Book Review: Idiot's Guides to Quilting

If you have ever wanted to learn the art of quilting then I highly suggest you check out the Idiot's Guides to Quilting book by author Jennifer Fulton. This book includes step-by-step color photos which makes machine and hand quilting simple. Inside the book you will find easy lessons on cutting, piecing, appliqueing and more. Included are 15+ fun and fresh quilting projects to help build on the quilting skills that you've learned.

Book Synopsis: Whether it's a meaningful gift for a special occasion or a warm & cozy cover for cold nights, a quilt is always welcome. But if you've never stitched a quilt top, the craft can seem over-whelming. Not anymore! This book is packed with beautiful color photographs that instruct and inspire, this helpful guide shows you how easy it is to create one-of-a-kind quilted pieces. In the guide you will get:

* A primer on the quilting tools and supplies you need to get started.

* Helpful tips for selecting the best fabrics for your projects.

* Step-by-step tutorials for piecing, quilting and applique - by hand or machine.

* Lessons on cutting and piecing blocks, sewing a quilt top, assembling quilt layers and quilting your work.

* Easy-to-print, accurately scaled project patterns are available online.

* ISBN: 978-1-61564-612-8

My Thoughts: A few years ago I tried my hand at quilting and I admit, I have some of the basics down but not all of them. This book is absolutely a must-have if you are a beginner or just need some refresher lessons. Even if you are an experienced quilter...you will still enjoy this book and the author's quilting tips and projects within it.

The book is broken down in easy-to-read chapters starting with Chapter 1: Getting Ready to Quilt which goes over the terminology and the supplies that you will need. Chapter 2: Explains how to select the perfect fabric for your projects, Chapter 3: How to prepare and cut your fabric, Chapter 4: Explains how to piece your quilt blocks, Chapter 5: Explains piecing techniques, Chapter 6: Explains advanced piecing techniques, Chapter 7: The art of applique, Chapter 8: How to assemble a quilt top, Chapter 9: How to prepare your quilt for quilting, Chapter 10: Quilting a quilt and the book finishes up with Chapter 11: The gallery of projects. Phew...this book covers everything!

One of the things I love about it is that quilting is explained in a manner than anyone can understand. Even if you have never sewn before or crafted anything in your life...you will totally learn how to make a quilt with this handy dandy guide! The book is loaded with beautiful color photographs that show you step-by-step how to complete each of the tasks outlined in the book.

If you can't have a "master" quilter sitting beside you and giving you "hands on" lessons, this Quilting book by Idiot's Guides is definitely the next best thing!

Disclaimer: Shelly H. received a complimentary copy of the Idiot's Guides to Quilting Book for a review on her Passionate About Crafting Blog. No monetary compensation was received. Her thoughts are 100% unbiased and are based on her personal experience with the book. Your opinion may differ.

How to Make Quilt Templates :: Great Info for Quilters

How to Make Quilt Templates
By Jesse T Anastasio

Templates are patterns, so to speak, only with templates you cut the materials you need from strong fabrics. Otherwise, if you are making patterns you would cut the templates from ordinary paper.

By creating templates, you are making your quilt-making process easier. The surface patterns will flow consistently as well. You can use your created templates and trace along your patterns, instead of pinning graph paper to your quilt material. You can purchase ready-made templates, however you will save money if you create your own. You can purchase transparent plastics at craft stores or stores that carry quilting supplies. If you choose plastic, you will need to individually trace your patterns. You will need allowance for your seams. After you create your patterns, cut your templates. The plastic templates are ideal for making larger quilts.

Straight grains make up woven textiles. The grain lines run comparably parallel along the edges of the non-fraying edges in the materials. Across the straight grain is another line known as the 'cross grain.' Quilters use these terms to define the lines. You will need to eliminate the edges by cutting them off.

How to create basic templates

Creating templates is as simple as tracing your footprint on a piece of paper. First you need to decide on a design. There is a variety to choose from, especially when you look to computer programs or the internet for inspiration.

