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It dawned on me the other day, while doing what felt like my gazillionth rag quilt, that I have learned a lot about sewing and quilting through these blankets. Of course, I can’t learn anything the easy way. All the helpful hints I have picked up along the way have been a result of a huge mess. Can anyone picture me buried underneath a rag quilt with a seam ripper? Cause that was about the extent of it. So, I thought I might give you a little heads up about some sewing/ quilting tips that I have found to be especially helpful while.
1) Pick your flannel wisely. I have bought a very cute print only to find that it was printed VERY crooked on the fabric. The design was looked like “)” this. You can imagine my frustration.
Remember the monkeys? I ended up hand cutting each block out and tilting the them sideways just to try to make this cute fabric work in the rag quilt. As you can see I was able to save the quilt, but it took way to much aggravation to do so.
2) Press fabric before beginning, on the “dry” heat setting and use spray starch. Flannel is most commonly used in rag quilts and it is very, very easy to stretch it out of shape.
3) Use a walking foot while sewing all parts of your rag quilt. I think I paid less than $20 for mine and it has become an invaluable tool for sewing rag quilts along with many other sewing projects. You just cannot sew flannel with out it. Remember, I said it was stretchy.
4) When quilting blocks for a rag quilt the best way I have found it to quilt an “x” on each one. Maybe you are all much more talented than I am, but I can not quilt a straight diagonal line if my life depended on it. The idea of marking lines on each block makes me my hand ache in agony, so I cheat a little. I use a piece of paper as my guide to make it straightly to each corner.
5) When you are sewing your rows together, to avoid bulk and ensure perfect seams, butt your fabric together. Pin on each side of the seam.
6) Spring- loaded scissors are your friend. Especially if you end up having 4 baby quilts to do in a matter of a month for 4 expecting moms.
7) It is a good idea to throw in a color catchers when you are washing any kind of quilt. Red flannel may or may not have bleed all over a rag quilt I just spent way too long working on. (tear, tear)
8) This one is the purely a preference, but wash it at the laundry mat. It is not that big of deal, take a book, relax, and sit there knowing that you didn’t have to risk messing up your washing machine by stuffing it in there and the lint from the blanket isn’t going to kill your dryer.
Rag quilts are a lot of fun, and really aren’t that hard. I have just found that these tips help me get more professional result with the least amount of frustration and time.
Did I miss anything? I would love to hear any tips you might have.
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Thanks for the helpful tips! I’ve been thinking about eventually making a blanket or quilt. The intimidation machine… I mean sewing machine… Scares me sometimes, but I’ve been practiceing more and more.
I’m a new follower on Facebook, follow me back on my blog if you’d like
Have a great day!
xoxo- Kaara
Kaara, rag quilts are very forgiving. So if your stitching is a little off you aren’t going to notice. I did my first rag quilt not to long after I started sewing. It wasn’t perfect, but I was still very proud of my accomplishment.
Thank you!
Would love your help when I get around to this project!
That blanket is sooo cute! Gustavo’s nephew room is decorated with monkeys
Thanks for sharing those tips Brenna!
These are awesome tips, thank you!
Thanks, Lisa.
I have made many of these quilts and when washing them I take my hose of my washing machine out of the wall and put a leg of a pair of nylons around the hose and secure it and I put it in the sink next to the machine ( I suppose you could put it back in the wall) that way all the lint gets caught in the pantyhose and does not go down the drain and clog it up….
What a great tip! Thank you so much for sharing, Janet. This will definitely be helpful.
Great tips and as a beginner, it is helpful! Got a silly question for you though…what is a color catcher? I’m making my first large one and I have red cotton flannel blocks and am afraid of it bleeding and wrecking the quilt….
Janell, they are these little sheets you throw in the wash that are supposed to catch all the colors that would bleed out in the wash. Shout makes one. But now they also sell reusable versions.
Thankyou, I’ll be sure to find some
Hi I am doing my first rag quilt, someone told me I should sew my blocks together with a stretch stitch but I don’t have this stitch on my machine,I have got a walking foot so is there another stitch I could do please.
I have always just used a straight stitch and my waking foot. I haven’t ever had a problem.
Thank you,I will do the same,it’s my first ever quilt so am looking forward to getting started!
I started with rag quilts too. I love it. Let me know if I can help you with anything else.
Hi Brenna: Great blog:) I was wondering if you have ever mixed flannel with other smoother/regular cotton fabrics? Do they cause problems whilst making a rag quilt? Does it look “off” if most of the fabrics are flannel and one or two are non-flannel cotton-based?
Thank you!
I haven’t, but my mother-in-law has and they turned out great. I think the two different fabrics gave it such a nice texture and look. They have been washed several times and have had no problem holding up.
Bless you!!! Thank you for taking the time to reply. You don’t know how much that means. I have noticed how wonderful you and your fellow sewing-blogger goddesses are! So kind and thoughtful and ready to share. It makes a difference for all of us…beginners or pros! Keep on creating these beautiful pieces of art and Happy Mother’s Day! Cheers!
I’m about to start my first ever quilt and I have been wondering how to make a straight line to make the cross. Genius! I can’t sew straight without guides.
All the info I just read throught was very helpful. I have never made a rag quit & my daughter onces one. But I didn’t know it would be made of flannel. Glad to find out before I messed up alot of material.
Thanks for all the tips
Virginia