LovinMySoldier

How many times have you put it in the dryer? I washed and dried one that I made for my son 3 or 4 times in a row and it helped a ton. Also how close did you make your cuts. The closer they are the better they fray I think. And I like to cut mine diagonally to the seams vs. straight on.

zoey

Your quilt turned out beautiful. Thank you all for the helpful tips. I think I am going to brush the seams with a stiff brush that might help. Will probably go back to flannel or homespun next time around. Ellie

DeEtta

I used cotton Christmas fabric to make each of my daughters a tree skirt. I did use flannel in between the layers of the cotton fabric though and the edges looked really good after I clipped and washed them.

ckcowl

for cotton i use a 1/2" seam and clip really close. the more layers you have the better it will turn out, if you only have a top and bottom layer there just isn't enough fabric to (fluff) at least a 3rd layer is needed, usually flannel works the best.
when i want to test to see if my fabric choices are going to 'fray' the way i want i make a practice piece, usually about 4 blocks sewn together, as they would be in the quilt and i make it start to finish and see if it is what i want...if it is great! i get going on the quilt (and i use the practice piece to make a pillow to go with it. if it does not then i can add another layer, or start over or adjust as needed to get the finish i am looking for. it's all trial and error ;)

amma

Sew your seams so that each snip is approx 1/2"
Also, angle your snips, so that you are cutting them on the bias and you will get better fraying :D:D:D

zoey

I've gotten a lot of great responses and tips thank you all for your help and encouragements. Ellie

zoey

from DeEtta: I used cotton Christmas fabric to make each of my daughters a tree skirt. I did use flannel in between the layers of the cotton fabric though and the edges looked really good after I clipped and washed them.

You know that sounds like it might help a lot as the flannel is heavier than the cotton and will curl and make the cotton curl too. Thanks for the great tip I might try it one more time. Will let you know how it turns out. Am determined to get one made to my satisfaction. Ellie

nursie76

Funny you should mention weed whacker! John Flynn (maker of the Flynn frame) actually uses a weed whacker to fluff the edges of his rag quilts. Check out the description here (you need to scroll down the page a little).:

http://www.flynnquilt.com/workshop/FreeLessons/

I also googled it and apparently he demoed it on a Fons & Porter episode. Perhaps you can find it.

Good luck.

AliKat

I know I made mine with flannel and it did really well.

A friend had given me the quilt snips for rag quilts and it was so much better than just using my scissors.

I also took the finished quilt to the laundromat ... got it wet ... and put it in the large dryer without any heat. Funny: a little Vietnamese woman saw it in the dryer and kept saying "is broken" as I kept pulling out the lint/threads. when I finally got it where I wanted it I actually dried it and showed it to her. She loved the quilt.

I'd never use my own drier. I don't want to hurt it with all the lint/threads. The laundromat is perfect for this.

ali

dungeonquilter

Any stiff brush will work. They do sell one just for it, but I use an toothbrush with stiff bristles that I bought by mistake.