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It dawned on me the other day, while doing what felt like my gazillionth rag quilt, that I have learned a lot about sewing and quilting through these blankets. Of course, I can’t learn anything the easy way. All the helpful hints I have picked up along the way have been a result of a huge mess. Can anyone picture me buried underneath a rag quilt with a seam ripper? Cause that was about the extent of it. So, I thought I might give you a little heads up about some sewing/ quilting tips that I have found to be especially helpful while.
1) Pick your flannel wisely. I have bought a very cute print only to find that it was printed VERY crooked on the fabric. The design was looked like “)” this. You can imagine my frustration.
Remember the monkeys? I ended up hand cutting each block out and tilting the them sideways just to try to make this cute fabric work in the rag quilt. As you can see I was able to save the quilt, but it took way to much aggravation to do so.
2) Press fabric before beginning, on the “dry” heat setting and use spray starch. Flannel is most commonly used in rag quilts and it is very, very easy to stretch it out of shape.
3) Use a walking foot while sewing all parts of your rag quilt. I think I paid less than $20 for mine and it has become an invaluable tool for sewing rag quilts along with many other sewing projects. You just cannot sew flannel with out it. Remember, I said it was stretchy.
4) When quilting blocks for a rag quilt the best way I have found it to quilt an “x” on each one. Maybe you are all much more talented than I am, but I can not quilt a straight diagonal line if my life depended on it. The idea of marking lines on each block makes me my hand ache in agony, so I cheat a little. I use a piece of paper as my guide to make it straightly to each corner.
5) When you are sewing your rows together, to avoid bulk and ensure perfect seams, butt your fabric together. Pin on each side of the seam.
6) Spring- loaded scissors are your friend. Especially if you end up having 4 baby quilts to do in a matter of a month for 4 expecting moms.
7) It is a good idea to throw in a color catchers when you are washing any kind of quilt. Red flannel may or may not have bleed all over a rag quilt I just spent way too long working on. (tear, tear)
8) This one is the purely a preference, but wash it at the laundry mat. It is not that big of deal, take a book, relax, and sit there knowing that you didn’t have to risk messing up your washing machine by stuffing it in there and the lint from the blanket isn’t going to kill your dryer.
Rag quilts are a lot of fun, and really aren’t that hard. I have just found that these tips help me get more professional result with the least amount of frustration and time.
Did I miss anything? I would love to hear any tips you might have.
Kaara
Thanks for the helpful tips! I’ve been thinking about eventually making a blanket or quilt. The intimidation machine… I mean sewing machine… Scares me sometimes, but I’ve been practiceing more and more.
I’m a new follower on Facebook, follow me back on my blog if you’d like 😉
Have a great day!
xoxo- Kaara
brenna
Kaara, rag quilts are very forgiving. So if your stitching is a little off you aren’t going to notice. I did my first rag quilt not to long after I started sewing. It wasn’t perfect, but I was still very proud of my accomplishment.
Kaara
Thank you!
Would love your help when I get around to this project!
Kelley
Wow, so easy! Thanks for the terrific idea! It worked like a charm. I had to do 48 squares and I was saying ugh to the pencil lines. 🙂 This was fabulous!!
brenna
So glad you found it helpful.
Kathy Gilbert
I don’t understand instruction #5, “butt your seams together.” Does this mean to stitch a row of blocks together, stopping 1/2″ from the edge and backsitching, then when sewing the rows together just stitching one block at a time, again stitching up to within 1/2″ of the edge to meet the end of the other stitching, then backstitching for reinforcement? I can’t get it to look nice when I stitch to the end of the fabric sewing blocks together and then when sewing the rows together needing to open the seam and stitch the edges down – that part doesn’t want to stand up and fray since it’s stitched down. Hope I’m making myself clear, difficult to explain what I’m asking.
brenna
Ok let me see if I can help. I DO stitch all the way to the end of the block, stitch my blocks together to form rows and then sew the rows together. I DON’T open up my seams. I just push them in opposite directions. For me pushing the seams to the side makes it easier for me to line up my seams, because when the rows are pinned together my seams kind of butt together and line up very nicely. Does that make sense? I’m not sure if I’m explaining it any better. I don’t have a problem with it ragging in the end. I just clip about an 1/8in from the seam and it still rags very nicely. Especially when washed, you can’t see my stitches at all. If you choose to open your seams you can ignore my whole comment about butting your seams together. I hope this was helpful. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Mariely Velez
That blanket is sooo cute! Gustavo’s nephew room is decorated with monkeys 🙂 Thanks for sharing those tips Brenna!
