Since Bobbi Jo is spending less time online, I volunteered to do this for her. Is everyone ready to get started?!

Anyone who wants to is welcome to join in. If you'd like to see pictures of ragged quilts, here are a few links:
Sharon's Hide Away - Quilts (http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ranch/5857/quilts.html)
Ragged Homespun Quilt (http://63.210.199.176/content/projects/static/new/images/ragged_quilt.jpg)

The directions I've always used are here: Rag Quilt Instructions (http://63.210.199.176/content/projects/projectsDisplay.jhtml;$sessionid$GGQ0MKYAAEPCQP4SY 5FRHOR50LD2UEPO?articlePath=/content/projects/static/new/ragged_quilt.html) but there are lots of them online. This makes a quilt that is a big lap-size, but not bed-size. It's finished size is 48" x 60". The ones I've made usually wind up as "cuddle on the couch" type size - great for reading on a cold winter's evening.

Of course, you can adapt to make it bigger or smaller if you'd like. I'm going to make my first one this size, and then a larger king-size one after that - eventually. If anyone wants to make a twin/queen/king size specific quilt, I'll be happy to figure out how much fabric you'll need.

Suggested Fabrics: Flannel, denim, homespun, woven - anything that will fray!

Supplies:
* 8 1/2 yards fabric
If you want the back to have a similar pattern as the front, get the same amount of each color/pattern. (i.e. If you want to use two fabrics, get 4 1/4 yards of two kinds; three fabrics, get about 3 yards of each color; etc.)
* 1 yard batting
Warm & Natural is easy to use for this project. Some people also use flannel for batting. If you're working with thick fabrics, like denim, you don't even need batting.

Next step coming soon - so get your supplies together :) Any questions, please post here!

Oh, I'm sooo into this! I want to recycle a bunch of jeans. Any idea how many pairs of skinny adult ones I need to dig out to make that many squares? And what size squares are we talking about here, is it up to us? I can't get huge ones out of these pants...Or should I just bite the bullet and go buy some more denim? I want to be prepared when everyone else starts!

TIA!

Originally posted by kkdmommy
Any idea how many pairs of skinny adult ones I need to dig out to make that many squares? And what size squares are we talking about here, is it up to us? I'm not sure how many pairs, but see how wide the legs are. The directions I usually use call for 9" squares, but that is very flexible. You'll leave 1" seams for the fraying, so that takes 2" off the width, so take that into account. If your jeans can wind up with squares 7", then your quilt squares will be 5". That will still make a nice quilt, you'll just need more squares. That's the best thing about this project - flexibility! I wouldn't buy extra fabric if I were you, I'd just make the squares as big as possible and go from there.

I also wanted to mention, for those buying fabric just for this project, Joann's has some fabrics that would make beautiful rag quilts:

25% Off Quilter's Batiks
30% Off Fall Prints
50% Off Spooky Prints (a Halloween Quilt?)
$2.99/yard & Up for Quilter's Prints

Also, if you get the Joann's sale flyers, you can use your 50% off coupon on the Warm & Natural batting for a really good deal.

ETA: Don't forget to check the Wal-Mart fabric clearance table. I'm planning to make mine from Homespun Fabric and got all of it for 50% off!

So is this a much faster way of making a quilt? I need to get a king sized quilt made really quickly, as it is getting COLD here at night with only a sheet and blanket!

Originally posted by Lydiasmomma
So is this a much faster way of making a quilt? I need to get a king sized quilt made really quickly
I think it's probably the fastest way. I need to make a KS too, we could make them together. I think it'll be pretty close to double the fabric for a KS, but I'll double check to be sure.

If I wanted to make a double lap quilt (for two people to cuddle on the couch) How much wider would it need to be?

Originally posted by Carter&OwensMom
If I wanted to make a double lap quilt (for two people to cuddle on the couch) How much wider would it need to be?
I would suggest making it 55" x 73", which is between a full-size & lap-size quilt. The supplies to make one this size would be:

Fabric: 11 yards
Batting: 1 1/3 yards Warm & Natural (90" wide)

Measurements For All Sizes:

Lap Size (48" x 60")
Fabric: 8 Yards
Batting: 1 Yard

Twin Size (68" x 86")
Fabric: 15 Yards
Batting: 2 Yards

Full Size (76" x 86")
Fabric: 16.5 Yards
Batting: 2 Yards

Queen Size (86" x 92")
Fabric: 19.5 Yards
Batting: 2.25 Yards

King Size (110" x 96")
Fabric: 28 Yards
Batting: 3.25 Yards

Note: Batting measurements are based on 90" wide batting. If you get 44" batting, remember to get twice as much.

