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Here are two articles by Penny on Making Rag Quilts:
Fun and Easy Rag Quilting
The first time I heard the term “Rag Quilting,” I though it had something to do with using big, long rags of fabric and somehow weaving them together to make a quilt.
Boy, was I wrong!
It turns out that rag quilting got its name from the ragged edges on the quilt. No doubt in my mind that this quilt design was created by a quilter as a variation of a Quilt as You Go kind of pattern – whether it was intentional or accidental is something only that quilter knows.
Wide seam allowances are common for rag quilting – usually at least 1.” So, if you would like each block to be an 8” square when finished, you should cut 10” squares of fabric and 7¾” batting or flannel.
To make a rag quilt, you take 2 squares of fabric (could be triangles or any other shape, but squares are most common), and a piece of batting for each block in your quilt. You could use a piece of flannel instead. The batting or flannel should be cut about 1¼” smaller than the squares of fabric.
Place one square of fabric right side down on your table. Place the piece of batting or flannel in the center of the fabric. And then place the other piece of fabric right side up on top of the batting. You now have a stack with 3 layers, and the right sides of the fabric are facing out.
Stitch through all of the layers, to secure them in place. Usually these squares are machine stitched, using a simple straight stitch, making an X through the square. To do that, you begin in one corner and stitch to the opposite corner. Take your square out of the machine, and repeat the process on the other corner. You could do some fancy quilting in each block if you would like.
Continue this layering and stitching for as many squares as you would like – depending on how large you would like your quilt to be.
Once you have all of your squares/blocks stitched, it is time to begin to sew them together to make your quilt.
The process is the similar as if you were sewing blocks together to make a quilt top, with just a slight twist or two. Take two blocks and place them WRONG sides together. Stitch them together using a 1” seam allowance. Sew the seam along the entire edge of the fabric, and do not backstitch.
Sew the blocks in each row together. Now you have a bunch of rows of blocks with all of the seam allowances facing to one side (usually the front side).
Once that is done, open the seam allowances, and sew the rows together, continuing to place the WRONG sides of the fabric together, so your seam allowances will face the top (right side) of the quilt.
After all of your blocks are sewn together, clip the seam allowances – that is what makes the “ragged” edge, or fringe. Take a very sharp pair of scissors and cut about 1/2” into the seam allowance, making sure not to cut into the stitching. Make these slices about 1/4” apart from each other. These slices are from the edge of the fabric toward the stitching that holds the seams together.
Once all of the seams are clipped, shake your quilt out to remove as many of the loose threads as possible, then wash the quilt and place it in the dryer. This will cause the clipped seam allowances to fringe even more.
And, now you’re done!
Tips for Making Rag Quilts
Rag quilts are fun and easy to make. They are very forgiving in many ways, and sewing them together is somewhat easier than piecing a patchwork quilt.
Here are a few tips that might make the construction of your rag quilt even easier:
Fabric
100% cotton homespun plaids or flannels work really well, because they fray a lot! You could use a 100% cotton with a loose weave – the drawback is that the quilt itself may not wear well.
See if you can find fabric that has color on the back. Since both sides of the fabric will show in the seams, a bright white background may create a definite outline for each block. That may either add or detract from your quilt.
As with all quilting, check the colorfastness of your fabric to be sure that the colors won’t bleed into each other.
Use a backing fabric that will complement your quilt. Remember, it will show in the seam allowances, and, if you use a light color for the quilt top, the backing fabric may show through (if it is very dark).
Piecing
Set your sewing machine to stitch 12-15 stitches per inch.
Use a sharp, new needle that is designed to sew medium-weight woven fabric
Use a neutral color of thread (unless you want your thread to stand out).
Use a 1” seam allowance to sew the blocks together. Check your pattern, though. Some rag quilts are set for ½” seam allowances. If you are piecing patches within a block, use a ¼” seam allowance.
Chain piece when possible.
I sew blocks together using open seam allowances. I have found that the fringing looks better. Other quilters sew blocks together with seam allowances facing opposite directions. As with so many other things in quilting – it’s up to you!
Fringing
Clipping through 2 layers of fabric at a time makes it easier, and you will make fewer mistakes.
Clip into the seam allowances on each seam and the outside of the quilt ¼” to 3/8” apart.
Clip into the seam allowances toward the stitching, stopping at least 1/8” away from the stitching holding your seams together.
Washing and Drying
Shake your quilt outside before you place it in the washer – to remove as many of the seam allowance threads as possible. (Pick your shaking spot carefully – you may have threads flying!)
If possible, use a washer with a lint trap.
Shake the quilt (again) and clean the lint trap in your dryer before you put the quilt in.
Once dried, shake the quilt (outside in your pre-marked spot!) to get rid of even more loose threads.
It may take more than 1 washing and drying to get the quilt to fringe as much as you would like. Not to worry, this will give it the “well-loved” look you want as well.
Use masking tape to remove wandering threads on the quilt. A vacuum cleaner works, too. Or, if you have one of those special lint remover rollers, use it.
Wear clothes that don’t attract lint – otherwise, you will be using masking tape on your clothes, too.
Most of all – Have fun and Happy Quilting!
Penny Halgren
About Penny Halgren:
Penny Halgren has been quilting for more than 27 years. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of quilting with beginning quilters and more skilled quilters all around the world.
Penny has authored 11 books and 5 DVD products teaching people how to make quilts from start to finish. She is the leading producer on graspr.com, The Instructional Video Network, with videos demonstrating quilting techniques, has authored more than 300 articles about quilting, and was featured in Entrepreneuer.com.
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She also manages quilting websites that provide other quilting-related information:
www.TheQuiltingCoach.com – a membership site that includes video, audio, and specific quilting instruction
www.Fabric-Postcards.com – home of Penny's Postcard Posse
www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com – quilt block patterns in multiple sizes
All this and more! Please see Penny's web site for complete information about this wonderful, experienced quilter: