge of the blanket.

I have used 3 layers of flannel with no batting used and it worked out fine. I wash flannel first then sew together and it does not shed so bad.

I made one with flannel on the front, fleece on the back. I put cotton batting in the middle. If I did it again, I'd leave out the batting. It was really hard to cut the fringies...

i have made some with all flannel but i use a cheaper flannel in the middle than on the outside

I was making a rag quilt for Christmas present and NOT enjoying it at all. The cutting part, that is. Was at Joannes and found a pair of Fiskar scissors that were called rag quilt scissors. I used a coupon and got them for like fourteen dollars. They are worth every penny, especially since I really like the rag quilt and plan to make them for the men of the family for Christmas. Thought I would share that info,just in case someone was interested.

check with Hospital before doing rag quilts for them . some say no rag quilts because there is to much loose fiber , lint fluff.on a rag quilt and some don't want any thing that might get tangled in the IV's or oxygen tubes

I have two large lap size flannel rag quilts that I have made for Christmas gifts and there is NO way I would wash and dry them in my own equipment. They will go to the cleanest laundromat I can find. They are two layers of matching fabrics with a medium flannel in the center - yes they are heavy and I definitely recommend double stitching each row.

Me, too! No buttons, fringe, tabs, loose thread, prairie points, bows or any item whatsoever that could be a choking hazard on quilts for babies.

:-D :-D :-D

When I made one for my DGD when she was younger, I only used 2 layers of flannel, and it was still pretty heavy. At least in Georgia, didn't need that extra layer.

I just now let my 11 mo old snuggle with his rag quilt made from just 2 layers of flannel. It is heavy and snuggly and has become his favorite blankie! I wouldn't give it to him earlier b/c of the strings. Now that it has been washed several times, it doesn't string much. Oh.... I did not wash it at home until the 4th wash!

I would think that the lint would be an issue also. Even after being washed and dried several times, ragged quilts seems to shed more lint and small pieces of thread. These sweet babies could inhale some of this lint.

I'm just finishing up one that I used 2 layers of Moda Christmas flannel. It's plenty heavy, and I didn't use batting. Planning on ending it to a cousin in Florida.

For rag quilts, I use two layers of flannel - no batting. It is plenty warm yet not heavy. - Cynthia

i also have made a couple for babys but have washed them 3-4 times before giving. i also snip mine very close together and it doesn't seem to have many loose threads. the first one i made with three layers of flannel. second one with two. i prefer the two layers because it is not as heavy and bulky.

I prefer using all flannel. It rags up great, and you can gets some interesting shading in the rag part by using different colors for the "batting" piece

When joining rows together on a raggy quilt,do you sew the seams flat or press them open? Does one way affect the raggy look more than the other? Also, flannel makes A LOT of lint in the washer AND dryer. It has been suggested to me that raggy quilts should be taken to the laundramat instead. Anyone do this and how do the quilts turn out then?

I was wondering the same question...using 3 flannels together BUT not as rag quilt....just a regular quilt with some hand quilting here and there?

It is best to sew a row together and then clip the seams. Sew the rows together and then clip the seams. Sew the outside and clip the seams. Experience has taught me to sew each time with a straight stitch and then again with a small zig zag.
When sewing the blocks of the rows together there is no problem with the seams, but when sewing the rows together I believe it is a matter of personal preference whether sewing the seams flat or not.
YES to the laundromat! They have commercial, industrial machines and can withstand the heavy lint. It is far more economical to pay at the laundromat than have your own machine and dryer serviced.