To create your templates you will need to choose plastic or paper. Once you make your choice you will need to trace your template to paper, add a few permitted seams, and then use adhesive to add your trace to a clip of hard copy like cardboard and cut out your templates. Before you cut your templates, first make copies and play with the patterns until you achieve your desired pattern. Once you achieve your patterns add numbers or letters to mark it. This will help you remember where each template goes. Next, you will cut your pattern parts out, using scissors or a hobby knife. Cut the outside areas only at the edges. You will need to create one template per piece to add to your quilt.

Next, trace your patterns, tracing the parts onto your plastic or paper. Space the parts one inch in all directions, and away from the others. Use a measuring device, such as a ruler to draw one-inch lines around the outer outline. On your templates, create a dot. You want the dots to meet two seams per count. The dots are important to mark your stitching areas.

Next, use your direction of textile thread lines (grain line) and convey the arrows you have created from your model parts and relocate it to your template. You have now made basic templates!

In addition to the basic templates, you can make window templates. The templates are ideal for those want to pierce by hand. You can also make templates for pre-prepared designs. Window templates can assist the beginners, since you will have a marked line to follow through when you begin stitching. The windows are easy to make, yet you must follow the hand piercing: rules to complete your patterns. You can also add templates to your window, which may include emblems such as roses, bouquets, etc. Regardless the window, basic, or other types of templates can lead up to a block/border pattern, rather a fashionable quilt.

Visit http://www.funandfreecrafts.com for more great, free craft ideas from fellow crafter and writer Jesse Anastasio.

Quilt Pattern Selection For The Beginning Quilter

Quilt Pattern Selection For The Beginning Quilter
By Nancy S Ball

Whether you are from a family where several generations before you were experienced quilters, or whether you are the first in your family to take up quilting, you have no doubt seen pictures or patterns of quilts that you would enjoy making. If your goal is to create a quilt for yourself or as a gift for a special person, pattern selection for the beginning quilter is an important step in the process. By the time your project is completed, you will have invested many hours of your precious time. Here are a few steps to follow in selecting your quilt pattern:

o Above all, select a pattern that, when made into a finished project, you would be proud to keep and display in your home or give as a gift. There are thousands of patterns from which beginning quilters may chose. Just because something looks like it would be easy enough to make, does not necessarily mean you would want to make that particular quilt.

o There are several places you can search for quilt patterns. Internet searches will help you find free patterns. Quilting magazines available at most magazine stands or fabric stores contain patterns and are more economical than purchasing an entire book. Friends or family members are usually willing to share their patterns with you.

o Quilt pattern books are a good resource and are available at most stores where fabrics are sold. These books usually also contain valuable quilting tips, instructions and easy to follow diagrams. Usually when you purchase a book, it will contain several patterns you may want to eventually use.

o For your first quilting project, it is a good idea to select a pattern with larger blocks. In addition to being easier to make, this will help you finish your project quicker. If you find you enjoy making quilts, you can advance to more complicated projects.

o If you do not have a great deal of experience in sewing, you can still create a lovely quilt. Select a pattern that has only straight seams to sew. Stay away from the ones that have curved seams or difficult corner seams to put together.

o If you are an experienced seamstress and feel confident in your sewing ability, you have a wider variety of patterns you may want to consider. Sewing together a quilt top is very similar to other sewing projects you may have completed.

o When you find a quilt pattern you like, carefully read the sewing instructions and look at the diagrams given to assure yourself that you feel confident your level of sewing experience is adequate for the project you select.

For the beginning quilter, following the few simple guidelines in pattern selection will ensure that you enjoy working on your quilt during each step of the creation process. When you tie off the last stitch of your beautiful new quilt, you will have a handmade quilt that you will be proud to display or give as a gift to a special person in your life.