Actually warm and natural batting is already 50% off this sale flyer without a coupon :) So save that coupon for something else!!!

Crib size??????

I would like to get in on this, if it is really that easy. I have never made a quilt before, never actually made a whole lot; pocket books, tote bags, little stuff like that.


But I would love to make a matching set for the boys' room and Ian is still in a toddler bed. Do you think I could pull off two? (With a little help from my friends here, tehehe!)

Originally posted by Memory Mommy
Crib size??????

I would like to get in on this, if it is really that easy. I have never made a quilt before, never actually made a whole lot; pocket books, tote bags, little stuff like that.


But I would love to make a matching set for the boys' room and Ian is still in a toddler bed. Do you think I could pull off two? (With a little help from my friends here, tehehe!)

If you can let me know what finished measurements you want, I'll be happy to figure out the fabric requirements for you. I know you could make two without any help, they're super simple. I made my first one as the first project on my sewing machine, it's that easy!

Originally posted by countrycuttins
already 50% off this sale flyer
I totally missed that. I saw the "Polyester Batting Sale" and skipped right over, missing the print in the corner. That'll teach me to read the sale flyer better. I'm going to stock up now. Thanks Dina.

The only reason I know, is I just bought some and was so happy that it was on sale, LOL! They also have pillow forms on sale, and I have seen cute raggedy patchwork pillows done up the same way, only using smaller squares, for those who like matching throw pillows on their beds or couches :)

umm
in case you don't know me, I have no will power and no patience
I bought fabric at walmart today
and my rag quilt is in the washer. I only did 5/8 inch seams because I didn't read all the instructions. I still think it will be cool.

I was going to take photos, but my camera batteries were dead :-(

Goodness Carol, you're on the ball! I think there will be little to no difference with 5/8" seams. I can't wait to see it!

The actual size of the mattress on his bed in 27x51. I am not sure what the standard is, but I was thinking 8 or 9 inches overhang on three sides, so a finished size of 45X60? Does that sound about right? If so, that is pretty close to the lap quilt, I could just do that!

Okay, editing, because I rethought this just now as I was laying down with him. The toddler bed has side rails and I am thinking 9 inches may be too much to stuff in between the side rails and the mattress. What do you think, 5 or 6 inches on either side and 8 at the bottom? The dimensions have to be divisible by 8 right? So..... 40x60?

Originally posted by Memory Mommy
The dimensions have to be divisible by 8 right? So..... 40x60? The dimensions have to be divisible by 7. I have a crib mattress, so I'll measure it in the a.m. and let you know asap, okay?

but can't wait for the rest of the instructions so I can start it all soon!

Gee I missed the start but bumping so I can jump in when I go through my stash..
Peppermint

I am off to JA's this morning to get fabric, yeah! But can anyone help me with the toddler/crib size quilt yardage? The actual mattress is 27x51 and I don't want too much overhang because of the side rails on the bed, so I was thinking a finished size of 42x56, but I wonder if I shouldn't let it hang a little longer at the bottom, which would be 63" I guess????

If not, I am just going to get the yardage for the lap quilt and maybe throw together matching pillows with any leftovers:)

If anyone is thinking about doing a recycled denim quilt...I've been cutting up old jeans (and some new jeans that just don't fit anyone, my hubby finally went up a size).

From a pair of mens skinny jeans (28x32) I can get 20-24 5 1/4" squares. From a pair of ladies size 8 I can get 24-28 depending how creatively I cut. I know those are small squares...but I wanted to get as much denim as possible from the jeans.

I have a huge pile of squares after only a few pairs of jeans, not sure how many I'm going to need but I figured I can start sewing & see how many more pairs I'll need to round up to finish a snuggle couch size quilt.

I'm throwing around the idea of snagging some of hubby's old BDU's & putting some squares of them in it too, that look would really fit our laid-back family room.

Just thought I'd post what I'm attempting here :)

Originally posted by Memory Mommy
finished size of 42x56, but I wonder if I shouldn't let it hang a little longer at the bottom, which would be 63" I guess????
Here are the fabric requirements for both, I'm not sure which would be better. I think the longer might be hard to "tuck in" in you make the toddler bed, although for a wiggly toddler it would be easier for them to keep covered with the longer one. I'm no help!

42" x 56":
Fabric: 6 yards
Batting: 3/4 yard 90" wide or 1.5 yards 44" wide

42" x 63":
Fabric: 6.75 yards
Batting: 1 yard 90" wide or 1.75 yards 44" wide

Do you have to use homespun? And does the fabric need to be prewashed before you cut? LOL, and if I read the instructions correctly, you have to have the warm and natural from the begining, or can you piece it together later? :)

I'm using flannel, and the first one that I am doing is going to be strips of fabric, instead of squares, so we will see how it goes :)

I haven't seen a reply yet to the question of whether or not the fabric should be washed first...I'm waiting here with my fabric right now...ready to either wash, or cut! :)

Hmmm, don't really know, but I am not washing mine first. I think it will ravel better if it's not prewashed, but that's just my opinion ;)

Didn't prewash mine either. figured it was going to get washed lot and lots anyway!
Besides, then I would have to wait to make my quilt!

Originally posted by amanda823s
I haven't seen a reply yet to the question of whether or not the fabric should be washed first...I'm waiting here with my fabric right now...ready to either wash, or cut! :)
I do use homespun, but you don't have to. I do prewash because since it's 100% cotton, I dont want it to shrink after washing. There is some quilting where you purposely don't wash so it *will* shrink after it's assembled - it's a whole different, but very neat, look. I've never done a rag quilt that way, but I think it would probably work. How's that for a non-committal answer, lol?! I'd say - to be safe, prewash. If you're in an experimental mode - don't. It certainly won't be ruined if you don't prewash.

Also, you can get the squares cut without the batting, but you won't be able to start sewing at all until you have it.

Oh DINA!!
I love the idea of doing a strippy one.
Off to cut and sew!

Originally posted by MosaicMama


Also, you can get the squares cut without the batting, but you won't be able to start sewing at all until you have it.

Oh, I've got my batting! As soon as I saw the post about the sale at Joanns, I ran right over there! The cutting table lady said I was buying too much for one quilt...geez, they love to give advice! :rolleyes: I don't think she liked my choice of fabric either! LOL!

Here are the number of quilt squares you'll need for each quilt size (all squares are 9"):

Lap Size: 126
Twin: 240
Full: 264
Queen: 312
King: 448 <-- do you know how heavy that quilt will be? Is this feasible with homespun?
Crib 1 (42 x 56): 96
Crib 2 (42 x 63): 108


Here are the number of batting squares you'll need (all batting squares are 6.75"):

Lap Size: 63
Twin: 120
Full: 132
Queen: 156
King: 224
Crib 1 (42 x 56): 48
Crib 2 (42 x 63): 54

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Rag Quilt Sew Along:
Click Here for Step 1 - Fabric List & Sizes (http://www.amitymama.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=122512)

Originally posted by amanda823s
Oh, I've got my batting! As soon as I saw the post about the sale at Joanns, I ran right over there! The cutting table lady said I was buying too much for one quilt...geez, they love to give advice! :rolleyes: I don't think she liked my choice of fabric either! LOL!
Why do they have to be so dang nosy?! Do they love every piece of fabric in the store? Obviously someone likes them or they wouldn't be for sale. Did you tell her "Too bad, looks like you won't be getting a quilt then?" ;)

Originally posted by MosaicMama
Why do they have to be so dang nosy?! Do they love every piece of fabric in the store? Obviously someone likes them or they wouldn't be for sale. Did you tell her "Too bad, looks like you won't be getting a quilt then?" ;)

Now that's what I should have done! I'll have to remember that when I go back. I always pick out stuff on the $1.88yd clearance section, but I don't think it's all ugly! My 5yo dd likes my choices...that's why I like to make stuff for her. ;)

Oh Mosaic Mama, I love your "Two Little Women" in your sig line! I'm gonna steal that idea for our family gallery page :)

Do any of the sites have step by step pictures? I'm so daft that I'm having touble with the 'make a sandwich' part.

Thanks!
Meg

Ok meg, here is the sandwich part

take the bottom square
put it prtty side DOWN
put quare of flannel or batting on top
put square of top fabric pretty side UP

that is a sandwich

Originally posted by HayesCarol
Ok meg, here is the sandwich part

take the bottom square
put it prtty side DOWN
put quare of flannel or batting on top
put square of top fabric pretty side UP

that is a sandwich

Thanks! I sort of got that part, but how do I sew them together like that? The pattern says:

Stitch 7 squares together (wrong sides together) to form row. Stitch using 1" seam allowance. Press all seam allowances open.
That is a lot to put through the machine isn't it? Is the batting cut smaller than the fabric?

