How to Add Fray to a Rag Quilt

Denim patches are a common choice for rag quilts.

Rag quilts are made by sewing patches of material which will easily fray. The seam allowances are sewn so that they purposely stick out from the quilt top. The exposed raw edges can then be treated to become frayed and fluffy, qualities that give rag quilts their name. The fraying process is the final step in sewing rag quilts. It involves making a series of cuts into the layered seam allowances and then washing and drying the quilt to free the fibers to fluff out.

Things You'll Need

• Finished rag quilt
• Heavy scissors
• Washing machine
• Liquid fabric softener
• Dryer
• Lint roller

Instructions

1. Cut into the seam allowance of one of the patches of the finished rag quilt with heavy scissor. Make the cut about 1/2 inch deep and be sure that it goes through the quilt top, the batting material and the backing fabric. The cut should not break through the line of stitches on the seam.

2. Continue making 1/2 inch cuts into each seam allowance. Space the cuts 1/2 inch apart.

3. Run the quilt through the washing machine using cold water, a gentle wash cycle and an amount of liquid fabric softener that coordinates with the size of your quilt. Take your quilt outside and vigorously shake it out to remove any loose threads.

4. Run the quilt through the dryer. Stop the dryer once about halfway through the cycle to clean the lint trap. Shake the quilt outside vigorously again to jostle the frayed ends and remove excess lint.

5. Remove any remaining lint from the front and back of the quilt with a lint roller.

References

• Jubilee Home Inspiration: Rag Quilt Instructions
• Rag Quilts: Rag Quilting Instructions
• Patchwork and Quilting: Denim Rag Quilt