The author has had many years of experience in creating handmade quilts, including pattern selection, fabric selection, piecing quilt tops, as well as hand and machine quilting. A feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment awaits anyone who enters the creative world of quilting. Find quilting tips and information and the best quilting frames and supplies at http://www.bestquiltingsupplies.com/.

Fabric Selection for Your Handmade Quilt

By Nancy S Ball

Fabric selection is an important factor when you embark on a new handmade quilting project. Since any handmade quilt will require many hours of labor, albeit a labor of love, you want to ensure that the finished quilt will be a project you will be proud to display, to use in your home or to give as a gift. You want it to look beautiful, and you also want it to be durable for the purpose for which it was created.

It is especially important that the same type and weight of fabric be used for the entire quilt. Each type of fabric has its own particular washing requirements. Just as colors can clash with one another, fabric types can clash and distract from the beauty of the handmade quilt. The first thing you want to consider is how the quilt will be used.

Quilts made for decoration and display:

For quilts that don't get a great deal of wear or require frequent laundering, delicate fabrics, such as silk, make gorgeous quilts.

The author is the proud owner of a handmade quilt made by a special aunt in the "bowtie" pattern using necktie fabric. It looks beautiful folded at the foot of a bed in a spare room where it does not get heavy use.

You can create a special souvenir from a trip by purchasing fabric while on your trip. A family member of mine went to Hawaii and purchased a variety of colorful Hawaiian fabrics. When finished, the quilt was colorful and beautiful and a lasting memory of her trip.

Another family member created a lovely and unique handmade quilt using cloth decorative calendars. It is important to note that the fabrics decorative calendars are made of may not launder well, so will require delicate care.

Quilts made for gifts:

Men's neckties that are out of style or no longer worn, can be used to make a gift for a special man in your life. The bowtie pattern is an excellent choice, and most men would be happy to have a handmade quilt made from their old neckties.

If you sew and make clothes for yourself and your children, a special quilt can be created for yourself or your child using these left over fabrics.

If you are making a baby gift, flannel or chenille are excellent choices. These fabrics are soft, warm and durable. Keep in mind baby quilts get lots of hard use and need to be laundered often.

Quilts made to use as cover for cold winter nights:

Cotton and similar weight fabrics have long been used for quilts to use on your bed to keep you warm throughout the night. Quilters can be creative and select fabrics such as flannel and woolen weights for extra warmth.

For the true quilt lover who owns a number of beautiful handmade quilts, it is fun to use a variety of fabrics. Whatever the purpose of your handmade quilt, taking time to consider exactly the right fabrics to use before starting your project will assure a beautiful handmade quilt will result from your efforts.

The author has had many years of experience in creating handmade quilts, including pattern selection, fabric selection, piecing quilt tops, as well as hand and machine quilting. A feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment awaits anyone who enters the creative world of quilting. Find quilting tips and information and the best quilting frames and supplies at http://www.bestquiltingsupplies.com.

Quilting Tips | Baby Quilt Safety - Using Buttons and Bows in Baby Quilts

Baby Quilt Safety - Buttons and Bows By Sharon Camp

Little girls and their baby quilt just go hand in hand with buttons and bows - right? Think again.

Those pink and lacy decorations create a baby quilt with the little girl or princess touch. A bow here or a few small buttons there are lovely adornments. How could these few, simple additions, which dress up the baby quilt, become such a hazard to a baby or a young child?

A child loves to play with anything they can touch and pull on. No matter how securely you place and sew on the buttons with good quilting thread. Over time they will wear with the constant everyday child's play and eventually be pulled off. The buttons can be easily be swallowed by the child.

Ribbons and bows can also become a problem but they do not have to be detached to become a hazard. Babies can twist their little fingers in and around the ribbon cutting off the circulation to their small hands or even the toes. During sleep these small fingers and toes can be caught in the bow causing the same loss of blood flow to the extremity. Even though, as in a button, the quilter might securely attach the bow to the baby quilt, over time these bows and ribbons will also become loose and break from overuse. Depending on the length of the ribbon, strangulation could result if the child were to put the ribbon around their neck.

