Rag Quilt
 

What size squares are normally used in making a rag quilt? That would make a good "sitting in the living room watching TV project". Can you use 5" charms? Do you cut up to the the seams before you make the sandwich?

You can use 5" charms but remember at least an inch of that is going into your seams ( 1/2" seam) and I think a lot of times it's more it's more than 1/2" seam. So it's going to take a lot more blocks to get the desired size. JMHO I think 7 or 8 inch blocks would be more ideal.

Good point. I'd forgotten about that. Thanks!

I used 6" squares in mine. It is 9 squares by 9 squares, which made a 41" x 41" throw. The dogs love it.

The choice is yours. I usually use 1" seam allowances and have done up to 9" blocks and it looked great. With the 1" seam allowance that makes them really 7" blocks. Though I could make smaller seam allowances.

ali

I made a baby themed rag quilt quilt using 5 inch flannel blocks. For this use the 5 inch block worked fine.

The absolutely best rag quilt I ever saw for using on the sofa was made of 5" VELVET blocks, not velveteen. It was as soft as minkee but elegant and very grown-up looking. It was trimmed in plain old satin blanket edging and was beautiful!.

You don't cut until they are alll sewn together - unless it is an Accuquilt pattern where it is already cut- but good job for watching TV when the quilt is all sewn together. - j

Do you use your own washer and dryer or go to the laundramat. I'm concerned about all the threads in the washer and lines.

Do go to the laundramat and try to use those spring-type sissors for cutting the seam allowances

I just made two in the last few months, and used all flannels-word of advice- don't use Warm and Natural batting between the flannel layers-makes it too heavy-also, make sure if you use dark and light colors, you wash the dark ones TWICE, then after sewing the quilt together (quilt each square "sandwich" as you go before sewing together) and snipping your seams, wash again with a couple or three color catchers! I used purple/lavendar/green and threw in some whites, and even after pre-washing with color catchers and using color catchers in the final wash of the finished quilt, the purple ran into the white and ruined it (well, my son's don't care-it is the "couch quilt" for watching TV), but it was supose to be a gift for my Aunt. I made another, using light weight poly batting, and it came out ok. I used 8" squares of flannel and cut the batting to 7" so the seams wouldn't be so thick and the batting exposed, and it worked out much better. I didn't have a pattern, so I learned the hard way. The first one with the Warm and Natural batting I didn't cut the batting smaller, so I had to snip thru the flannel and batting and my fingers were bruised afterwards! I used 8 across and 10 down, and it is great for my 6ft 4" son.

Was the velvet washable?

I am just finishing the last of 6 quilts I made as Christmas presents. I had them all sewed together, just had to cut. So I took them back after Christmas to finish. All I have to do now is wash them. I am going to a laundromat for that. If you have not purchased your rag scissors yet, please consider getting the Heritage quilting snips (VP7). I started snipping with the Fiskars snips, and literally had blisters; not on the hand that I snipped with, but the other hand. This was because I had to use the other hand to help push the snips so that it would cut the material. I ordered the Heritage cutlery snips from Amazon. The difference is between night and day. So, I would suggest that you spend a few more dollars and get the better one. Good luck.

I agree with taking the rag quilts to the laundromat. I made 2 fuill size flannel rag quilts and took them to the laundromat and put them in seperate washing machines. One machine was ruined after, the other was ok. Whether it was from the quilt or not I don't know. It wouldn't finishing spinning and there was a mess of lint in the machine.

I would have never thought about not washing it the first time or two in my machine at home but you're right. That's a lot threads and such going through the machine. Will definitely go to the laundromat. Going to check out Amazon for the scissors too. With the talk about color fade there goes my idea of red and white. I'd hate to put that much work into it and then have red and pink. Thank you for all the suggestions! :)

Typically, for a baby quilt, I've used 8" squares to start, finishing to 7". One day, though, I tried 10" squares, used up florals from the stash for the front, leftover batting (all the same, though), and flannel from the stash for the back. I sewed the diagonals, only, no fancy quilting. It's been about 8 years now I think and it is fine. Very very soft from lots of washings. But we love it for in front of the TV. And yes, ditto to the others who suggested buying the best quality trimming scissors you can. I, too, learned that the hard way--blisters on both hands!

I love making rag quilts, in all sizes and with either cottons or flannels. However, I just wet the seams when it's all clipped and run it thru my home dryer 3-4 times, re-wetting it each time until the lint trap isn't full. I do have to empty it several times during each cycle which is a pain. The local laundromat has a big sign up that says, simply.. "Absolutely NO rag/frayed quilts!!" so that leaves me with no place to wash and dry it those first few times.

I guess the laundromats got smart. I'll have to check with ours and see if they have any signs up. If they do, I'll take your advice about just wetting the seams a few times. Thanks for the suggestion. :)

Just bought my flannel and the Heritage Rag Quilt scissors so should be starting on the quilt by next week. This will also be a good "take along" project for when we go to the MAC Tools tool fair the end of February. Since hubby be presented with several awards I told him I'd go this year. While he's shopping for tools I'll be working on my rag quilt. Then we'll both be happy. :)

I've made raggy quilts for a few years now. I have used all different size squares; including 5" squares. However, my favorite size is now 8.5"; I lose less fabric with this size square. Also, I also clip a few rows at a time. I have arthritis sp? and if my DD doesn't have time to clip for me, I can only clip a little at a time. Good luck! And if you need extra help, just PM me.
As a sidenote, guess I've been lucky; I don't prewash and have never had a bleeding problem. Also, have never had trouble washing for 1st time in my washing machine. Of course, I do have an extra-large tub.

Thank you for offering your support. I'll sure PM you if I find I need some help. :)

i'm getting ready to make a rag quilt duplicating the look of a triple irish chain quilt. for that reason, i'm starting with very small squares...4 inches. i usually use 6 inch squares, but in order to make this look like the traditional pieced triple irish chain does, i had to make the squares small. i must be nuts!