Lisa
These are awesome tips, thank you!
brenna
Thanks, Lisa.
Janet
I have made many of these quilts and when washing them I take my hose of my washing machine out of the wall and put a leg of a pair of nylons around the hose and secure it and I put it in the sink next to the machine ( I suppose you could put it back in the wall) that way all the lint gets caught in the pantyhose and does not go down the drain and clog it up….
brenna
What a great tip! Thank you so much for sharing, Janet. This will definitely be helpful.
Wendy Valley
THANK YOU for this tip to catch the massive threads that wash off of the rag quilt. I would have a guilt complex if I took this (my second one) to the laundromat. I was looking for a solution and this sounds like it.
Janell
Great tips and as a beginner, it is helpful! Got a silly question for you though…what is a color catcher? I’m making my first large one and I have red cotton flannel blocks and am afraid of it bleeding and wrecking the quilt….
brenna
Janell, they are these little sheets you throw in the wash that are supposed to catch all the colors that would bleed out in the wash. Shout makes one. But now they also sell reusable versions.
Janell
Thankyou, I’ll be sure to find some 🙂
Theresa Morgan
Hi I am doing my first rag quilt, someone told me I should sew my blocks together with a stretch stitch but I don’t have this stitch on my machine,I have got a walking foot so is there another stitch I could do please.
brenna
I have always just used a straight stitch and my waking foot. I haven’t ever had a problem.
Theresa Morgan
Thank you,I will do the same,it’s my first ever quilt so am looking forward to getting started!
brenna
I started with rag quilts too. I love it. Let me know if I can help you with anything else.
weekendnomad
Hi Brenna: Great blog:) I was wondering if you have ever mixed flannel with other smoother/regular cotton fabrics? Do they cause problems whilst making a rag quilt? Does it look “off” if most of the fabrics are flannel and one or two are non-flannel cotton-based?
Thank you!
brenna
I haven’t, but my mother-in-law has and they turned out great. I think the two different fabrics gave it such a nice texture and look. They have been washed several times and have had no problem holding up.
weekendnomad
Bless you!!! Thank you for taking the time to reply. You don’t know how much that means. I have noticed how wonderful you and your fellow sewing-blogger goddesses are! So kind and thoughtful and ready to share. It makes a difference for all of us…beginners or pros! Keep on creating these beautiful pieces of art and Happy Mother’s Day! Cheers!
Nicole
Do the flannel and cotton have the same shrinking rate so the blocks still look even?
brenna
Yes, they do shrink at a different rate, so be sure to wash and dry both fabrics before starting on the project. After washing and drying it should shrink about as much as it is going to.
Amy
I’m about to start my first ever quilt and I have been wondering how to make a straight line to make the cross. Genius! I can’t sew straight without guides.
Virginia
All the info I just read throught was very helpful. I have never made a rag quit & my daughter onces one. But I didn’t know it would be made of flannel. Glad to find out before I messed up alot of material.
Thanks for all the tips
Virginia
Jamie
Just curious if you have trouble with pieces of the frayed strings sticking to the flannel and what you do about it. Thanks.
brenna
Yes, after I take the blanket out of the dryer there is usually is some strings sticking to the flannel. I use a little battery operated lint remover. Here is a link to one like mine. http://www.hsn.com/products/singer-fuzzy-wuz-lint-remover/4577150?sz=31&sf=CT0054&ac=INCCT0054&cm_mmc=Shopping%20Engine-_-PLA-_-Crafts%20and%20Sewing-_-4577150&channel=Froogle&mr:referralID=c51185ce-e41d-11e2-9389-001b2166c62d
Hope that helps!
weekendnomad
Thanks for the awesome tips.
I was wondering if you have ever had any batting peeking through the “ragged” edges (from sewing too close to the edges of the batting inside the “fabric-batting sandwiches”)…will this cause a problem? Does it just fall apart and get in the lint trap?
Thank you!
brenna
Actually my mother-in-law has had that happen and has never had a problem. You can see it a little, but it hasn’t fallen apart or caused any problem.
weekendnomads
Thanks, Brenna.
You are so helpful.
I think this is going to work well!
Cheers!
Sallie
Hey Brenna, I’m probably going to sew my first rag quilt soon, so your tips were very helpful! It’s always better to learn from others’ mistakes, eh? I was wondering, since you make so many, if you sell them? And if you do what do you find is a good price that people are willing to pay for them?
Thanks!
brenna
I honestly haven’t sold them. We had a baby boom last year and they were all gifts. I don’t have any idea how much I would charge, but I would recommend going on etsy.com. Find a rag quilts similar in size to what you think you will make yours, and see how much a few people are charging. Hope that helps.