Oh and what is homespun and how is it different than woven?

Homespun is just a certain kind of woven.

put two sandwiches together and stitch. Yes it is a lot of fabric, but your machine can handle it. You might want to lengthen your stich length a little bit!

Originally posted by MosaicMama

Next step coming soon - so get your supplies together :) Any questions, please post here!

Did I miss the next step? I have my supplies... :)

Okay I sat and thought about it (my brain works slow LOL!) I think I figured it out--so the batting does NOT go through the machine, it's smaller than the pieces. Then there are four edges of fabric that go through the machine when putting them together, correct?

Thanks for the hand holding!

I did not use bgatting but flannel, so I don't know.

Meg,
If you're using batting, you should be quilting the squares before you sew them together. So, yes, you will be sewing the batting before you start assembling all the squares into a big piece. It's kind of the unique and different thing about rag quilts - the steps are kind of backwards.

You take the square, like Hayes said, but you'll sew a big "X" across the square, corner to corner and again the other way, which will keep the square from falling into pieces when you start sewing the rows of squares together. Clear as mud?

I'll also bump the part two thread for you Angela.

Awesome, thanks! Starting as soon as I find some fabric I like.

If I use a regular woven, will it fray as well as homespun? Thanks!

Originally posted by Nutmeg
If I use a regular woven, will it fray as well as homespun? Thanks!
Definitely. Remember the really cute farm print baby quilt and the brightly colored quilt for her niece that Bobbi Jo posted recently? Both of those were with wovens (I'm pretty sure - correct me if I'm wrong BJ) and they came out really nice. It's just a difference in fabric types, they create equally nice quilts, just different styles a little.

HTH.

I thought I'd go ahead and post step 3 for those who are still working on their quilts and then also start a thread for people to post their pictures to as they finish. (Steps 1 & 2 are linked at the bottom of this post, if you want to join in - it's not too late!)

Step 3: (I have some pictures of my quilt as I worked on it that might be helpful and I'll post them tonight to this thread, after the kids are in bed.)

Assemble your squares in the pattern you'll want them to appear in the quilt. Assemble each square in this order:

- Bottom square, right side down
- Batting square
- Top square, right side up

I usually assemble all the pieces, lay them out to see what they'll look like, and then stack them by row. So, for my quilt, which is 9 rows long, I have 9 stacks.

Quilt each square by sewing a big "X" across each square, corner to corner:
http://photobucket.com/albums/0903/Mosaic_Mama/QuiltedSquare.jpg

When you sew the "X", do it all the way across the square, not just to the edge of the batting. Another important tip: no need to backstitch to "knot" your seam, since it'll have another seam over it when you sew the rows together, it doesn't need to be "knotted" off. This saves a lot of time! The "X" keeps the batting in place while you're assembling the rows.

After you have all the squares quilted, you can start assembling them:
http://photobucket.com/albums/0903/Mosaic_Mama/StartofRow.jpg
Do each row individually and then you'll quilt all the rows together last.

Continued in next post...

Let's see your fine work! Please post your Raggedy Quilt S&S' to this thread (((((

Front:
http://www.cookiepants.com/images/PA200020.JPG

Back:
http://www.cookiepants.com/images/PA200022.JPG

Closeup of the fabrics I used:
http://www.cookiepants.com/images/PA200023.JPG

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3ce01b3127cce8024c7a833cc0000002610
Cute bright colors with graphic ladybugs on black. I LOVE this but wish it would rag more.

Strippy quilt! Dina suggested this and it went SO QUICKLY! Fast and easy. And with the patchwork as one strip, it looks lik eI worked harder than I did.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3ce01b3127cce8024c476f2bb0000001610

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3ce01b3127cce8024c78033e40000001610

Comeon everyone! Show us your progress!

I finished mine last night, but it's not "ragging" like I'd like. I've always used homespuns and this is my first rag quilt using cotton wovens. I wonder if that has anything to do with it. Bobbi Jo's have always looked nice and raggedy and I thought she used wovens :confused: I cut all the seams really close, so I don't think that's the problem. Hmmm...

