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