ninalea

I made my first quilt--a rag quilt for my granddaughter for Christmas. (see attached) Now I would like to make a St. Louis Cardinal rag quilt for my grandson. However, I have only been able to find Cardinal fabric in flannel. Does anyone know if that will ravel for the "rag" look when I wash it?

CGail

Flannel is all that I have ever used for rag quilts. I didn't even realize you could use anything else. I have made quite a few flannel rag quilts, and I always use two squares of flannel and no batting. They are very comfortable and warm.

Tartan

Flannel is less dense that quilting cotton and should rag well. It might be a messier when washed so clean out the lint trap after washing.

ninalea

Thanks for your help. For the black and white one I made from cotton, I took it to a laundromat so I wouldn't clog up my washer and dryer. So I shouldn't use any batting? If not, that will make it much easier.

I will purchase the flannel and get started on my next project.

dunster

I use three layers of flannel, all cut the same size, in my rag quilts. You don't really have to have 3 layers, but it gives more fabric to rag, as well as a warmer quilt. I always prewash the flannel since it shrinks more than regular quilting cotton.

sew watts quilter

I made my first rag quilt recently. I used flannel for the front and fleece for the back. No batting. I'm really happy with it.

quiltingcandy

My question is where did you find ST Louis Cardinal flannel? I would love to get my hands on some MLB flannel. I can find fleece - but no flannel or cotton. I found cotton on Ebay - but they want way too much for very small pieces.

Donnamarie

I have only made rag quilts with flannel. According to the directions, they tell you to use flannel. I think you will love it once its done. Even though I use flannel I do sandwich it with a smaller piece of batting and sew an X thru it to hold it together.

AliKat

I, too, use flannel for my rag quilts.

I do take it to the laundromat to finish the ragging process there - after snipping the fabric at home I take it to the laundromat, get it wet, and put it in the industrial sized dryer without heat til most of the threads drop away. I end up with a whale of a lot of thread lint this way. When no more thread lint, I dry the quilt.

ManiacQuilter2

Mine too is made with flannel. and YES take your rag quilt to the Laundromat for the first washing!! My best friend had to call a plumber to unclog the pipes from washing too many rag rugs !!