How to Sew Together a Rag Blanket

Quilts began as a way to use up scraps of fabric, so that nothing would be wasted, and otherwise useless rags and pieces could be turned into something warm and practical. Although you can buy quilt fabric, either by the yard or in pre-cut pieces such as fat quarters, quilts are still a great way to use up leftover pieces of fabric. You can also use pieces of old fabric, such as worn-out sheets that still have some good parts left in them, to complete the rag blanket. Large pieces work especially well for the backing.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Scraps of fabric
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Iron
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Batting

Cut the Fabric for the Rag Blanket

1. Cut the fabric scraps or rags into squares, rectangles or triangles. Large pieces will be quicker to sew together, but little pieces will allow you to use up smaller scraps of fabric.

2. Sew any triangles into squares by placing two of them right sides together and stitching along the diagonal edge. Unfold the triangles into a square and press the seam flat.

3. If you are using several different sizes of pieces, sew smaller pieces together to match the larger ones, such as sewing 2 small squares together to be the same size as a rectangle. Sew the small pieces right sides together, then unfold them and press the seam flat.

4. Lay the pieces out and rearrange them as needed to make interesting designs or combinations of colors.

5. Line up the pieces in a grid, so that they form a rectangle.

6. Add or take away pieces until the grid is about the size you want. Keep in mind that the rag blanket will get smaller once you sew it, because of seam allowance.

Sew the Rag Blanket Pieces

7. Take 2 of the pieces that are next to each other and place them right sides together.

8. Stitch along the edge of the pieces.

9. Press the seam flat. If you are using a light fabric and a dark fabric, press the seam toward the dark fabric.

10. Place the next piece of fabric in the row right sides together with the unsewn edge.

11. Repeat steps 2 through 4 for all the pieces in the row. Sew all the other rows together the same way.

12. Place 2 rows right sides together and stitch them together. Press the seam flat.

13. Sew all the rows together the same way.

14. Make a back for the rag blanket the same way as the top or cut a single piece of fabric the same size as the blanket top.

Sew the Rag Blanket Together

15. Place the rag blanket front and back right sides together.

16. Pin the front and back together along the top and side edges.

17. Stitch around the top and side edges. Leave the bottom edge open.

18. Turn the rag blanket right side out and place it on top of the batting.

19. Trim the batting, if needed, to be the same size as the rag blanket.

20. Insert the batting between the front and back layers of the rag blanket.

21. Quilt the rag blanket by stitching through the front, batting and back layers every 4 to 6 inches.

22. Fold the bottom edges of the rag blanket under 1/2 inch and press them flat.

23. Pin the bottom edges of the rag blanket together.

24. Topstitch the bottom edge of the rag blanket closed.

Tips & Warnings

• Rag blankets don’t have to be perfect to be useful and even beautiful.
• Use caution when working with scissors, pins, irons and sewing machines.