LOOKING FOR A COZY QUILT PATTERN THAT’S SIMPLE AND STRESS-FREE? A RAG QUILT MIGHT BE JUST WHAT YOU NEED!
A rag quilt is one of the easiest ways to make something soft, snuggly, and completely handmade. And the best part? No quilting experience required. This cozy little project comes together quickly and can be customized to suit any season, style, or space.
Let’s take a look at just how simple it is to put a rag quilt together from start to finish.
Supplies for a Rag Quilt
Like many of my easy sewing and quilting projects, the supply list is not long for this rag quilt. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Fabric – assorted prints or solids for both the front and back of your squares. I chose to use flannel, but you can use other fabrics. Keep in mind that flannel and cotton will fray the best to give you the ragged-edge look we are going for.
- Batting – choose the thickness that you prefer. I used lightweight polyester batting for this rag quilt.
- Rag Quilt Snips – this tool is a must, in my opinion. There are several brands on the market but look for a pair that has a spring-back action.
- Rotary Cutter and Mat
- Sewing Machine
- Pins or clips
Yes, that’s really all you need.
Don’t forget to keep all your favourite quilting and sewing supplies in a Portable Sewing Room, which makes every project just that much faster!
You can watch my YouTube video here to see how easily this rag quilt came together:
And remember to go ahead and SUBSCRIBE to my YOUTUBE CHANNEL, to be sure you don’t miss out on any fun projects!
To get the step-by-step instructions, continue reading below.
FABRIC + NOTIONS FOR EVERY PROJECT
From charm packs and jelly rolls to rulers and thread, Fat Quarter Shop is packed with everything a quilter or sewist could need. It’s one of my first stops when planning a project.
Instructions for a Rag Quilt
The quilt that I made is comprised of 10-inch squares. I used a total of 42 squares – six blocks wide by seven blocks long. You, of course, can adjust this to any width or length you like, or you can adjust your square size.
Start by cutting your fabric. To follow the pattern that I used, you will need 42 squares of whatever fabrics you have chosen for the front and 42 more for the back. You will also need to cut 42 squares of batting. If you are cutting 10-inch squares as I did, and you are also using a ½-inch seam allowance, cut your batting to 9 inches. The goal is to have your batting small enough that it will not be caught in the seams as you sew your columns and rows together.
I cut all my fabric and batting pieces ahead of time so everything’s ready to go. Prepping in batches makes the sewing process so much smoother.
Next, you will build your blocks. Place a square of backing fabric right side down. Place a piece of batting on top of the backing, followed by a front piece which is right side up. You will create a sandwich of sorts, and both sides should have the right side of the fabric facing out.
As you build your blocks, stitch across them diagonally to form an X to hold the batting in place. You can use a straight stitch, a zig-zag stitch or a wavy stitch like the one that I used. If you like, you can draw two diagonal lines to guide your stitching.
Before sewing, I like to lay out all my squares to play with placement. It helps me balance the colours and prints before committing with a seam!
Once all your blocks are built, lay out the blocks to determine the pattern of your quilt. Choose any pattern you like, but pay attention if you have any directional fabrics.
Before sewing, I like to lay out all my squares to play with placement. It helps me balance the colours and prints before committing with a seam!
Now it’s time to start stitching! Be sure that as you sew your blocks together, you are stitching with back sides together. You want the raw edges facing the front of the quilt.
I like to press my seams open as I go. I prefer to have the seams open, as too many times, I have snipped too far down and put a hole in my quilt. Working with the pressed seams provides a small buffer for the tip of your snips.
TRUSTED TOOLS FOR EVERY STITCH
Singer offers reliable, easy-to-use machines and sewing tools that help bring your projects to life.
Be sure to stitch around the entire quilt with the same seam allowance as you have used for your blocks. Alternatively, you could use a binding. For my quilt, I simply stitched a ½-inch seam allowance around the perimeter of the quilt.
Once all the stitching is done, it’s time to cut. You can snip the raw edges in any manner you like. I find that using a slightly random pattern provides for a fuller ragged effect. After you have finished snipping, toss your quilt into the wash and the dryer. This will fluff up the edges and give you the cozy effect you are looking for.
And that’s it. The most time-consuming part of this rag quilt, by far, is the snipping. I simply put on a movie or two and get to work.
These rag quilts are a favourite in our home, as I’m sure they will be in yours!
LOOKING FOR ANOTHER COZY FABRIC PROJECT?
If you love soft textures and simple sewing, you might enjoy this DIY blanket scarf tutorial. It’s a quick and stylish way to stay warm, and it’s perfect for using up leftover flannel or brushed cotton from your quilting stash.
Want to remember this? Save this “How to Make a Rag Quilt: A Cozy Beginner Project” to your favourite Pinterest boards!