Margi
I have my squares ready to sew together…this is the first rag quilt (or any quilt!!!) that I have ever attempted. When I sewed my x across each square diagonally, they didn’t always go from corner to corner!!! Yes, I have trouble sewing a straight line!! Do I need to go back and rip those stitches out and redo, or will it really make a difference in the long run??? I know now to use the paper to line up to make these straight but am hoping I can wait until “next time” to do that:)
brenna
Margi, it is purely a personal decision. I can’t sew a straight line for the life of me, so I understand. You wont have a problem sewing the block together, or with the quilt. It will hold up just fine. The only thing that is a problem, and this is purely personal preference, is that the quilting lines wont match up. Your “x” lines wont touch necessarily. But, I can tell you even when to sew straight and try to match it up, it doesn’t always happen. So, in my personal opinion, I wouldn’t worry about it. If you can live with the stitching being off a little, keep going. There is no sense making yourself nuts and taking the fun out of it.
Margi
I think I will just let it be this time…then I can really see improvement (hopefully) on the next one. I agree that there is no need to get all flustered and upset while doing this or there may not be a “next time”!!
Thanks for the advice.
Darlene
I just sewed my sandwich blocks in rows. Now I want to start sewing the rows together. When I match up the seams do I open them up on each side and sew or do I fold one to the left and the other to the right? I didn’t know if opening both side of the seams and sewing them would make them weaker as time goes on and repeated washings. Your pics are good but I still really couldn’t tell what you prefer. Thanks!!!
brenna
I fold one to one side and the other to the other side. Since you cut all the seams up in the end you are right, you really can’t tell which way they go. I think is the easiest just to fold them each to opposite sides. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Cheryl
I have made many rag quilts with the front always cotton sometimes flannel in the middle but mostly cotton. The backs are always flannel. A friend of mine told me I would be sorry as over time & washing the flannel would bunch up on the back as different rate of shrinkage. I don’t see that happening yet. I NEVER PRE WASH EITHER. I have sold several & don’t want any one upset with me over something I may have caused. They look fine to me. I have won three Blue ribbons for three different quilts at the fair. So the judges must think they are OK.
I have never sewn much so Rag Quilts are my first real experience with sewing. I just love making these quilts. Thank you for any input on this matter for me…..
brenna
Cheryl, I think it is very common to use cotton on front and flannel on the back. I have seen tons of quilts like that. I have never seen any problem like that with ones I have done or seen, but I do pre- wash. But, usually when people have problems with shrinkage is in the first few washes. So, if you have been doing that for a while and they have been just fine after the first few washes than I think that you are in the clear. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Jenny
Cheryl,
I’m not sure if you still watch this board, but when you say you don’t prewash your blankets, do you mean before you sew or before you sell? I’ve not prewashed my fabric and now my blanket is made and I’m trying to figure out if I should wash it before I set it out to sell. Thanks for your help (or anyone else who has insight!)
Nancy
I started making rag quilts a year ago. I appreciate your tips because there is always room for improvement. And I am always looking for ways to do things better and easier. My quilts are three layers of flannel but I am intrigued by comments that most quilts are made of cotton fronts and flannelette backs. What kind of cotton do you use? I assume it is not a polyester/cotton blend.
I look forward to your response.
brenna
Just a quilters cotton. I would keep it 100% cotton, I think that does the best with the flannel. Thank you for your kind words, glad you enjoyed the tips.
Debbie
If you don’t want to spend a lot of $ on the batting, I have used an inexpensive blanket from Wal-Mart ($10.00), and cut it up and used it instead! You can actually get two full sized quilts done with one cheap blanket! And they’re often a little thicker, and sturdier than the batting. Thanks for all the tips!
brenna
What a good idea Debbie.
Arlene
I have made several of these quilts and I use flanelette instead of quilt batting, then I don’t have to quilt an x across the block. My blocks measure 7 inches before sewing. I also use a rotary cutter for cutting all the blocks. It’s easier on my hand and I can cut 8 layers at a time.
brenna
What great tips, I use a rotary cutter also.
