I just finished a flannel rag quilt and ran it thru the washer and dryer this afternoon and liked it so much I want to do one with cotton. However, I need a bit of help. Do I use cotton fabric in place of flannel and use flannel in the middle? Can I cut them all the same size at the same time? For the flannel rag quilt, I cut the batting an inch smaller. Thanks...

I have made four rag quilts and plan to make a couple more before Christmas. I used cotton on front and back and flannel in the center. I cut all three squares the same size. I started with a 7 inch and sewed 1/2 in seams and didn't even have to sew the x in the center. I just love these quilts. If you have any more questions just ask.

Barb

Barb, Thank you so much for the quick response. The quilt was 7x7 with finished 8" blocks so I sewed an x across. Oh, a question... did you pin the six layers or just layer and sew free? Asked from a 'can I do this quicker than I did the last one?'

Gale

I didn't pin them. I just sewed. The nice thing about a rag quilt is if it is off just a little no one will know after it is snipped.

Hurray!! I'm off to find some fabric for a new born great niece! Thank you so much!

Gale

I have one pinned to my 'design' flannel right now for my preemie great niece......I used two layers of flannel to the back and cotton layer on top, I want to keep that baby warm and snuggled. :-)

Because I don't have much experience with flannel, should I buy a better quality flannel for the outside and a less expensive for the inside? Does it matter?

I need to go out to JoAnne's and buy flannel and I just need a suggestion before I head out.

Gale

Hi Gale,
That's what I did, I used a lighter quality for the inside and a heavy quality for the inside. 'Course, I need to tell the truth I buy with coupons or when it's on sale anyway, so it is always on hand. You never know when they will call or email that a new family member has arrived.
:D

Sharon

Thank you Sharon,

Always like to be in good company. I also use my coupons, if fact, I can't remember that last time I paid full retail for fabric but then again, I seem occasionally to get caught on ebay when I buy fabric, sigh...

Have a good day and and again, thanks...

Gale

Off to work on piecing the final two blocks for a quilt then sewing all the blocks together. Another one hits the 'dust!'

I have only made 2 rag quilts, the first one out of my husband and daughters old blue jeans and cotton on the back, the blue jean material is so heavy I didn't use any batting. The second one was out of flannel w/same size batting in the middle.

Sharon, you caught my attention with the mention of coupons. Fill me in, how and where do you get coupons for fabric?

I'm not Sharon but I'm willing to be 'sharin'. giggle... Both Joanne's and Beverly's stores mail out flyers with 40% coupons on a one cut of fabric off the bolt. As long as you continue to buy from the stores, the stores will continue to mail the flyers to your home. I get flyers every month from both stores and you can use the coupons interchangeable at either store since they have the same parent company.

Gale

Thanks for "sharin" for "Sharon" Gale!
Hmmm, I guess I need to get on a mailing list. I am hoping that these could be used for on-line purchases as well? I didn't know that Beverly's was associated with Joann's. Alot of Joann's here in my neck of the woods (East Texas) have closed in the last 2 years. Thanks for the info, I'll get to work on getting on a mailing list.

I signed up for email sale alerts from Joanns and they often send coupons to me via email.

ahhhh, at least I'm remembered even if only in 'sharin'

sign up for all the Hancocks, Joanns, and Hancocks of Paducah, I get email coupons above and beyond the fliers, they are wonderful! :-)

I was really hurting yesterday when I tried to answer you Gale, about the flannel. I use lighter weight flannel for the middle, not lighter quality. Geezopete, I always want and try to buy the best quality of anything I buy.

Weight /Quality = crs when in pain soooooooo sorry, did you know what I meant? did you read my mind but not the words?? Gosh I hope!

I was wondering how much material you buy for a rag quilt and what
size do you make? :D

It all depends on how big you want it to be. I make my couch size quilts so that you can snuggle up with them while you are watching tv. I start out with a 7 inch square and sew 1/2 inch seam. So you end up with a 6 inch square. I usually use two colors and I buy 3 yards of each color and 3 yards of flannel. But you can use as many colors as you like and you can make it as big or as small as you like.

Just remember you're taking 1/2 inch off each side......I had to add extra squares to the baby quilt, cause it was receiving blanket size when I did the first part. :roll:

Two extra rows all around fixed it right as rain. I'll post pic soon

If using flannel on the outside, should I have a middle? Rather, can I get away with not using a middle? We don't get too cold out here.

No you would not have to have a middle. The good thing about quilts is you are the designer. You can do them anyway you want.

ccbear66

Thank you! I keep forgetting there's no quilt police. :D I'd just like to do it right the first time. tho.

A quickie response; you can sign up for Joanne's coupons and use them on line. In each flyer, there is a coupon for instore and one for online.

Gale

Funny you mention that. There was a Sewing/Cutting table on sale for $54.99 regularly $99.00 and a cutting mat to fit the table (36" x 59") on sale for $34.99 regularly $64.99, the sale ended Saturday, September 15. I didn't get to make it up there while the sale was going on, so I found my fllyer for a 40% off coupon and thought I'll just buy the table now and the mat later. WHen, DH and I went to Joanns one day after the sale, which is about an hour and a half away, the woman said it was still on sale...I thought OH WOW! Good Kharma is really true. LOL. ANytime I have been there before the day after the sale, the sales are over and you pay regular price. I don't know if it was a mistake or she just let us have it as that. I handed her the coupon before she said the price and she said oh that ran out yesterday and whispered to go get a new flyer out front and then on my way to get it, she said oh you don't need it, it's on sale. I didn't complain one bit! LOL.

I bought that same cutting table a couple of months ago and just love it. It is a real back saver for me.

I am glad to hear it. The woman working there says the same thing. I did hear a few tables were made cheap like and I was hoping this wasn't one of them. Thanks for the feedback