Rag Quilt Question
 

I'm a newbie quilter and have made a couple of quilts, mostly flannel rag quilts. I have some 100% cotton fabrics which I would to use in a rag quilt, however they have been already washed once. Will they still fray at all or ??

Thank you in advance!


Lollie :)

Yes. once you have raw edges and wash it, those fresh edges will fray. They fray different than flannel but will indeed fray.

It's a myth that you can't make a rag quilt with prewashed fabric. I make them with prewashed flannel all the time, and they fray just fine.

Those cut edges will certainly fray.....a tip for ragging...use spring snips for cutting it will save your hands.

Woven fabrics will fray.

They cost a bit, but they are miracle workers. I'd have never done a second rag quilt if I'd not found them.

Where did that rubbish start? Washing is washing, snipping woven fabrics will result in fraying. @@

The cotton will fray but not as drastic as the flannel does. You could always layer a piece of flannel between the squares.

Thank you for all your help, everyone! I can now use up more of my stash :) Halfway through my first rag quilt I learned about the spring snips. I, too, probably wouldn't have made a second if not for those! I've been using batting in my quilts, but had also read about using flannel. I think I will try that on my next quilt.

Lollie

Most woven fabrics will fray "some"

How much depends on the fabric.

From my experience, a washed fabric will fray as much or more than an unwashed fabric.

I wash before cutting, because uneven shrinkage bothers me - a lot!