If you plan to have the quilt as wall hanging with all the buttons, bows, and other attachments that would bring out the best of your work because little fingers will not have access to these tiny little parts, think carefully. As you secure these attachments to the baby quilt, do so with quilting thread and be sure you have knotted them tightly in place. Many families place a wall quilt over the baby's crib or cradle and having any of these attachment falls off would be dangerous to the child. If the quilt hangs low enough for a toddler to crib and those ribbons are within their grasp, these become a source of enticement to pull and play with them. Hence, the problems that result in cutting off the circulation or possible strangulation are still within the baby's reach.

Little girls with their buttons and bows are probably best left to story books until they are older. Safety should be first when designing your baby quilts.

Come and choose one our handmade children's quilts, a lasting keepsake, a unique birthday gift, or Christening gift, for that special "little one." Visit my website: http://www.uniquebabyquiltboutique.com/ and chose of one unique handmade children's quilt from my collection for your child's birthday or other special event.Sharon Camp, The "BabyQuiltLady," has been quilting for over 30 years.

Choosing the Right Fabric Colors For Your Quilt by Loretta Oliver

One of the first steps in creating a handmade heirloom quilt is choosing the fabric. This beginning step can make a huge difference in the end product that you create. If the color scheme is wrong you can end up with a quilt that isn't so nice to look at in many cases. The exception there, of course, would be scrappy quilts where you can use any and every piece of fabric you can find.

So, let's talk about color scheming your fabric for a nice color coordinated quilt. The easiest way to figure out your best choice for fabric colors is to grab a color wheel. That simple little tool can save you a lot of headache in fabric selection. For a two color quilt, you just choose two colors that are across from each other and you're all set. Easy as pie!

When you get into three and four color combination designs it gets a little more difficult to stick to the right colors, and you want to be aware of tones and shades as well. The three primary colors, red, yellow and blue, form a triad. When using four colors, look for a tetrad, which is two complementary colors and two colors evenly spaced from one of the complementary colors.

A fun little quilter's side tip: Grab the paint sample strips at the paint store where they have color sets. Those are a great little tool for planning out quilt project colors and they're already prematched, you just have to find fabrics that are similar then start cutting and sewing.

Other things you might want to consider when you're planning out a new quilt project is where the quilt will go. If it's a gift you may wish to choose shades of the recipient's favorite color as the main color in the quilt design. You might decide to match a quilt's colors to the theme of a room that it will be displayed in.

If you're still not sure what colors you want to use for your quilt project you can always pick up a pattern suggestion and follow it specifically. Another fun option is to put together a scrappy quilt, like we mentioned earlier, where you put together a quilt using scraps of many different kinds of fabric and they really aren't even supposed to match.

Whatever you do, have fun and enjoy your quilting project!

Learn more about how to get started quilting at http://www.squidoo.com/beginnerquilting

For some quilting and patchwork project ideas check out the Encyclopedia of Quilting and Patchwork Techniques for fantastic ideas and detailed how to sections on various techniques.

How To Make A Mini Rag Quilt Wall Hanging

If you love to sew and like country or primitive decor, I think you will enjoy this easy to make sewing project. You will need the following supplies:

8" square of homespun fabric (backing fabric)
(2) 4 1/2" squares of homespun fabric (2 front squares)
(2) 4 1/2" squares of tea stained muslin fabric (2 front squares)
(2) 2 1/2" by 4" pieces of tea stained muslin fabric (hanging straps)
7" piece of cotton quilt batting
Coordinating sewing thread
Black Metal Mini Hanger (found at craft supply stores)
2 round plastic buttons
Scissors
Sewing Machine

Place the piece of cotton quilt batting on top of your backing square. Arrange the 4 smaller squares on top (as shown in the photo). Using a 1/2" seam allowance, sew the squares to the backing and batting piece. You will use scissors to fringe all of their edges being careful to not cut through your sewn stitches.