Anyway, I'm still washing and drying it. I'll post pics as soon as it's done :usa:

To sew the rows: take the first to squares and place the two backs (the backside of your quilt) together. Sew with a 1" seam. Continue this for each square in the row, adding the new square to the one you just sewed, putting backsides together each time.

After you have the rows sewn together, sew each row to another row using the same method (backs together with 1" seams):
http://photobucket.com/albums/0903/Mosaic_Mama/TwoRowsSewnTogether.jpg
Be sure to press the seam allowances open as you go.

When all of the rows are sewn together, sew around the entire perimeter of the quilt with a 1" seam.

Using sharp scissors, snip each of the seams that are now showing on the top of the quilt into 1/4" sections. Be sure you only cut down to the seam, and not past it, or your quilt will come apart ;) This is the part that will fray when you wash it and give it the "raggy" effect.

Wash and dry one or two times and you're finished!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Rag Quilt Sew Along:
Click Here for Step 1 - Fabric List & Sizes (http://www.amitymama.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=122512)
Click Here for Step 2 - Cutting Instructions (http://www.amitymama.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=123223&highlight=rag+quilt)

Mine isn;t as raggedy as I'd like. I just keep tossing it in the wash over and over!

Hayes

Here's mine. I'm hoping with a few more washes/dries it will look a bit more raggedy. Dh has laid claim to this one as his personal 'lap quilt' even though it's twin size, lol.

Front:
http://photobucket.com/albums/0903/Mosaic_Mama/RagQuiltFront.jpg

Back:
http://photobucket.com/albums/0903/Mosaic_Mama/RagQuiltBack.jpg

Close-Up of Fabrics:
http://photobucket.com/albums/0903/Mosaic_Mama/RagQuiltCloseUp.jpg

That looks GREAT! I could never have managed it with patterns on the front AND back though!

Just for fun, I'm posting pics of another rag quilt I made. It's made with Homespun Fabrics and it was completely raggedy after only two washes/dries. My next project is a king-size one just like this for myself. I've started cutting out the squares, but it may be a UFO for a while, cutting all those seams is a lot of work!

http://photobucket.com/albums/0903/Mosaic_Mama/HSRagQuilt1.jpg

Full Size Front:
http://photobucket.com/albums/0903/Mosaic_Mama/HSRagQuiltFullSizeFront.jpg

Full Size Back:
http://photobucket.com/albums/0903/Mosaic_Mama/HSRagQuiltFullSizeBack.jpg

What size squares are best to use?
Peppermint

Peppermint, you can really make the squares whatever size you like. For the lap quilt, I think they recommend 9" squares, with 1" seams that leaves you with a finished size of 7", but that's definitely only a suggestion. You can make them smaller if you're using scraps, or larger if you're doing a big project and want it to move along faster. On my two above I used 9".

Someone mentioned that I used woven's and mine were pretty raggedy looking. I wonder if it is because I only used a 1/2" seam allowance so there was less raw ends to fray down.

I am contemplating doing a log cabin raggedy quilt. Do you think it would look cool or goofy?

Originally posted by gabegavin
I am contemplating doing a log cabin raggedy quilt. Do you think it would look cool or goofy?

I think that would look neat, but don't do the "logs" too small, maybe 2 or 3" wide?

OK I want to make one for my hubbies room at the fire station. He has a twin size bed.. Should I still do 9 inch squares or go for 10 and if so how many squares per row.. what about a queen sized bed also.. anyone do one and if so what size square and how many on it..
Peppermint

Originally posted by Peppermint
OK I want to make one for my hubbies room at the fire station. He has a twin size bed.. Should I still do 9 inch squares or go for 10 and if so how many squares per row.. what about a queen sized bed also.. anyone do one and if so what size square and how many on it..
Peppermint
Peppermint, the red/white/blue one above is twin size. I made it with 9" squares and it's 6 wide x 9 long. If I were to do it again, I'd make the squares 10" and add one to the width, making it 7 squares x 9 squares.

Also, if you can find one of the "Rag Quilt Step" posts the very first step has the measurements and squares needed for every size quilt, from lap-size all the way to king and everything in between.


Bobbie Jo, I was the one wondering about your wovens, thanks for addressing it because I was really curious what you did! Mine has 3/4" seams, so that could be it. I'll try 1/2" next time. I think this one will work, it's just going to take a few more washes. Shorter would definitely be easier! Thanks.