How Do You Make Rag Quilts Fray?

Rag quilt making is similar to creating traditional quilts. A traditional quilt uses a top layer of fabric and a bottom layer with quilt batting sandwiched between the two layers. Rag quilts do not need quilt batting. Quilters use three layers of fabric for rag quilts, but some quilters prefer to sandwich quilt batting into the squares. To hold the batting in place, sew an “X” across each square before sewing the quilt squares together. The secret to making rag quilts fray is in the quilt’s assembly and snipping the edges of the finished quilt. Rag quilts can be colorful and can be made out of many colors of fabric, including florals, solids or stripes, or they can be created in earth tones for a country or primitive look.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Matching thread
• Washer and dryer

Instructions

Making the Rag Quilt

1. Measure and trace on a piece of paper or card stock a template square to use as you cut out squares for the quilt. Add 1 inch around the template to allow for the seam. For instance, if you want a 4-inch finished block, cut a 5-inch template.

2. Spread your fabric flat on your worktable in three layers. Smooth out any wrinkles. The fabric you choose is up to you, although flannel, denim or a loosely woven homespun material frays better than other types of cloth. If you choose another fabric, the quilt’s edges will fray and curl, giving the rag quilt a ruffled look.

3. Pin the template you created in Step 1 on top of the fabric. Cut three layers of quilt squares using your template until you have the number of squares you need to finish your rag quilt. For example, if you want to use a 4-inch finished block and want the quilt to measure 40 inches by 40 inches and you are using a 1-inch seam, you will need to cut 300 5-inch blocks.

4. Place the squares in multiples of three. The right side of the material should show on both sides of the square. It doesn't matter which way you lay the middle piece. For example, lay one square down with the right side facing the table, lay the middle square on top of the first square and lay the top square with the ride side facing you. Continue this process until you have all the squares in layers of three.

5. Sew the squares together, making a chain of 10. Sew off the edges of the squares, crossing any previous stitching. When you have 10 rows, sew the rows to each other in succession until all the rows are connected. The joined rows now form a rag quilt.

Fray the Rag Quilt

1. Snip all of the raw edges of the 1-inch seams using thread nippers or scissor tips. Under good lighting, carefully snip to the edge of the stitching without cutting any of the threads. You will need to snip around all of the squares and the outer edges of the quilt.

2. Examine the rows to see if you need to snip anywhere else and to make sure you did not cut any stitching.

3. Wash the rag quilt and dry it in the clothes dryer on high heat until it's completely dry to enhance the fraying process. Do not wash or dry with any other clothing that you do not want threads all over.

References

• Craftstylish: How to Make a Rag Quilt