Use your sewing machine to sew your muslin straps by sewing around 3 of the edges and then turn right side out. Finish sewing up the final short end of the strap. Fold straps in 1/2 and attach them to your mini quilt with handstitches or machine sewn stitches once you have the wire hanger placed inside them (make sure you place the hanger in there before you sew them shut. Finally, hand sew on 2 decorative buttons to add a little pretty accent to your mini wall quilt.

This mini quilt would look cute hanging off a peg shelf or cabinet knob.

Happy Quilting,
Shelly

How To Make An Easy Amish-Style Rag Quilt Blanket

When it comes to quilting, one of the easiest quilts to make is a Rag-Style Cotton Quilt. Unlike traditional quilting, these type of quilts are quilted as you make them and they have exposed outer seams which you snip after you are done sewing them to make it fringe. After laundering, it rags which leads to your quilts country charm.

For this particular quilt, I chose to work in traditional Amish colored scheme with solid black fabric along with solid colored fabric. All of the fabrics used are cotton as they rag and fray the best. You don't want to use polyester or nylon-blend type of fabrics in these type of quilts.

Supplies Needed:

Approximately 7-8 Yards of Cotton Fabrics
2 Packages Warm and Natural Cotton Batting
Scissors
Fiskars (tm) Rag Quilt Snipping Scissors
Sewing Machine and Basic Sewing Supplies
Rotary Cutter, Mat and Ruler

Seam Allowances: I used a 3/4" seam allowance while making this rag quilt.

Finished Throw Quilt Size: 15 rows by 19 rows. (In other words, I have 15 squares in my horizontal rows and 19 squares in my longitude rows).

Preparation: Wash and dry your fabrics before starting. If necessary, iron them if they become wrinkled.

Cutting Fabric: I cut my fabric down to 4" sized squares using my rotary cutter. Try to make the squares an accurate 4" in size. You will need a total of 570 squares which will make 285 blocks. (2 fabric squares make up 1 block).

Cutting The Cotton Batting: You need your batting squares to be smaller than your fabric squares, mine measure 3" square. You will need one batting square for each fabric square so you need a total of 285 cotton batting squares.

Step 1: You need to make your fabric squares by layering a piece of cotton batting between to fabric squares. The right side of your fabric will be facing out and the batting will be inside. Use your sewing machine and sew an X through each square. You do this by going from the top left corner and down to the bottom right corner. Then flip your square and do the other side. It should resemble an X pattern on the center of your square. I leave 3/4" of an inch un-sewn at each corner. You will do this for all 285 squares.

Step 2: Clear off a large table or use a clean floor. Lay out all of your sewn fabric squares in a pattern or design that you like. For the pattern that I chose, I alternated between black and a colored square. (see photo)

Step 3: Using a 3/4" seam allowance, so your squares together in horizontal rows.

Step 4: Using a 3/4" seam allowance, sew all of your horizontal rows together. As your quilt increases in size, it becomes a little bit difficult to hold and pull through your sewing machine...if needed, work it in 3 sections and then sew the 3 sections together to make it more manageable.

Step 5: Once you have all your rows together, you will have a rectangular throw quilt. You need to load it back into your sewing machine and go around all 4 sides with a 3/4" seam allowance. Finally...all your sewing is completed.

Finishing Your Throw Quilt: To finish your rag-style throw quilt, you need to snip all of your seams...you need to be VERY careful to not snip throw any of you sewn lines/seams. If you don't own a pair of the Fiskars (tm) rag quilt snippers, I highly recommend that you get a pair as they are easier on your hands than scissors. (however, you can use regular sharp fabric scissors too). This next snipping step for will take a long time, so sit down with a cup of coffee and put a movie on. Using snippers or scissors, you need to snip/clip all of your seams to make the fringe. I like to clip mine every 1/4" and the closer together you clip them, the more your quilt will fray and rag when you launder it. You will do this on all of the seams and around the outer edges of your quilt.

