| Whether you are a beginner quilter looking | | | | top. |
| for near-immediate gratification or an old | | | | |
| pro who wants to create a different look, why | | | | Unlike traditional quilting, having uneven |
| not try one of the rag quilt patterns on the | | | | seams won't be noticed once your rag quilt |
| market? | | | | pattern is complete. So, even if you can't |
| | | | sew a straight line with your sewing machine, |
| Frayed seams are a characteristic of rag | | | | you can make a gorgeous rag quilt! |
| quilts. The frayed edges give the quilts a | | | | |
| soft, vintage look simply by clipping the | | | | That's another reason rag quilt patterns are |
| seams and washing and drying the quilt. Rag | | | | so popular. They can be sewn together rather |
| quilt patterns can be adaptations of | | | | quickly using your sewing machine. The |
| traditional quilt patterns or, totally new | | | | machine stitches will lock in and add |
| designs that will be accented by the frayed | | | | stability to the quilt. |
| edges. | | | | |
| | | | Since the blocks are sewn with the seams on |
| Rag quilt patterns do not have to be | | | | top, there is no need for additional quilting |
| expensive. As a matter of fact, many of them | | | | of your rag quilt pattern. That makes rag |
| are available for free on the Internet. Use | | | | quilt pattern projects move along at a nice |
| your favorite search engine to find "rag | | | | speed! |
| quilt patterns." | | | | |
| | | | Completing your rag quilt will take a little |
| If you've already been exploring the | | | | patience once all the sewing is complete. To |
| Internet, chances are your favorite quilt | | | | "rag" your quilt pattern, you will need to |
| sites also have rag quilt patterns available, | | | | clip the seams. |
| or links to some. The best "how-to-quilt" | | | | |
| websites offer rag quilt information as well | | | | Clip straight down the seam (perpendicular to |
| as patterns. | | | | the stitches). You will need to make these |
| | | | cuts about every quarter of an inch. Your |
| Variations of the Nine Patch are popular rag | | | | hand will get tired! To avoid hand cramps and |
| quilt patterns. Strips are another popular | | | | blisters on your cutting fingers, you might |
| rag quilt pattern. Keep in mind that while | | | | like to use a pair of spring loaded scissors |
| intricate designs could be converted into a | | | | as you complete your rag quilt patterns. |
| rag quilt pattern, the fraying might distract | | | | Spring loaded scissors automatically pop open |
| from the quilt pattern. | | | | after each snip has been made. They also |
| | | | usually are made so they are held on the |
| It's possible to complete a rag quilt in a | | | | outside, rather than putting your fingers |
| weekend! The biggest challenge in making a | | | | inside scissor holes. If you don't already |
| rag quilt is getting accustomed to sewing | | | | have a pair, expect to pay $15 or more. If |
| "backwards." In traditional quilting, we | | | | you plan to do much rag quilting in the |
| generally stitch the right sides together | | | | future, it might be a good investment! |
| then turn them so the seams will be hidden on | | | | |
| the underneath side. | | | | Once you seams are snipped all around your |
| | | | rag quilt pattern, throw it in the washer on |
| With rag quilt patterns, the seams are sewn | | | | a delicate cycle. It's not necessary to add |
| to the top so they can be clipped and frayed. | | | | soap, but it's okay if you do choose to do |
| | | | so. After the wash cycle, give your rag quilt |
| When assembling your rag quilt, you will make | | | | a double check to make sure you've snipped |
| a fabric sandwich: place the first piece | | | | everywhere. If you find a place you've |
| right side down on your table. Your middle | | | | missed, this is the time to add snips. Once |
| layer will be a piece of flannel batting, | | | | you are satisfied with the snipping, toss the |
| and the top piece will be your fabric, right | | | | quilt in the drier. Once it's dried, your rag |
| side up. | | | | quilt will be complete! |
| | | | |
| Once you have all your fabric sandwiches | | | | Penny Halgren is a quilter of more than 27 |
| ready, you will sew the block together, again | | | | years who enjoys sharing her knowledge of |
| keeping the right sides up. So, instead of | | | | quilting with those who would like to learn |
| sewing with the right sides together, your | | | | how to quilt or just improve their quilting |
| rag quilt pattern will be sewn with the wrong | | | | skills. |
| sides together.This will keep your seams on | | | | |