Diana
I finished a rag quilt I was making for a friend this weekend. It turned out great! I washed it a couple times to get the raging started and then decided to wash it one more time before I gave it to her. I pulled it out of the dryer and it had split in half. I sewed it back together and washed it again. It completely fell apart. A total loss! You can rip the squares off like a piece of perforated paper. I discovered that the thread I was using is 100% rayon 40wt. I guess it’s used for embroidery and stuff like that. NOT QUILTING! I think I was drawn to the Sulky brand because it was shiny. It also said on the top that it is Silky, Shiny, Strong & Washable. I am a novice at sewing and I guess I thought thread was thread. To say that I am sick to my stomach is a total understatement. So off to the fabric store I went again last night to get more fabric and 100% cotton quilting thread. Have you ever heard of this happening?
brenna
Diana, I’m so sorry that happened! I haven’t heard of that before. Honestly I hadn’t really thought about it, but I guess now I can see how that would be a problem. Good Luck on the next one!
Jane Seal
I have made several rag quilts out of homespun on the front and back and batting in the middle. If you prewash the flannel does it still ravel ok in the finished quilt?
brenna
Yes, it still ravels very well! I really don’t see any difference from pre-washing it.
Jane Seal
thank you so much. I’m anxious to try one.
Sarah
What size needle and thread stitch distance did you use for your quilt? Thank you!
brenna
I usually use a denim needle because of the thickness and stitch length around 2.5, maybe as high as 3 if it’s really thick.
Maryann
I just made my first rag quilt made of 5 prints. One is a red marbled flannel. I was worried it would bleed so I tested it by snipping off a block, letting it soak in water, and checking it after 30 mins to see if the water was clear or not. It was clear from what I could tell, so I washed it (no color catcher since I don’t have any). I had another print that was white based with red fire trucks (not a lot of red, just a little) that I didn’t test and now that I have washed the quilt, just those printed squares are a bit pink. I have other white based squares on the quilt that are still white, so do you think the fire trucks bled??
brenna
Sorry that you had that happen. I think it is very possible! I have had something similar happen to one of my quilts. It really stinks because I know I would have never thought about that as a problem area. You might could wash it a couple times with a color catcher now to see if it would help. I’m thinking I might have put laundry detergent on the spots and let it set for a while. Hope that might help.
Lindielee
Hi! I hope you or anyone here can advise me. I’ve made dozens of quilts but never a rag quilt. I was always concerned about my washer and the lint produced by washing the quilt. Because of chemical and perfume sensitivities I can’t go within 30 ft of a laundry mat and my hose is not long enough to reach the utility sink. Do you have any suggestions how to avoid my washer being clogged with lint? Also, I’ve seen some rag quilts that are very thick with fluffy edges and wondered how it is done, perhaps, two layers of flannel for batting?
brenna
I wouldn’t worry about the washing machine. The dryer causes problems for some people, but all you need to do is stop it a few times in the drying cycle and clean the lint filter. I just wouldn’t wash it or dry it with anything else. The 2 layers of flannel alone get pretty fluffy, but I know my mother- in-law has cut her batting the same size as her blocks so the batting or flannel sticks out in the frayed part. I hope that makes sense. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Lynne Lampman
I made my 1st of 5 rag quilt 6 years ago. At that time I bought a walking foot for my Kenmore sensor sew 70 purchased in the mid 80s during the time a friends and I ran a quilt shop in CT. I still love my machine, but for some unknown reason my foot is now breaking my needles. The metal plate is just too far forward. Instead of driving myself crazy I’ve just now ordered the model Kenmore says will work. Other than that temporary slowdown I’m wondering if you have a formula for the olacement of the squares on the ragged side? I call it the top, but some refer to it as the bottom. I love to make my backside (unragged) into quilt patterns. I did a log cabin on my daughters. Doing that makes one a tad crazy when putting the 3 pieces together. I laid the log cabin design out then numbered each piece per row then figured the rag side.
I’m now working with 6 prints and 3 solids and my unragged side is going to be the disappearing 9 patch. With that said my chemo brain is looking for an easy set-up of either 6 or 9 fabrics for a 7×10 row of the rag side without any 2 same fabrics touching.
I’m praying you or someone here can help me. Thanks y’all. Lynne
brenna
I’m not sure if this answers your question or not, but my back unragged side is the same as my front. I didn’t want to get the front perfect to find I had a mess on the back, so both sides are the same for my sanity.
nagc
Question? If you want to do a cotton fabric and a flannel would you was them first? Since they my not shrink the same?
brenna
Absolutely! You are exactly right, I think they would shrink differently. So, wash first to be safe.
