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Quote:

Originally Posted by cindle

I just finished sewing together my first rag quilt I made up of flannel squares from my stash. Now comes the cutting OMG my hand is already killing me and all I've done is cut the outside edges of the quilt and started to do one row. Is there any way to make this not hurt your hand and make blisters?

I use a rotary cutter to cut the chenille bits. It has a guard that slips between the layers and prevents the bottom layer from being cut. It is specially made for this purpose.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cindle

I think i'll be getting a pair of those scissors. My ring finger is already blistered and sore from the normal scissors. Thanks for your help and suggestions :)

My vote is for the rag scissors! They are great! And doing it a little bit at a time. I am working on a "Brickyard" quilt and I am clipping one row at a time before I assemble all the rows.

Jodimarie,
I do my rag quilts the way you do too. Lots easier on the hands. I made 4 rag quilts and that was enough for this lifetime.
Sharon W.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AliKat

Those special rag snips are wonderful. I was given a pair by a friend and it is among my most prized tools ... esp for rag quilts.

The weed whacker idea is from John Flynn.

I take my quilt to the laundromat to wet it and then use their dryer - no heat - to tumble it and get all the lint out. No way do I want to mess up my dryer at home. You'll be surprised at the amount of threads that come off. Then I dry it when it looks nice enough.
I do the same thing, after a friend gummed up her machines with all of the lint. I think the larger, industrial machines can do a better job as well.

ali

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Originally Posted by chamby

Quote:

Originally Posted by BizyStitches

Quote:

Originally Posted by cindle

There has been tons of comments about the Accuquilt GO! fabric cutter. It has a die that will cut the rag quilt squares and you don't have to cut the edges by hand it is all done for you. To late for the one you are making, but you might want to check it out if you are planning on making more. They have many great die cuts.

I can't answer that question with experience, but what I've heard others say on other groups that it is fine. I think they layer the back, batting, and top then cut it that way and they are ready to stitch. Only negative thing I've read is that bits of fabric get stuck down in the die, but the cutter comes with a tool to clear out along the dies if anything gets stuck. Hasn't happened to me with any of my cuts yet.

So when you use this to pre cut the rag quilt pieces, is it hard to sew seams with edges already clipped?

I use my fiskars with a spring. I just looked at the heritage ones though....they look pretty nice...
sound like christmas list time to me!

Quote:

Originally Posted by nursie76

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jingleberry

Quote:

Originally Posted by RkayD

I saw online somewhere where someone took their quilt outside and bought a weed whacker just for rag quilts..Now if they did this before they snipped it or in place of snipping I can't remember. The things we come up with! LoL!

I don't believe it !!! Someone is flat out not being honest. Sorry.

Here is a reference to John Flynns weed whacker method:

http://www.flynnquilt.com/workshop/FreeLessons/

It is about the first paragraph under the title which is about 1/3 way down the page.

Well now, I do believe that I have heard everything now. Can we say you are a red neck if... LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jingleberry

Quote:

Originally Posted by RkayD

I don't believe it !!! Someone is flat out not being honest. Sorry.

i really did see this on a tv craft show , i think, it's been some time ago. if i remember correctly, they took it out to the drive way.