Wrapped Up in Rags.....

Wrapped Up in Rags: by Rachel

The Rag Quilt

Step 1:

Picking your size & material

I think this was the hardest yet fun-nest part for me! We figured out how big I wanted my quilt to be and went from there. I decided to make my squares 13 and a half inches x 13 and a half inches big. (I wanted a HUGE-un-gous quilt...and man I got one!) Just to be safe I got 6 yards of material for each. Ya I so know that is ALOT but you can cater it to the size you wish! Just remember that you’ll be layering them. (you’ll see)

My mother-in-law (bless her!) and I hopped around the fabric stores looking for good deals and cute patterns all day. I settled on yellow! (its my favorite Happy color!)

Flannel works best with these kinds of quilts.

Step 2:

Ripping and Cutting

Now I was a little hesitant when my sister said, “just rip it down the middle to get a straight line!” I thought “Uuurrrr, ya riiiiiiiight?” But come to find out, you really can rip it down the middle and end up with a straight line. It follows what sewers call “on the grain” equalling a straight line. (Or u can cut them all.....eeek!)

When you figure out how big you want to make your squares, simply make a small slit at the top of your material. Grab both ends and rip apart. By the time you get to the end you will have an equal strip of material. All you have to do now is cut them into squares of your desired size.

Step 3

Layer

Layer: Align your squares evenly on top of each other like so. You can have two layers or more. I used 3. You can even layer it with batting in the middle (instead of flannel) if you are so inclined! :) Don’t forget to pin so they don’t fall out of place. (these little squares are just to show you how to do it. I used 13x13 for the quilt)

Step 4

Leave your mark

Draw an X through the middle of your square. This marks where you will be sewing.

Just follow the lines and sew over.

Step 5

The Layout

1) Layout your squares how you want them...

2) Grab edges...

3) Put together...

4) Sew a straight line on edge. 1 inch width...

5) There you have a flap! Whoop Whoop!

6) Repeat steps with next square until you have a row done. Once you have all your rows sewn, lay them out, and match up seams and repeat the process row by row.

Step 6

Going over the bumps in the road

Now your bound to hit a few bumps in the road. Because of these lovely bumps, I actually broke one of my needles (thank heavens for Joanns!)So as you sew over the seams where the material is all bunched together... please go slowly. It reduces your “clumsiness.” A.K.A: “Rachelidiocy.”

Once you get over your bumps, you should have one side of your quilt with flaps and the other with none.

bump

Just go on over it baby! Slowly...

Step 7

Your Border and the Big Cut

Now after you sew all your beautiful pieces together, it’s time to sew a border. Simply go around the border of the quilt and sew edges 1 inch in. Once you have sewn the border, pull out your scissors! It’s cuttin time! Cut all your extra “flaps” and not your seams. BE CAREFUL!

Step 8

Washa Washa Washa...

Once you finish your tedious cutting, throw your blanket in the wash! Viola! Your done!

I do recommend getting spring scissors when cutting all your flaps. They will help save your hands as you cut! You won’t end up with blisters like me! It turns out oh so cute in the end though.... that’s what kept me going! Finished just in time for snuggling with the hubby this weekend!

Let me know how your's goes! Muah!