Laura
What type thread is best for rag quilts? I’ve been using all purpose 100% polyester and sometimes when I sew over the 6 layers the thread breaks.
brenna
I think the last time I made one, it was with machine quilting thread. These days my thread is usually 100% cotton, and I’m sure it would work well too. Sorry you are having trouble. I hope that helps. Let me know if you have anymore questions. Thickness can always be tricky, you could also try lengthening your stitch to help you get over those areas.
donna
is it necessary to sew x in center of the blocks
brenna
You don’t have to do an “x” but I would do some kind of quilting on it. The only time I sewed a rag quilt and didn’t do the “x” my batting pulled loose from the edges after washing and ended up wadded in a ball in the middle of my block. You can imagine how broken hearted I was to have this happen to each one of the blocks in my quilt.
Laurie Gifford
I am new to rag quilting also and I see you butt you seams. I generally open them which means when I am join the strips together there is 8 layers to sew threw(quilt front and back twice and 2 seams) This is quite thick and my little machine doesn’t like it at all. What time of machine are you sewing with? If I am going to keep sewing these I think I should invest is a good quality machine that can handle these thick seams…
brenna
When I started I had a Singer similar to this one… http://amzn.to/22HlTSe. To be honest I wasn’t extremely happy with the machine but I was able to sew most of my first rag quilts on this machine. I just had to lengthen my stitch, use a leather needle of course and use things like this.. http://amzn.to/1VxIpOW to work around my machine not wanting to go through all of the layers. I have since upgraded to a Janome… http://amzn.to/1WAKb0C. I like it much better for my all around quilting needs. That being said because it is a much more expensive machine, I’m reluctant to do things like rag quilts on it because of how much lint the flannel produces and having my machine cleaned isn’t cheap. Don’t get me wrong I really, really love my Janome, but I guess because it is new that crosses my mind each time. I hope that makes sense.
Nancy
I made a drag quilt with flannel on front and back and batting in the center. Came out great. I decided the batting was a bit heavy and wanted to use flannel for the inside of my ‘sandwich’ (so 3 layers of flannel) I just completed it and took it out of the dry. So CUTE!…..BUT, it won’t STOP Fraying. I don’t mean fraying, I mean bits and bits of strings of fabric falling out everywhere! I shook it and shook it, still more. I put it back in the dryer on no heat, still more. Shook it and shook it, washed and dried it again, still more. You see where I’m going. Why won’t it stop!!!!???? Any idea how to stop it, or at least why? I’ve bought 21 yards of fabric to make more and good grief, this is awful!!!
Nancy
I mean rag quilt….oops
brenna
Is your flannel “batting” sewn into your seam allowance? The part that you cut to rag?
Laura
I just took my rag quilt out of the dryer and can’t believe I made a mistake laying out my squares. How I didn’t notice before I “ragged” it I don’t know. Have you ever taken a quilt apart AFTER you’ve tagged it? I’m afraid the whole thing is a loss.
brenna
I have, but it wasn’t easy and I almost messed it up more.
Kana
I would like to know how much extra batting I should have in my flannel quilt? It’s being quilted on a long arm & I would assume that it needs more than 5 inches extra on each side.
brenna
I would check with you quilter, each prefer different amounts.
Connie Butler
I just washed my finished rag quilt and had a seam cone apart on the back! Is there a way to repair it? I must have snipped though a seam when I ragged it.
brenna
I have done that. If it is a small cut I might just add fray check and keep an eye on it. Adding a patch over it might be the best bet though.
Peg
Maybe I’m too much of a beginner, but, what stitch length and tension do you use on your rag quilts? I am using 2 cotton layers (top and bottom, and a very thin cotton batting.
Thanks!
Peg
Brenda Rigby
I have just made a beautiful red, white and black rag quilt. I washed all the material first. the back is red minky, the middle is red flannel and the top is blocks of red and black minky. white cotton print, black and white gingham, and red and black flannel buffalo print. I washed a few extra scraps 1st, and it didn’t bleed at all. It is queen size, and I washed it with 3 shout color dye catchers. And, yes it bled. I am heart sick . Any ideas? I took it into the dry cleaners and they said it would bleed more. I am thinking of washing it a few times and replacing the white print squares. Have you ever done that after it is ragged out? I am an unpicker also!
brenna
Yes, I have had red bleed on white as well. If I remember right in the end we just left it. I have had some luck with letting laundry detergent sit on the spots with other bleeding issues, but if you think it will happen again it might be better to change it out. So, yes, I have undone a quilt before it’s not the easiest thing. It does fray a lot in doing this. Are you thinking about taking the whole thing apart to fix it? If so I would just cut the squares out of your quilt. Like cut just inside of where it’s ragged. This would leave you with smaller squares but then you could kind of star over. You could add a boarder around it to make up the difference or add other squares in. I have done this before to save a quilt. Another option might be to sew some kind of patch like square on top of those white squares. Good luck. I hope you are able to figure something out.