Saturday, February 26, 2011

Cut, Sew, Snip, Wash

I've finished another rag quilt.  I really enjoy making these.  Heather (from BitterSweetAndPrim) had a piece of flannel fabric she gave me to create something for her.  A rag quilt was the first thing that came to mind.  I like using flannel to make them but any cotton will work.  It has to be a fabric that will fray to give a nice fringe look to the raw edges.  I usually make them with two layers, but in this case, I didn't have enough coordinating fabric, so this one is just one layer.  Two layers would make it warmer, for actual usage, and also add to the fringe. It still looks just as good and is just being used for decorationg. Here's the process I went through to create it.

First step is to cut out squares.  The size is total preference.  I used a 5" square.  Keep in mind, you will be sewing a 1/2" seam around the square, so the finished square will be a little smaller. 

Then you need to lay out your design.  Since I'm just using the two colours, that was the easiest part.

Stack up the squares in each row and it's off to the sewing machine.  If you are using two layers, you need to sew and "X" from one corner to the other, to attach the two layers together. (wrong sides together) Then you will first sew the rows of squares together with a 1/2" seam.  Lay them WRONG sides together.  This will bring your seam to the front of the quilt.  That's what you want.  Total opposite to making a traditional quilt. Your finished product will be strips of squares.


Lay your pieces out again.  Then gather them up in order and it's off to the sewing machine again. 

Now your going to sew your strips together with a 1/2" seam, wrong sides together, in the order you gathered them up.  When your done this step, the quilt is completely assembled.


It's looking a little funky, but now we will release those corners.  It's time to create the fringe.  To do this, I recommend spring loaded scissors.  It really saves your hand.  These are the pair I use.


You have to snip the fringe about 1/4" apart, but take care not to cut through the seam or you will have it coming apart.  Where your squares meet, cut just along the side of the seam.





I find this part of the quilt, takes the longest.  Here it is, all clipped up and you'll be left looking like the sewing room floor.  Lots threads all over you.



Here's the back side.

Now you have to wash it.  Your going to get a lot of thread come off of it during this process.  My washing machine empties into a laundry tub, so I have a lint catcher on the end of the tube that comes out of the washing machine.  It catches all the loose threads in the water.  I put a couple of towels in with it as well, to help fringe it even more.  Then it's into the dryer.  Make sure you clean out your lint tray before and after.  Trust me, it's going to be full.  The more you wash it, the more it's going to fray.

Here is the finished product.  It finished sized ended up being 35"x44" (11 squares x 9 squares)


13 comments:

  1. Excellent Tutorial/Instruction..Great sewing..
    Thanks for taking time and sharing..Spring
    loader scissor is great tips....:-) Love the
    Rag Quilt

    Many Blessings
    Trish-Ladybug

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  2. Love It!!!! TFS. Great TUT!!!!!!
    Blessings,
    Becky

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  3. That turned out great! And nice tutorial :)

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  4. Great job! I love making these too and yes the cutting is the hardest, most tedious part...but I love the look of ragg quilts!
    patti

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  5. WOOOOOHOOOOO I love it, dont think your keeping it lady, lol!!!!! Cant wait to put it in my home, its so great Lori. Thanks so much for making it for me
    Heather

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  6. I love this quilt!! love the colors and love the look..;)

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  7. I'm NOT surprised...it turned out PRIM-tastic!!

    GReaT tutorial!! I haven't made one in years...
    would love to make another soon...thanks for the tip on the spring loaded scissors...I will be getting me a pair of them!!

    Your cousin will proudly be displaying this in her home...and rightfully so!!

    HuGs
    Rox

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  8. I've always wanted to make one of these but didn't know how to do that fringe bit.Thanks for the tutorial Lori. :)

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  9. Raggy quilts are so much fun to make! This is a very nice tutorial. I'll have to try using only one fabric. That would make a nice light quilt to throw on the porch swing in the summer.
    I've always used 2 or 3 fabrics on mine.

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  10. Hi Lori Sweetie...
    I came to your blog through Heathers with the giveaway instructions. Oh what a beautiful blog home you have, and I have so enjoyed this tutorial. I have always wanted a little tutorial on instructions for making a quilt, even a one sided for decoration would be beautiful draped over the fireplace screen. I love, Love, LOVE this tutorial and cannot thank you enough for sharing. I also appreciate the tip on the spring loaded scissors. It will be my next 40% off coupon purchase at Jo-Anns. Can't wait.

    I am Country Wings in Phoenix, your newest follower, and can't wait to see what you share next. I just received a new sewing machine and have been looking for ideas of things to sew and ways to get started. A beautiful share today sweetie. Thank you.

    I hope you will stop by and say hello. I would love to have you follow my blog as well. I love sharing my day to day life wit my friends and learning new crafts and creations along the way.

    Country hugs, Sherry

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  11. What a sweet thing to do for your cousins. It is gorgeous, are you giving her your ladder too...lol. It looks fabulous on there.

    Great job and thanks so much for sharing the tut, I might just have to make one of those. I think I could handle that, you make it look so easy.

    Have a great day...

    Hugs, Deb

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  12. That turned out really, really cute! You made it sound so easy that I might just have to try it, haha! Heather's so fortunate to have an awesome cousin like you! Make sure she knows it, ha! =]

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  13. I just love it! I always wanted to know how to make one. Now I know. Thanks for the tutorial. Can't wait to make one or maybe two.

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