BETTY62

I've made a rag quilt and it takes a lot more time than you think it will take. I agree with making one for yourself and then decide if you want to make 5 more. Just for the record, I did not find it difficult to make the quilt, but the clipping and washing do take up a lot of time.

orangeroom

I'm 43 and have made many rag quilts that measure 7 x 9 blocks. Usually 8" batting and 10" fabric (prior to snipping). If I'm doing nothing else I can make one in 24 hours. Even my hands will feel the pain after that and I have rag snips, bought from JoAnns. Seeing how I do count sleep time in that...take away ~8 hours...or 9 if we subtract eating and bathroom trips. 15 hours is a lot of time, if you're charging what a normal person should charge. She may just change her mind. Anyways, if you do launder these at home, clean out the lint trap once every 5 minutes. I'm NOT kidding. Only one at a time! We've got high efficiency washer and dryer.

I wouldn't recommend the pre-cut squares, then you have to worry that you're not catching the snipped part in your sewing. Careful to not snip too far. If you do, then make sure you fix it by sewing around the too far snipped area immediately. If not after it's dried, you will see a big 'flppt' poking out into the smooth side of the quilt.

Good luck!

Sandygirl

She also probably thinks by supplying the material goods, the "labor" will be cheap.
sandy

willferg

Even with the spring-loaded clippers, it's a lot of work and makes your hands get tired. Just sayin'.

BellaBoo

I have the rag dies for the Go. I like the 8" square rag die the best. I cut all my bigger scraps into rag squares. I have stacks of them ready to sew together when I need a quilt made fast. They make great donation quilts.

AliKat

Could you agree to teach her how to cut the squares of flannel and batting and then the ragging. I prefer my Fiskars Rag Snips for ragging [she could buy her own snips too.]

Let her help as she want the quilts. Unless she is infirm, then charge what you are comfortable with.

MaryMo

If you have not made one, I would suggest making one first to see how well you get along in the process. I've made several with the first one being the most fun. The last couple I made from scrap denim (from discarded jeans) and flannel I did not snip and they raveled just fine.

Tothill

I have made about 8 rag quilts.

I have only used batting in two, ones I made a dog quilts for last years secret santa. All the rest I either used denim and flannel with nothing in the middle (denim is very heavy). Or just a layer of flannel in the middle. If you do not use bating you will save time in the sewing. Flannel also adds to the ragged edge.

I cannot imagine snipping 5 quilts between now and Christmas. My hands hurt thinking of it.

A tip, if you have a top loading washing machine and have a soak cycle (that does not drain), use it. Strain the water with an wire strainer every few minutes. Keep repeating the agitating cycle. You will be amazed at how many thread bits you get out. Then complete the cycle and do as other shave said clean out the dryer screen every few minutes during the dry cycle.

If you are on septic I would not wash the quilt at home, the lint will clog the system.

I love rag quilts, but I would not make one for money.

judykay

Tip: ( I admit it's in the DUH category) hold it so the hook/latch is on the bottom. I was getting so frustrated with the snips hooking/ latching themselves when the safety hook was on top,[/QUOTE]

Thanks for this post, I now know the correct way to hold them, I too had the same problem. I have always said this board it the best, & so full of valuable information.

arheath

I have made several rag quilts however I don't use batting in mine. I think they are quite heavy enough without it. Also I just wet mine real good, shake them outside and toss in the dryer a couple of times. Rag just fine without all the washing.