How to Make a Frayed Quilt

A frayed quilt is a simple sewing project.

A frayed quilt, also called a rag quilt, is a simple pattern that makes a comfortable quilt or throw. The sewing and quilting is perfect for a beginner, or someone who wants to make a quick project. This project has no edge binding, seam finishing or overall quilting that is common in pieced quilts. Using scraps, leftover pieces or recycled fabric makes a low-cost frayed quilt with a home-style patchwork design.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton flannel or homespun fabric
• Thin cotton batting
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Marking pencil
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Washer
• Fabric softener
• Dryer

Instructions

1. Cut 6-inch squares out of the fabric for the front and back of the quilt. A lap-sized quilt requires about 140 squares, while a twin-sized quilt requires 360 squares.

2. Cut 5-inch squares out of the batting in a quantity of one-half the number of fabric squares.

3. Create fabric sandwiches with one fabric square with the wrong side facing up, one square of batting centered in the middle and a second square of fabric on top with the right side facing up. Repeat this with all the squares.

4. Mark an "X" on the top of all square sandwiches from corner to corner with a washable marking pencil. Pin the squares together if they slide.

5. Sew along the marking lines with a straight stitch to hold the sandwiches together.

6. Sew the squares together in rows using a 1/2-inch seam. Keep the seams all on one side of the quilt. Sew the rows together with a 1/2-inch seam so that the seams are on the same side. A lap-sized quilt has 10 block rows with seven total rows, while a twin-sized quilt has 12 block rows with 15 total rows.

7. Sew around the perimeter of the quilt at a distance of about 1/2 inch away from the edge. Sew a second line of stitching about 1/8 inch from the first.

8. Clip slits along the seam edges 1/2 inch apart to help with fraying. Stop clipping slits about 1/8 inch from the stitching.

9. Shake the quilt outside to remove stray threads and wash the quilt in cold water on a regular setting. Use liquid fabric softener in the wash to promote fraying.

10. Shake the quilt outside to remove stray threads after washing and dry it in a dryer on a regular setting. Empty the lint tray two or three times during the dry cycle.

11. Repeat the wash and dry process until the quilt frays to the desired level.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose flannel or homespun fabrics with a loose weave to get a frayed look on the quilt.

• Purchase about 4 yards of fabric for the front and back of a lap-sized quilt and about 10 yards for a twin-sized quilt.

• Wash and dry your quilt at a laundry mat if you are concerned about the thread clogging the washer line and dryer vents.

References

• Quiltmaker; Flannel Rag Quilt; 2007
• Quilting 101: Rag Quilts
• Jubilee Homespun Inspirations: Rag Quilt Instructions