coldtoesinmi

I have not quilted in a long time and I am making a rag quilt to start out. I need some advice on the best pattern for the quilt. I saw an easy one that was just 9 inch squares (8 inch finished), I wondered if that was to large a block for a rag quilt.

I am making this quilt with homespun cotton as a trial because a couple of years ago I planned a rag quilt and bought some of the most beautiful flannel I have ever seen. I do not want to "learn" on that. It cost a couple of hundred dollars. Any advice would be great, I have looked around this site, but I would love some personal stories...

Thanks-

Michelle :D

crashnquilt

I've made quite a few rag quilts. The guys in the family just LOVE them! The largest square I've used is 7 inch with 6 inch finished. Here is what I do to make my squares.

Place back fabric wrong side up
Place batting cut to finished size of block
Place top fabric right side up

Place marker dots at the 1 inch mark on all four corners
Stitch from mark to mark making a square
Stitch across diagonal twice making an X inside the stitched square

Place blocks together and stitch along stitching line to make a row.

Hope this helps.

BellaBoo

I've many rag quilts from homespun. I layer and sew the way crashnquilt explained. One important tip I can give you is buy these scissors by Heritage Cutlery

[IMG]http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z23/sewbug/13033.jpg[/IMG]

The Fiskar's spring handle scissors are nice but cannot compare to these for cutting rag quilts. I have no hand fatigue at all using these scissors for snipping. the blades are razor sharp and they pop open with no drag at all. The blades are slightly rounded to prevent accidentally cutting into the seam.

Carol W

Please post a pic of your rag quilt when you finish!!

I can't wait to see it!!

littlehud

Never made one, but want to try someday. Post a picture when your done.

mimisharon

I've only made one with the five inch square, but I used flannel on the inside for batting and the back side. I used a regular cotton but think the homespun would be wonderful. It ravels so nicely on it's own. The Fiskar spring scissors are a must if you have arthritis especially.

Raggy quilts work up pretty fast if you cut all your layers, then lay them in a stacks, no pinning, I didn't mark mine, I used a built in leaf stitch to decorate and sew the inside of the squares. On the smaller squares I only cut a half inch in, but I can see on the larger block using a longer cut. That makes a lot of sense.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. I've even made purses and baby quilts using the raggy block. Just don't cut the squares until you have them all sewn together, I tried that on one and ended up with a real mess inside and out of my sewing machine.

Sharon

patty48

I've got "make a rag quilt" on my list of quilts to do......Can't wait to see a picture.......

sharon b

I cut mine 7 inch squares and then just sew an X across the square. I don't mark the X just eyeball it :lol: Then sew then together in rows .
Sharon

Sharon M

I've made several rag quilts and love them. I think the easiest way is to sew an X on each block. That holds the batting down best IMO. If you aren't careful how you quilt the squares the batting can roll up between the layers. Oh my ..... when you wash them and dry them to get the raggedy look make sure you clean your washer and dryer lint trap out!!
Have fun with it and be sure and post a picture of the finished quilt. :D

coldtoesinmi

Your advice is so helpful. I have never felt so much encouragement to begin work on any craft project, thanks for the well wishes. What kind of scissors were those blue handled ones?
You said they were not Fiskar???

Michelle