A Simple Rag Quilt
The first quilt I learned to make was a rag quilt. It is quick to make and great for a beginner quilter. The simplicity of this quilt makes it so accessible that even children can be taught to create one. It’s ideal for hiding sewing imperfections, making it forgiving for new sewers.
It’s so cozy
“It’s soft, cozy feel makes it the perfect fabric to keep you warm and comfortable all winter long.”
The Fabric of Our Lives
Rag quilts are incredibly cozy. Made from flannel, they become softer and more comfortable with each wash. As described by The Fabric of Our Lives, “Flannel is a soft, medium-weight cotton fabric that has a napped, fuzzy, finish on one or both sides. This napped finish either comes from brushing or from its characteristic loose weave. It’s soft, cozy feel makes it the perfect fabric to keep you warm and comfortable all winter long.”
Use scraps
Another advantage to making rag quilts is their ability to use up scraps. I’ve incorporated everything from regular cotton, jeans, and receiving blankets, to t-shirts, and faux leather to make these quilts. It’s not only cost-effective but also allows for creative freedom. Although you can skip the batting in each square, I use batting scraps in mine.
“I’ve incorporated everything from regular cotton, jeans, and receiving blankets, to t-shirts, and faux leather to make these quilts.”
Gather some supplies
- Your favorite sewing machine
- Thread to match the dominate color of your fabrics
- 3 coordinating flannels, 1.5 yards of each
- 1.5 yards of quilt batting
- Rag quilt snips
- Rotary cutter
- Cutting mat
- Ruler
These are my favorite rag quilt snips by Fiskars.
How to make it
The finished quilt will be approximately 40″ x 44″.
Cut the material
- Cut the flannel into 5″ squares. You will want to make sure you have at least 220 squares or 74 squares from each fabric.
- Cut the batting into 110 4″ squares. You may omit the batting for a less “filled” quilt.
Make the squares
Start by sandwiching the batting between two matching squares. The wrong sides of the squares will be facing the batting. If you are not using batting, you can put two matching squares together with the wrong sides touching.
Sew an “X” on the square by sewing from corner to corner. NOTE: You can do these in a continuous process without cutting the thread to speed up the sewing process.
Decide on a layout
Following my method with the 3 fabrics, your layout will look like this:
The layout is placing the squares in a 1, 2, 3 pattern. There will be 10 squares vertical and 11 squares horizontal.
You can choose to do a different layout. Just keep track of your squares. It is easy to confuse yourself. I am speaking from experience.
Join the squares
You can decide how you want to piece the quilt together in a way that works best for you. I am going to explain my way:
Begin by placing adjoining squares right sides together and sew down one side using a 1/4 inch seam. For example, row one, I would sew together 1 and 2, 3 and 1, 2 and 3, 1 and 2, 3 and 1, and so on until I have 5 sets of 2.
Sew the 2 adjoining blocks down all 11 rows.
Then you will sew together, in row one, blocks 2 and 3 and blocks 3 and 1, making sure the rough edge is on the same side, using the same 1/4″ seam.
You will do this to all 11 rows.
Finally, you are going to sew together, in row one, blocks 1 and 2 and blocks 2 and 3 to make a complete row, using 1/4″ seam.
After completing this step, you should have 11 complete rows.
You will want to go through and make sure that the rough side is facing out on the same side of all the rows.
Continuing to make sure the rough side stays on the same side, you will sew the rows together with a 1/4″ seam, matching up the corners of each square on the two rows.
You will finish off your quilt by sewing together the remaining rows.
Snipping
Flip the quilt to the rough side that is showing all your seams. Using your snips, you will make snips on all the rough edges almost down to the thread-seam. The snips can be as far apart as you like. The closer they are together, the more of the ruffled-frayed look you will get.
You will also want to sew all the way around the edge and snip that too.
Wash and care
The more you wash a rag quilt, the better it will look due to getting that ruffled-frayed look. Using fabric softener will help add some additional softness as well.
According to Buffalo Jackson Trading, flannel cotton should be washed in cool water on a gentle cycle. Avoid using detergents that have bleach additives or alternatives in them. Liquid fabric softener or dryer sheets will help reduce the peeling and lint. Dry on a low heat setting.
Keep in mind, those snips are going to shed for the first 10 or so washes. Wash and dry the quilt alone. Tumble drying the quilt to help remove those little snipped threads.
I hope you enjoy your rag quilt for a long time. And if you know someone having a baby, this is a perfect handmade gift.
