BellaBoo

You have to clip very close to the stitching. It helps to stitch the long seam two times in case your scissors slip. Your strips seem be too long and too wide to fray tightly and may just ravel instead of fraying.

Pam B

I love to make raggy quilts so I consider myself not an expert, but someone who definitely can give you some tips! First of all, if you have used a combination of 100% cotton and flannel fabrics, you should be able to get a nice 'fray'. You do need to remember that you are only going to want about a 1/2 to 3/4 inch seam allowance..then you should clip every half inch, or so...right down to the stitching. I purchased a pair of scissors that are kind of like springy...they are specific for rag quilting and I love them (otherwise your hand will really hurt). Since you have already made this quilt...I would suggest that you go completely around it and trim the frayed edges down to no more than an inch...preferably a little less...and then wash/dry it again. It should turn out more like you are envisioning. Right now it kind of looks like a cross between a raggy quilt and one of those no-sew fleecy blankets where you leave the longer strips (2-3) inches and then knot them. I certainly hope you don't think I am being hyper critical of your work...but I do sense you are frustrated with it and these are just suggestions! Good luck! And, in defense of those tied-fleecy blankets...they are fun to do also...especially for kids to do!

ChristineD

The first rag quilt I made I washed at home in my top load, adgetating washer and it frayed really well.

I made my second rag quilt and had the same problem you are having. It wouldn't fray. The only difference is that I took it to the laundry mat and put it in a front load washer. I didn't have time to wash it again at home.

It was the same pattern so that couldn't have been an issue. They were 1/2" seam allowance and I cut 1/2" apart on both quilts.

I can only assume the front load washer was not enough motion to cause fraying.

Good luck.
Christine

sunnyhope

I will sit down 2morrow and cut them slimmer and shorter and then hope for the best. and nope no thumbledrier but i can do that this time, i dont have drier s i have 2 take this 2 mum anyway.

btw, our washer went kadooodledo a few days after washing this quilt,,,,,,,,,,,,,, u dont think my quillt has messed up my washer do you..... plz say no,lol

we r having someone to come look at it on monday but we have removed lots of thread :oops:

moosegirl

You might want to try a brush with med stiff brisels to loosed the weave of the fabric before you wash it again. I have had some success on projects with this method. Moosegirl

Pam B

Oh, I know I have always been told that these raggy quilts are very hard on our washer and driers. Sometimes I take mine in to the laundramat for that very reason. We live in the country and everything goes to our septic system and I am afraid the threads might be bad for that, as well. And I have never thought about there being a difference between the top loading and the front loading washers. Hmmmmm...you may be on to something there. No matter where you wash and dry, you do need to clean out the filters very frequently during the cycles. And, I do think drying in a drying will help to get that fluffy look. Let us know how it turns out after you do your trimming!

Lacelady

You could try looking to see if you have a blocked filter somewhere. Mine is low down in the front, behind a little door. Be prepared with a couple of cloths to catch any water that drains out.

chewboo

and the answer is yes it can mess up your washer most take them to a laundry mate to do also you do need to clip kit closer

Prism99

Yes, there's quite a difference. The top loaders use an agitator to twist and turn clothing back and forth. If you've ever unloaded a sheet that has been twisted into knots in the washing machine, you'll get the idea. Front loaders, on the other hand, simply use gravity to have the clothes tumble from the top of the drum down. This is a much more gentle action. Front loaders are better for clothing; top loaders are better for ragging quilts.

MadQuilter

Your tabs look like they are too long. It may a therapeutic session to trim them back with scissors to about 1/2" then rewash and see what happens.