Washing The Quilt: Now its time to make it all raggedy. I wash and dry mine 2 complete cycles. Put your quilt into the washer with a little laundry detergent and some fabric softener and wash it on the normal cycle. Once it is done, dry it in the dryer and then repeat the washing and drying again.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Your quilts will shed a ton of threads and lint during the washing and drying process for the first few cycles. You need to clean your lint traps frequently, especially while drying them. I set a timer and check my dryer lint trap every 10 minutes as I don't want to catch anything on fire. After they have been laundered a few times, the shedding will stop.

The more you wash and dry your raggedy quilts, the softer they will become.

Enjoy your new quilt!

This pattern, photo's and instructions are copyright 2010 by Shelly Hill. You can not reprint this information on your web site, blog, newsletter or other media outlet without my permission. However, You may link to my post directly from your web site to my post and point visitors to my post here on my blog.

How To Make Rag Quilted Fabric Beverage Coasters

When it comes to sewing up some country fabric coasters, these are really easy to make and work up quickly. You will only need basic sewing skills and supplies to make them.

Here is what you will need:

Less Than A 1/4 Yard Cotton Fabric
Warm and Natural Cotton Batting
Scissors
Rotary Cutter, Cutting Mat and Ruler
Sewing Machine and Basic Sewing Supplies

Pattern: From printer paper, make yourself a pattern by measuring and drawing a 4 3/4" square.

Cutting Fabric and Batting: For each coaster you will need two fabric squares and one batting square. From your choice of fabric, cut two 4 3/4" sized squares. From your cotton batting, cut one 3 3/4" square.


Sewing: With the right sides of your fabric facing out, place a piece of cotton batting between them. Starting at the top left corner, sew down to the bottom right corner. Next, flip your square and do the same to the other side. You should now have an X running through the center of your square. Continue using the straight stitch setting on your sewing machine and sew around all four sides using a 1/2" seam allowance.

Fringing The Coaster: Using a pair of scissors or rag quilt snippers, make snips around all four edges of your square. I like to do mine every 1/4" but be careful that you don't snip through any of your stitches.

Finishing: Once you have made the desired amount of coasters, put them into your washer and dryer. The more you wash and dry them, the more the fringe will rag up and give you that country charm.

If you are giving them as a gift, you can tie a piece of ribbon or twine around them to secure them all together. It makes for a nicer presentation.


This pattern, photo's and instructions are copyright 2009 by Shelly Hill, All Rights Reserved. You can use this pattern/instructions for making items as gifts, personal use or to sell your finished beverage coasters. However, you can not use my photo's or printed instructions on your site. You can link to my blog and/or blog post.

How To Make A Rag Quilt Throw Blanket

When it comes to quilting, one of the easiest quilts to make is a Rag-Style Cotton Quilt. Unlike traditional quilting, these type of quilts are quilted as you make them and they have exposed outer seams which you snip after you are done sewing them to make it fringe. After laundering, it rags which leads to your quilts country charm.

For this particular quilt, I chose to work in the purple and green color scheme and I used solid and print fabrics. All of the fabrics used are cotton as they rag and fray the best. You don't want to use polyester or nylon-blend type of fabrics in these type of quilts.

These type of quilts are reversible...one side will be raggedy like shown in the photo below:


The other side of your quilt will look like a traditional quilt, like shown in the photo below:


Supplies Needed:

Approximately 8 Yards of Cotton Fabrics
2 Packages Warm and Natural Cotton Batting
Scissors
Fiskars (tm) Rag Quilt Snipping Scissors
Sewing Machine and Basic Sewing Supplies
Rotary Cutter, Mat and Ruler


Picture of Rotary Cutter, Mat and Ruler That You Will Need.

Seam Allowances: I used a 3/4" seam allowance while making this rag quilt.

Finished Throw Quilt Size: 15 rows by 19 rows. (In other words, I have 15 squares in my horizontal rows and 19 squares in my longitude rows).

