Rag Quilt

Here is how I did my first rag quilt. It was my very first big sewing project and I think it turned out pretty good. I can't wait to make another one!

 I used 7x7 squares and did a 6x7 square quilt. I think it's not a traditional size, but I wanted it to just be a snuggle blanket for Tiffany, one that she can just take anywhere.

I chose 4 matching flannels for the front and 1 for the back. For the batting I chose to do just a white flannel cut the same size as the other squares instead of the quilt batting because it was easier to just cut them all the same size but I'll probably try the other kind next time to see if it makes it more soft (I thought it turned out a little stiff.)

 
So I cut enough squares of each of the 4 fabrics to make an even pattern. Then I cut enough squares for the batting and for the back and started putting them together (they call it a sandwich because it's one for the front, one for the middle, and one for the back.)

My next step was to sew an x in the middle of my "sandwiched"squares. After this was done I was able to lay them on the floor and arrange them to my liking. Yes, it took me a while to figure out a pattern I liked. But after that it was easy, I just took one row at a time and sewed the squares wrong side together with a 1/2 in allowance. Then I sewed each row together. Lastly I sewed around the edges with 1/2 allowance as well for the fringes.

The last step was by far the hardest and most tiring. Cutting the fringes. Because it was my first time, I didn't invest in a rag quilt scissor (it became top of the list after this though, because it almost ruined my nice sewing shears and our hands- Bryan's and mine- were sore for a few days after this). Bryan actually did most of it because I would've never been able to finish it, and it took him almost 2 hours! It was hard work!  But after that we put it in the washer and drier to rag the fringes and it was done! ( A couple of notes...I would recommend washing and drying at a laundromat because of the mess, but I was way too anxious to finish it so our next couple of washed ended up full of flannel along with the drier having to be cleaned constantly until it got cleaned out! And second you have to wash it at least a couple of times for the fringes to really look good.