How to Make a Quilted Bag With Frayed Edges

Denim patches fray easily when creating rag quilts.

Rag quilting is a method of positioning thick seam allowances of joined blocks on the front of the work and cutting into the fabric to create frayed borders. Denim and flannel fabrics are ideal for this type of quilting because of their ability to fray at the ends without compromising the rest of the material. Like patchwork and other quilting techniques, use rag quilting to create more than just blankets. Bags featuring rag quilt patches and purposeful fraying possess a rustic, homemade quality.

Things You'll Need

• 4 yards denim or flannel fabric
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Two purse handles
• Sewing needle
• Sewing thread

Instructions

1. Measure and cut 36 squares that are 6 inches wide and 6 inches tall from the fabric using a ruler and scissors.

2. Lay one square on top of another, with the front side of the bottom fabric facing down and the front side of the top fabric facing upward. Do this with every remaining square, so that there are 18 pairs of joined squares.

3. Sew an "X" shape on top of one of the square pairs using your sewing machine's running stitch setting. The lines of the "X" should reach from corner to corner. Sew each remaining pair together the same way.

4. Hold two sewn squares together with the bottom sides facing each other and the edges lined up evenly. Sew across one edge of the squares, using a 1-inch seam allowance. This seam allowance should stick up from the front of the squares. Sew another edge of two squares together the same way. Continue joining square edges together until you have one large piece that is three squares tall and three squares wide.

5. Sew the remaining nine squares together to match the first large sewn piece. Then sew across the top of each piece using a 1-inch seam allowance.

6. Hold the two large pieces together so that the front sides with the seam allowances face each. Sew across the sides and bottom of the held pieces to create the bag body. Turn the bag right side out.

7. Cut into each seam allowance on both sides of the bag, including around the top edge. Make the cuts deep, but do not cut into the stitches of the seam allowances. Space the cuts about 1/4 inch apart.

8. Wash the bag in the washing machine using its normal cycle. Shake the bag thoroughly once the cycle is complete to jostle the frayed seam allowances. Then dry the bag in the dryer using a high heat setting. Shake the bag a second time once it has dried. Remove any excess lint or threads.

9. Position the purse handles 2 inches below the bag's top edge. The handles can be either the kind that are attached to the sides of the bag or to the center of the front and back panels. Sew several times over the loops of the purse handle ends to secure them in place.

References

• Sew4Home: Scalloped Rag Quilt
• Quilting 101: Rag Quilts
• Purse Patterns: Quilted Reversible Rag Bag Tote