How to Make Rag Quilts

Quilts make a nice addition to any room décor. Quilts can be any size you wish. Rag quilts are a little more country looking than the normal tied or quilt-stitched quilt. Rag quilts are a great way to use up all your smaller pieces of leftover fabric and batting. Rag quilts are so simple to make that even a child can do it.

Things You'll Need

• 4 yards of assorted fabrics
• Scrap batting
• Scissors
• Pins
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• 3 yards of bias tape

Instructions

1. Cut the fabric into 200 6-inch squares. Cut the batting into 100 4-inch squares.

2. Lay one square of fabric face down on your work surface. Center one square of batting on top of the piece of fabric. Lay another square of fabric on top of the batting with the right side facing up. Push a pin through all three layers in the middle of the square.

3. Use a sewing machine to top stitch an "X" across the square to hold the batting in place.

4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 to make 100 blocks.

5. Pick up two blocks that use different fabrics. Line up all the raw edges and pin together on one side of the square. Sew down the pinned side of the block to join the squares. Make sure to sew with a generous seam allowance of 1-1/2 inches.

6. Continue following the instructions in Step 5 until you make a row of ten squares. Make a total of ten rows.

7. Arrange the rows on the floor or other large, flat surface. Make sure that no two identical blocks sit next to each other.

8. Pick up two rows. Line up the seams and use pins to hold in place. Sew down the length of the row, again leaving a generous seam allowance of 1-1/2 inches.

9. Keep adding rows in the same manner as Step 8. Make sure all the raw edges are on one side of the quilt.

10. Using very sharp scissors, cut down into the seam allowance 1 inch to make the rag part of the quilt. Be careful to not cut into the seam and break the thread. Do not "rag" the outside edge of the quilt.

11. Pin the bias tape to the outside edges of the quilt. Sew all around the quilt to secure the binding in place and complete the quilt.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash the quilt to fluff up and soften the "rags." Flannel is an excellent material to use for this quilt, but cotton fabrics can be used as well. These directions make a lap size quilt. Make a larger quilt by making more squares or bigger squares.

Resources

• Make a Rag Quilt
• How to Make a Rag Quilt