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Rag Quilt advice please =)

Hello there! My name is Renee and I am a "sometimes" seamstress. Mostly when I have to or when I *really* want to! The kids, homeschooling, animals and DH take most of my time but I am going to try a rag quilt and see how interested I can get my 7 yr old daughter in helping me. I think I will let her make a pink one for grandma. Anyhoo, my question is, what's the best way to make one? I know that's a big question and I have looked online and saw several different ways to do it but I thought I would ask ladies who ACTUALLY quilt. I have decided on making it out of flannel since it seems that will probably be the softest. Also, do you need batting between the squares? What's a good size for the squares and what is a Grandma Sized quilt measured at? Do you need to sew an "x" or other design on the two squares before pinning and sewing them? Is an inch a large enough area to clip for the fuzzy part? How many times do you need to wash or dry it before you use it? I am sure I will have more questions but if anyone here has a few minutes to spare and write me with advice, I would greatly appreciate it!

Renee in Oregon

Happy New Year everyone!

Reply to
Batson Cats
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Sorry Renee, I can't help, but just wanted to wish you good luck and fun in making the quilt with your little girl. You will get answers galore within a couple of days/hours! . In message , Batson Cats writes

Reply to
Patti

I haven't made a rag quilt either but think I can help you decide what size the quilt needs to be. You say "Grandma Sized" and the answer, of course, would be 'what size is Grandma?'. If she's a skinny little bird, that's one size and if she has quite ample padding, that's another. Do you want it to be about the size of a fine bath towel or one of those bath sheets? And yes, 7 years-old is a great age for sharing sewing. Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

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Haven't made one myself, but I'm looking at this one. It would fit a smallish Grandma. (Normally I make lap quilts closer to 45 X 60".) The instructions seem pretty good. Have fun! And welcome! Roberta in D, Queen of the Scrap Heap

"Batson Cats" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:he%mh.40$Ke.6@trndny08...

Reply to
Roberta Zollner

Reply to
Pat in Virginia

Yes your daughter is ready to sew, my 2 girls learned at an early age. I have taught 4-Her's and Home Ec students (boys and girls) for many years, this is almost a foolproof type project. Here are some suggestions:\

Do not wash your fabric ahead of time.Yes, flannel will the softest and fray the best when you do the clips. I have my students use all the same size block rather than worry about the different sizes It is up to you if you want to put the batting in between the blocks, for a light throw and a 1st project it might not be necessary.(fewer pieces to handle) but I still have my students stitch the blocks together with the X just another chance to gain some sewing skill.

I had my students use a 5 inch block with 1/2 inch seams, but 6 inch 3/4 inch seams will great too . Be sure to pin the squares with wrong sides together. If you are afraid that your daughter might tire of sewing before you get done make a larger block and then it will not take as many to make the project.

The most tedious part of the project is doing the clipping, be sure not to cut your stitches when clipping, a good sharp scissor is the best thing to speed the process along.

Wash on a full load of water. Be sure to clean the lint out of your washer.

When you put it in the dryer, stop and empty the lint trap about every 5-10 minutes. It will keep fraying for a while, so you may want to go thru the process twice. if you want e-mail me privately and I will help more if I can Audrey in SD

Reply to
Audrey

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