Fun and Easy Rag Quilting

The first time I heard the term "Rag Quilting," I though itdo some fancy quilting in each block if you would like.
had something to do with using big, long rags of fabricContinue this layering and stitching for as many
and somehow weaving them together to make a quilt.squares as you would like - depending on how large
Boy, was I wrong!you would like your quilt to be.
It turns out that rag quilting got its name from theOnce you have all of your squares/blocks stitched, it is
ragged edges on the quilt. No doubt in my mind thattime to begin to sew them together to make your quilt.
this quilt design was created by a quilter as a variationThe process is the similar as if you were sewing
of a Quilt as You Go kind of pattern - whether it wasblocks together to make a quilt top, with just a slight
intentional or accidental is something only that quiltertwist or two. Take two blocks and place them
knows.WRONG sides together. Stitch them together using a
Wide seam allowances are common for rag quilting -1" seam allowance. Sew the seam along the entire
usually at least 1." So, if you would like each block to beedge of the fabric, and do not backstitch.
an 8" square when finished, you should cut 10" squaresSew the blocks in each row together. Now you have
of fabric and 7¾" batting or flannel.a bunch of rows of blocks with all of the seam
To make a rag quilt, you take 2 squares of fabricallowances facing to one side (usually the front side).
(could be triangles or any other shape, but squares areOnce that is done, open the seam allowances, and
most common), and a piece of batting for each blocksew the rows together, continuing to place the
in your quilt. You could use a piece of flannel instead.WRONG sides of the fabric together, so your seam
The batting or flannel should be cut about 1¼"allowances will face the top (right side) of the quilt.
smaller than the squares of fabric.After all of your blocks are sewn together, clip the
Place one square of fabric right side down on yourseam allowances - that is what makes the "ragged"
table. Place the piece of batting or flannel in the centeredge, or fringe. Take a very sharp pair of scissors and
of the fabric. And then place the other piece of fabriccut about ½" into the seam allowance, making
right side up on top of the batting. You now have asure not to cut into the stitching. Make these slices
stack with 3 layers, and the right sides of the fabricabout ¼" apart from each other.
are facing out.Once all of the seams are clipped, shake your quilt out
Stitch through all of the layers, to secure them in place.to remove as many of the loose threads as possible,
Usually these squares are machine stitched, using athen wash the quilt and place it in the dryer. This will
simple straight stitch, making an X through the square.cause the clipped seam allowances to fringe even
To do that, you begin in one corner and stitch to themore.
opposite corner. Take your square out of the machine,And, now you're done!
and repeat the process on the other corner. You could