MAKING A RAG QUILT

Nov 03, 2002

MAKING A RAG QUILT


The quilt that you viewed this morning with Debbie Cupo and Sharon Rose on WCSH Ch6 is called a rag quilt.
Home spun plaids were use: The big squares are 9 inches X 9 inches. The small squares are 5 ½ inches X 5 ½ inches. Depending on the size of the quilt that you want to make will determine how many squares that you cut out.


Quilt Sizes

Deciding on what size quilt to make is a first step in planning a new project. Wall quilts can, of course be any size you choose. But, if you are making a quilt which will go on a bed you need to make decisions.

Will the quilt just fit the top of the bed?
Will it hang over and by how much?
Will the quilt have to cover pillows at the top?


Quilt book authors have different opinions on the sizes of quilts for different standard bed sizes. I've gone through a number of quilt books and have collected some of the numbers for you to compare.


First, what size are the standard mattresses:


Crib Twin Double Queen King
26" x 48" 39" x 75" 54" x 75" 60" x 80" 78" x 80" CAL KING 72" x 84"
Note: Crib mattress sizes vary,
check on the new baby's bed size if you can.


Also, don't forget to think about the height of the mattress as well. This will affect how much overhang you choose to add. Standard mattresses are 8-10" thick, but some extra thick ones may be as high as 16-18".


Remember to allow for "shrinkage" when you do your quilting - most quilts lose about 5 percent due to quilting shrinkage. The more densely you place your hand or machine quilting, the more shrinkage you'll see happen.


If you are making a quilt for a specific bed, be sure to measure to be safe.




Next you need to get some batting for the center of each square. This is just natural batting that was used. Cut your squares 6 ¾ inches for the large square and 3 ¼ inches for the small square. Place the batting near the center –doesn’t have to be perfect. Sew corner to corner in a giant “X”. Do all of your squares either by machine stitch or do by hand.


Now sew small squares together in a group of 4’s, then sew small onto the large-keep doing till you get the size you want!


Clip into but not too close to the seam about every ¼ inch.
Tip!----Sew 2 rows then clip-otherwise it will just be too big and heavy to do it at the end.


Once it is sewn all together-then go around the edge-sew an inch all the way around – this pulls it all together and has the appearance of completion – then clip.


You could put a row of large squares around the edge also as another way to finish the edges off.


As you complete-now wash it and dry it and all the fabric will fray. This gives the quilt a great cozy appearance.
ENJOY MAKING YOUR RAG QUILT-IT WILL LAST FOR YEARS!


THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST!
DEBBIE CUPO
MAINEWREATH & FLOWER


IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING A QUILTING GROUP TO MAKE QUILTS-PLEASE E-MAIL WITH YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS TO mainewreat@aol.com OR VISIT MY NEW AND IMPROVED WEBSITE: MAINEWREATH.COM AND CLICK ON “CONTACT US”.

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