Fabric Preparation: Wash and dry your fabrics before starting. If necessary, iron them if they become wrinkled.

Cutting Fabric: I cut my fabric down to 4" sized squares using my rotary cutter. Try to make the squares an accurate 4" in size. You will need a total of 570 squares which will make 285 blocks. (2 fabric squares make up 1 block).

Cutting The Cotton Batting: You need your batting squares to be smaller than your fabric squares, mine measure 3" square. You will need one batting square for each fabric square so you need a total of 285 cotton batting squares.


Step 1: You need to make your fabric squares by layering a piece of cotton batting between to fabric squares. The right side of your fabric will be facing out and the batting will be inside. Use your sewing machine and sew an X through each square. You do this by going from the top left corner and down to the bottom right corner. Then flip your square and do the other side. It should resemble an X pattern on the center of your square. I leave 3/4" of an inch un-sewn at each corner. You will do this for all 285 squares.

Step 2: Clear off a large table or use a clean floor. Lay out all of your sewn fabric squares in a pattern or design that you like.

Step 3: Using a 3/4" seam allowance, so your squares together in horizontal rows to make long strips consisting of your squares.


Step 4: Using a 3/4" seam allowance, sew all of your horizontal rows together. As your quilt increases in size, it becomes a little bit difficult to hold and pull through your sewing machine...if needed, work it in 3 sections and then sew the 3 sections together to make it more manageable.

Step 5: Once you have all your rows together, you will have a rectangular throw quilt. You need to load it back into your sewing machine and go around all 4 sides with a 3/4" seam allowance. Finally...all your sewing is completed.

Finishing Your Throw Quilt: To finish your rag-style throw quilt, you need to snip all of your seams...you need to be VERY careful to not snip through any of your sewn lines/seams. If you don't own a pair of the Fiskars (tm) rag quilt snippers, I highly recommend that you get a pair as they are easier on your hands than scissors. (however, you can use regular sharp fabric scissors too). This next snipping step for will take a long time, so sit down with a cup of coffee and put a movie on. Using snippers or scissors, you need to snip/clip all of your seams to make the fringe. I like to clip mine every 1/4" and the closer together you clip them, the more your quilt will fray and rag when you launder it. You will do this on all of the seams and around the outer edges of your quilt.

Washing The Quilt: Now its time to make it all raggedy. I wash and dry mine 2 complete cycles. Put your quilt into the washer with a little laundry detergent and some fabric softener and wash it on the normal cycle. Once it is done, dry it in the dryer and then repeat the washing and drying again.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Your quilts will shed a ton of threads and lint during the washing and drying process for the first few cycles. You need to clean your lint traps frequently, especially while drying them. I set a timer and check my dryer lint trap every 10 minutes as I don't want to catch anything on fire. After they have been laundered a few times, the shedding will stop.

The more you wash and dry your raggedy quilts, the softer they will become.

If you don't have time to make your own raggedy-style country throw quilt, you can contact me about custom ordering one from me. I make them in any color combination and can make them in just about any size that you desire. You can email me at Ravish30(at)aol(dot)com


Enjoy your new quilt!

Quilting - How To Make A Rag Style Quilted Table Runner

I just love to spend time in my sewing room and one of the things I enjoy making are rag style quilts, table runners, dresser scarves, pillows and wall-hangings. I love the 'country-style' feel with rag quilts! If you are a beginner quilter or someone who is just learning to sew, this is certainly a great beginners project. Before you get started, please read through all of the steps/directions involved.

