Finished my first rag quilt
 

When I started quilting again last year, after a 10 year break, I decided that a rag quilt would be a good place to start to get back in the swing of things and that it would be a bit more forgiving while starting again. Well, it got bumped to make a quilt for my teen son for his birthday last November, but then I got back to it and finished it this past weekend.

I used 3 layers of flannel to avoid sewing all the Xs. If I do one again I would just use 2 layers because it is so heavy, but it is warm. :) I made it 2 rows longer than I originally planned so I had to change my piecing plan for the back a bit, but it still worked out. I had planned to use the red for the narrow border on the back, but ended up with just enough left to put the 4 red blocks in the corners so I changed to the cream.
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Beautiful quilt!

different take on traditional rag quilt ... beautiful! I like your fabrics.
so insprirational but I need to make one this week for an exhibition on Saturday where the traditional style is required.

Great work, I love it!!!

Beautifully done!

Love how you did your quilt. Very pretty. Looks like it will be nice and warm.

Very nice. I like that pattern. I had not seen that in a rag quilt before.

Thanks! I started with the pattern I found here: http://quilting.about.com/od/quiltpa.../rag_quilt.htm Then I made some changes and added borders. Debated about single piece borders like a regular quilt, but decided to cut them to line up with the blocks and I've decided I like it that way -- to me it's a more consistent rag feel than if the borders were continuous.

Just terrific, great job and thank you for sharing
Have a Blessed day
Ellen

nicely done... i like both sides

Love your quilt, I didn't think you would carry your design onto the back as well, bravo! I always use batting, poly batting as it is so light weight. I also learned that poly batting won't get permanent wrinkles when folded and or stored. I really like your color palette, fall colors but strong enough to be masculine.

A beautiful quilt - by the way I did one with three layers, too heavy, two layers, flabby, with poly batting, just right.
Though I quilt, I am ready to order 4 quilts from you as I have two sets of teen twins to make new quilts for as the old ones are too small for them now. Thank you for showing us what can be done in the right hands with flannel!

Looks to me like you got back in the swing of it real good. It's so so pretty. I want it. I want it. :D

Well, you're certainly back in the swing of quilting! Love your rag quilt.

that looks like a very cozy quilt. I really like it. I am sure it will be just the thing on a chilly evening.

Wow! A really fresh look at rag quilts. The design element that the frayed edges give is great!

I think you did an awesome job. I really like how it looks like a traditional quilt on the back.

Think that is the prettiest rag quilt I've ever seen. Thanks so much for sharing.

I love your rag quilt. It looks so neat and orderly compared to mine which usually look pretty ragged :)

Cyn: Your avatar disagrees.

I have a soft spot for rag quilts because that's how I started quilting. I bet you're loving the extra length!

I agree! Very rich colors and great design! Thanks for the link!

Very lovely rag quilt. You will enjoy it for sure. I made a lap size rag quilt last fall and I love it! It has kepted me warm all winter! Da, I never thought of putting a border around it. I really should get busy and make another one!

Welcome back to quilting. Your rag quilt looks great!

It's beautiful. I, too, love the look of the traditional rag quilt with a twist. :)

Very nice.....

Love your rag quilt - you're right, taking the 'ragging' out to the borders and including those really makes a difference in how the finished quilt 'feels'.....very nice! I'm going to borrow your idea when I make mine -- thanks!!

Great job!

I think this is the nicest rag quilt I've seen. I really like the design -- those 2 borders are really cool -- and the color choices. Great job!

Thanks for the compliments everyone! I went to read the paper on the couch this morning....and my quilt was gone. My 17 year old son was using it last night and my hubby said the quilt migrated to the basement with my son last night when he went down there to watch TV. I will have to work to get it back, but at least it's nice that my teen son appreciates my quilts. Guess I need to make myself another one, maybe with flowers so it's less likely to be "borrowed"! :D