i am making rag quilts for my three great-nephews for christmas. i plan on using just two layers of flannel to make them a little lightweight so they could use them in the spring and fall without it being so heavy. anyone else done this with just two layers? next question - i have a lot of flannel and was thinking of making my parents and mother in law each rag quilts using flannel and cotton. questions - would it work just with one layer of flannel and one of cotton and reverse it for the back so it would look kinda like a checkerboard. or should i use two layers of flannel and one of cotton and then reverse it for the checkerboard look? sorry this is so long but i am really anxious to get started - vacation next week and i would like to have them all sewn together.

flanne (or homespun) is the only thing that really ravels. cotton, I don't think you would be happy. The effect is not the same at all

I made one with just cotton, and didn't like it, but I think flannel and cotton together would be fine.
I just made one with two layers of flannel only and I am not happy with it, but just personal taste. I find that I like at least a layer or two of flannel in the middle if not batting.

Go with the flannel, not cotton. It won't ravel as nicely.

Just the two layers of flannel should be fine. I made some with only 2 layers of fleece and it looked nice.

As for the cotton and flannel, I would make a small, doll quilt sized one - maybe 2x3 squares and wash it and see what happens. If you like it, go for it. If not, you can try something different. :)

oatw13- good idea! on the one material i did try making a set of coasters and it seemed to fray pretty good. got the material extremely cheap - especially the one - 5 yds at a rummage sale for 2.50 and the flannel was only 1.29 at joanns so i am really not out a whole lot money wise!

I made one with flannel and fleece on the back with cotton batting in the center. I would just as soon have left out the batting. the fleece kind of curls up- not as much left in the washer when you wash it. Be careful that you don't plug the drain! I took mine to a laundramat. Then my brother took it over, and now he wants me to make it bigger! I said WE can make it bigger... hee heee

Two layers of flannel works fine (I have done this several times). I would not do cotton because it does not bloom as well and that is the best part of the rag quilt.

I am making a rag quilt right now and i just use two layers!! I have used flannel with flannel and flannel with cotton!! Works Great!1 I was going to use three layers but my machine would not pull it through at all!! Good Luck

I just finished my first rag quilt with flannel on the front and back and batting between, worked really well, It is very warm, my husband wanted a warm cuddly lap quilt. :)