Supplies Needed:

1 yd. Cotton Fabric - Primary Color
1 yd Cotton Fabric - Secondary Color or Print
1 pkg. Warm and Natural Cotton Batting
Rotary Cutter, Ruler and Cutting Mat
Scissors
Sewing Machine and Basic Sewing Supplies
(optional) Fiskars Rag Quilt Snippers (like scissors but use for cutting the fringe)


Cutting The Fabric: I pre-washed my fabrics to remove sizing. I then ironed them to remove wrinkles. Using my rotary cutter and cutting mat, I cut 22 (6") fabric squares from my Primary Color of fabric. From my secondary color (print fabric) I cut 20 (6") fabric squares. You will need 2 squares of fabric per quilt block. From my Warm and Natural Cotton Batting, I cut 21 (5") batting squares. Note: Your cotton batting squares need to be a minimum of 1" smaller in size than your fabric squares.

Sewing Your Quilt Squares: You will make fabric block sandwiches by layering a piece of cotton batting between two of your fabric squares. Place a straight pin in the center to hold your 'sandwiches' together. Once your sandwiches are together, its time to sew your blocks (right sides of fabric facing out). Start in one corner and sew a straight stitch to the other corner. I leave a 1" space at each corner. You will then do this from corner to corner on the other side until you have sewn an X in the center of your sandwich fabric square. Do all of your squares in this manner until they are done.


Table Runner Assembly - Lay out your quilt blocks in your desired pattern. I decided to do 3 rows by 7 rows (see photo). Using 5/8" seam allowances (some people use 1" seam allowances) Place 2 quilt blocks right-sides together and straight stitch them together. I chose to do my horizontal rows first which consisted of 3 quilt blocks each. Once I had my horizontal rows together, I then I connected them all together by sewing my vertical rows. You now have a rectangle and all blocks are together. Finish up your sewing by sewing around the entire table runner using a 5/8" or 1" seam allowance.

Note: While attaching my rows to one another, I like to press open my seams using an iron...that is up to you if you want to do that step or not. I think it makes your sewing easier and your quilt will look nicer.


Fringing - I found the best tool for cutting all those seams to make the fringe. It is made by Fiskars (tm) and is called a rag quilt snipper...it is a lot easier on your hands compared to scissors. You will want to snip all of your seam allowances without snipping into your sewing line. I like to snip/cut every 1/8" of an inch because the smaller your snips/fringe...the better your fraying will be.

Washing and Drying - Once your table runner is finished, wash and dry it twice using laundry detergent and fabric softener. The fabric softener will help it to fray even more and make it softer.

Warning: The first few times you wash your rag quilt table runner, you will need to clean your washer and dryer lint traps every few minutes to keep them from getting clogged. I set a little timer for 10 minute intervals so that I am constantly checking on them and cleaning the traps. You don't want any fires! After the first 2-3 washings, your quilted table runner will quit shedding and you can wash and dry it normally.

Free Rag Quilting Table Runner Pattern

A few years ago I learnt how to do rag quilting and I have been doing it ever since. I have rag quilts, throws, pillows, table runners and even a ragged denim rug that decorate different areas of my home.

Rag quilting is a great way for beginners to try their hand at quilting. This method of quilting is rather easy and your projects work up quickly. I was able to make a table runner in 2 days.

You can find free patterns and instructions on how to do rag quilting and rag quilted table runners by visiting the Love To Sew Web Site.

I made my table runner (shown in the photos) by following their Raggedy Quilt Table Runner Pattern. I chose to use all green, dark teal, dark red and red patterned fabrics in my table runner and all of the fabrics I used are cotton calicos...as they fray and fringe easily. I used Warm & Natural cotton batting as my quilt 'filler'.

There is no right or wrong side to a rag quilt. One side will show your exposed frayed rag seams and the other side looks like a traditional quilt. This is why I love rag quilts...you can reverse them and they still look beautiful.

The photo below shows the 'raggedy' side with exposed frayed seams.


The last photo below shows the traditional quilted side of my table runner.


I made up a dozen of these to use around my house and I also gave several of them away as holiday gifts. I am going to make up several more and use some holiday print fabrics and colors and then use those runners around the various other holidays throughout the year. Example: Easter, St. Patrick's Day, Valentine's Day, Patriotic, Halloween and Thanksgiving.