If you can sew a straight line, you can make a rag quilt.
Rag quilts sew together quickly, are fun and unique and make great gifts! A favorite among my family. We call them “TV blankets” because they are great for cozying up on the couch to watch your favorite flick.
No special quilting skills are required and you can make one in a weekend (or less)!
Let’s start quilting…….
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Designing your Rag Quilt
The first step in creating a rag quilt is deciding on your design. What size quilt to you want? Do you want to use squares or strips or a combination of both? What size squares will you use? What pattern will you make?
Most rag quilts are made simply from squares or strips of different sizes sewn together to create the size of quilt desired. Whether your squares are all the same size or you wish to create some blocks, the basic concept of making a rag quilt is the same.
Using graph paper, is a great way to create your quilt. The size of the quilts I make are based on the person I am making it for. For a child’s quilt, I use 6 inch squares. Using 7 squares across by 9 squares long, this makes a quilt 42 inches by 54 inches. For a larger man, you will want to make your quilt bigger by either increasing the size of the squares or adding more squares. For example, increasing the squares to 8 inches (7 across by 9 long) will produce a quilt 56 inches wide by 72 inches long. Or using six inch squares that are 9 squares across by 12 squares long will create a blanket 54″ x 72″.
For standard sizes of quilts and number of squares to use, download Nana’s FREE Easy Guide to Quilt Sizes.
Need more inspiration? Check out Nana’s Pinterest Board.
Purchase your Fabric
The unique look of a rag quilt is created from the frayed seams, therefore, when choosing fabric, you will want something that frays well. I most always use flannel because it is soft and cozy, but you may also use quilting cottons. Some people use fleece or minky, and although they are cuddly, they do not fray. If you would like to use fleece or minky as a backing, use flannel as your inside layer to give you at least two layers that fray.
You are going to need a top, backing and an inside layer. To make a rag quilt, you are going to use a 1/2 inch seam allowance, therefore, your squares will be cut one inch larger than the finished size. So, if you are creating 6 inch squares, you will cut your squares 7″ x 7″. For 3″ x 6″ rectangles, you will cut 4″ x 7″.
For the inside layer, you may use a layer of flannel cut the same size as your squares. All three layers will become part of your frayed edges. Or you may opt for a layer of batting. As you do not want batting to show in your seams, you will cut it to the size of your finished square . Do not add the extra inch. (Nana likes the batting for the extra warmth and loft).
How much fabric you require will depend upon the size of the quilt you desire. This handy chart, also available in the free download, should help you determine the amount of fabric to buy.
Precuts also work great for rag quilts. Your 10 inch “Layer cakes” will produce 9 inch squares and the 5 inch “Charms” will make 4 inch squares!!
Cut Your Squares
Before cutting, I recommend prewashing your fabric and drying it on high heat. This allows the fabric to shrink and “sets” the colors.
Fold your fabric in half with WRONG sides facing and cut two (or more) squares at a time. They will be ready for stuffing!
Layer and Sew
Unlike quilting, you are going to sew all three layers together block by block. Here’s an example of your layers using flannel.
Place your backing block right side down. Layer your batting (or flannel) on top of it, then place your top block right side up.
And an example of layer using batting.
Pin together if desired. You are now going to sew an “x” through the middle of the block to hold it all in place. To make your “x” sew each block from corner to corner (twice).
To mark your “X” lines quickly and easily, fold your block corner to corner and press with your iron. Simply sew along the crease!
Assemble the Rag Quilt
Once all your blocks are together, they will be assembled row by row into your quilt. Remember, your seams will be exposed on the top of the quilt! Sew your blocks with the back sides facing each other. All your seams will be facing outward on the SAME SIDE of the quilt.
If you are making bigger blocks from smaller squares, sew those first. Next sew the blocks together to make rows and finally, sew these rows together.
Once all the blocks are together, sew 1/2 inch all around the outside edge of your quilt.
Snip the Seams
Here comes the fun part. You may want to grab your tea and put on your favorite movie because now you are going to clip your seams. Clip ALL your seams and all around the edge of the quilt. Clip up to your seam approximately 1/2 inches apart. Be careful not to cut through the stitching.
After snipping a few rag quilts with scissors, I was soooo happy to find these handy scissors! They are worth every nickel!! Because they are spring loaded, they make snipping go faster and take the pain out of your hands.
When done, check carefully to be sure you clipped ALL the seams.
Wash your Rag Quilt
To cause the fraying of the seams, the quilt should be washed and dried. Be sure to clean out your lint catcher a few times during the drying cycle as there will be a lot of it!!
The more your quilt is washed, the more it frays. Be sure to wash at least 3 times before gifting.
TA DA! You just made a rag quilt!
Take a picture and post it on Instagram and don’t forget to tag #whatsnanamaking @whatsnanamaking2019. I would love to see it.
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