Hello, I just subscribed to this group. I am going to be a beginner quilter and will be making a rag quilt. My question is: when I sew the X do I sew it from corner to corner or just where the batting is (the batting is smaller than the square? Also, could I make the quilt with cotton on the front and flannel on the back? Thanks Loretta (a grandmother just beginning a new hobby)
Repeat after me: THERE ARE NO QUILT POLICE. MAKE THE QUILT TO MAKE YOURSELF HAPPY.
You can use cotton on the front and flannel on the back, or you can use denim, or corduroy or all flannel or all cotton, or whatever. Keep in mind that if you have batting in it an use heavier weight fabric on one or both sides, this quilt ends up being very heavy. You have to decide if you like that or not....Here in New England, heavy is good. If the quilt were for someone in Miami, maybe not so good. You can also make the rag quilt without batting at all....my guild does an ongoing project where we make the rag quilts with denim on one side and flannel or cotton on the other, and we don't do batting at all (and most of us dont quilt the X either). When I have done the X on rag quilts, I've done it from corner to corner, but the quilt is not going to self destruct if you do it the other way, either. Personally, I think that the stitching will be less likely to come loose if you go corner to corner because the seams will crisscross it when you sew the 'blocks' together. Or if you just want to do it to cover the batting, you could backstitch and not worry about that issue.
Bottom line, the rag quilts are fun, cuddly and warm...have fun making it...its pretty hard to do it "wrong"
well put. dont forget to prewash all the fabrics in advance, especially that flannel. it can shrink more than the cotton and if not prewashed can end up with a weird quilt. well i'd prewash it good anyhow. ymmv. i prefer the X right thru to the corners, mostly cuz i can then chain sew them quicker. tho the point about crossed seams holding up better is a very good point to keep in mind. j.
" snipped-for-privacy@prodigy.net" wrote... Repeat after me: THERE ARE NO QUILT POLICE. MAKE THE QUILT TO MAKE YOURSELF HAPPY.
You can use cotton on the front and flannel on the back, or you can use denim, or corduroy or all flannel or all cotton, or whatever. Keep in mind that if you have batting in it an use heavier weight fabric on one or both sides, this quilt ends up being very heavy. You have to decide if you like that or not....Here in New England, heavy is good. If the quilt were for someone in Miami, maybe not so good. You can also make the rag quilt without batting at all....my guild does an ongoing project where we make the rag quilts with denim on one side and flannel or cotton on the other, and we don't do batting at all (and most of us dont quilt the X either). When I have done the X on rag quilts, I've done it from corner to corner, but the quilt is not going to self destruct if you do it the other way, either. Personally, I think that the stitching will be less likely to come loose if you go corner to corner because the seams will crisscross it when you sew the 'blocks' together. Or if you just want to do it to cover the batting, you could backstitch and not worry about that issue.
Bottom l> Hello, I just subscribed to this group. I am going to be a
I just did some ragging. The only young one in the family asked for a Big Bird nightgown. Big Bird's 'hair-do' is accomplished with about 2 dozen assorted yellow circles with raggedy edges. The pattern in 'Quilting With The Muppets' suggested satin stitching around the edge of each circle. I thought rag finish would be more fun. A little more than ¼" in from the edges of the circles, I stitched them with a very short straigh stitch and I backed each one with a yellow gingham that is happy to ravel Lots. We will expect that gown to be worn day and night for a very long time. Polly
None were as much fun to stitch as the raggedy-feathered Big Bird. He's a hoot. Doing all of those shaggy edges forced me to think sort of inside-out and backwards. I'm sure it was a good exercise for my brain. Polly
Loretta,
I've seen patterns telling you to do it either way! I like sewing just to the edge of the batting because it makes a nicer cut at the corners - just my opinion. Others may differ.
Donna in (SW) Idaho
Make it any way you like. There are no set rules. Please yourself. I knew a man named Dennis who made the most beautiful quilts out of different colored denim and dark flannel backing. They made excellent gifts for boys and men.
Not that you need one more thing to think about, BUT, I have seen the rag quilts done with a variety of decorative stitches used in the "X" shape, instead of the traditional straight stitched "X" and it really does look Very Nice! If your machine is capable, it's also a nice way to try out some of those cute stitches that we just never quite know what to do with. Maybe on your next one if it seems too overwhelming on the first one. As far as stopping, with the decoratives, you could always stay stitch the ends and pull the thread ends into the inner layers. Just another idea.
Welcome to the group!!!
Lorraine in WA
Loretta: Since I haven't made a rag quilt, I'd just like to say Welcome to the Land of RCTQ. We have fun here, no moderator, no rules. The only thing you really need to know is that it is very wise to have your chocolate vetted. Just send a pound or two to the Office of the Official Chocolate Taster of RCTQ, which is in my Palace here in Virginia. I will test and taste and report back via email. You don't have to thank me ... this is my unselfish volunteer duty in RCTQ. A tough job, but someone's gotta do it. :)
Pat In Virginia/USA
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