Rag Baby Quilt?

Susan Mickelson

July 30, 20070 found this helpful

There is a very easy baby rag quilt. I used 4" o 5" squares of cottons. Multiple colors are good for a good raggy look. Take 2 sqs back to back and stitch to 2 more sqs back to back using a 1/2" seam. Make a row of these as long as you want the quilt. Make more rows to make the width you want. Stitch the rows together with the 1/2" seams. This makes all the seams allowances on one side. NOW- use strong scissors and clip all those seam allowances. You will want to cut some bulk out of the intersections and space the clips about 3/8" to 1/2". Wash the quilt and dry it. Watch when drying because you will need to clean the lint trap a few times. Every time the quilt is washed, the seam allowances will become fuzzier. I made several for my grand nieces and nephews. They love them.

Cheryl

July 30, 20070 found this helpful

yes there are patterns.
But they are really simple to make.
Pick your fabrics for the front & back.
Cut it all into SQ. (What ever size you want)

Fran E.

August 2, 20070 found this helpful

Thank you, suem1009 and denimangle, for your feedback. I just made four squares for a test run to see which combination of fabrics works best.
I used flannel as my batting, the same size as the block. I used flannel as one good side block, and homespun, which rags well, as the other side. Then I used a block with all three parts of the block in flannel. I am not sure I like any of the looks. I have a pair of those special spring loaded clips for rag quilts, that's great. The problem on my test squares, I made 4, 2 on top and sewed 2 under them. You know what I mean. Just a 4 block quilt, like the size of a pillow. I used 1" seams to get a fluffer look.

You can make your patches as big or as small as you want -- I recommend a 7 inch square for a baby quilt. Here's some easy tips -- go to a glass shop & ask them to cut plexiglass squares for a template. Then just use a rotary cutter to cut the squares. You can cut several layers of fabric at a time. I got 3 plexiglass squares of varying sizes for $5.00!

instead of cutting batting & having it shift during sewing, just use several layers of flannel cut the same dimensions as your patches & sandwich them between the patches instead of batting.

With no backstitching, sew an "x" through each patch. Then, sew your patches into rows with a 1 inch seam allowance & backstitch. Then lay your rows out & sew them together into the quilt with a 1 inch seam allowance -- backstitch your rows Then, make cuts in your seam allowances, through ALL the layers of fabric (including the flannel -- DON'T slice through your stitching!) to create the "raggy" appearance. The flannel used instead of stuffing will add to the raggy effect, making it look fluffier.

Before using your rag quilt, wash it to fluff out the fringes & add to the raggy appearance. For the first 2 or 3 times it is washed, watch your dryer's lint trap -- it WILL need to be emptied out in the middle of the cycle, because of the threads coming off the rags. Rag quilts are a bit time consuming & a LOT of cutting, but the sewing technique is EASY!!!! It is a great project for beginners & teenagers!

I am wondering if the ragged edges might be a choking hazard if baby tends to chew or play with the edges.
Also, I have made four quilts using different brands and qualities of flannel. Every one of them "ragged" differently. The lesser qualties tended to fray more and look the prettiest but not sure if they would last as long.

Fran E.

April 5, 20080 found this helpful

Thank you all for the help you gave me. I finished my quilt for my great granddaughter.She was born in Feb. and weighed in at 10Lbs. close to 11. The quilt was a big hit and I am told it is her favorite quilt. Most of the time, mom and baby are covered with the quilt as they nap. Didn't have any problem with little threads coming out after I had washed it twice. I used Downey fabric softner which made it smell nice and made it nice and soft.