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I have a couple of the Safari Minkee layer cakes and was thinking about making a rag quilt with it.
Would it be good to use flannel for the middle layer? Was thinking about buying a variety of the cotton skin prints to use for the top layer.
Anyone else use minkee for a rag quilt?
I used it for a baby version. I used 6 1/2" minkee squares on the top and bottom. Because it was a baby version, I used 5" batting squares in the middle.
I will say by the time I was done with it I swore no more Minkee for me. It stretches and slides and basically drove me a little crazy when I was working with it. But it did make a cute rag quilt. Not as "frayed" as other rag quilts I have made and used flannel and cotton but still cute and soft.
I LOVE minkee and have used it in a rag quilt. You don't have to use any middle layer with minkee if you don't want to. I didn't. I have used minkee as a quilt back before and did use poly batting to keep it as light as possible. Minkee is a heavy material!
I made a minkee rag quilt for a baby, using the charm squares. I used flannel squares for the back with nothing in between. It turned out great and was a good weight.
I have used Minky in many rag quilts and always love the outcome and so do my kids and grandkids. It does make a mess when you cut it and you think you won't ever shake all the fuzzies out initially but to me any hassle is so worth the end result.
I have an Accu Quilt cutter. I use their 8 1/2" rag die which cuts all the edges for you and is a wonderful time saver but of course is not necessary! I alternate the Minky squares with flannel squares depending on color scheme, etc. on the top side of the quilt.
I use a layer of Minky, then 6 1/2" square of batting, (think it is Hobbs Warm & Natural) and then usually back with all flannel. They are not really that heavy but might be if the whole thing was Minky. A walking foot can help when using Minky.
I got my idea from a local quilt shop a few years ago (not sure I would have thought of using Minky in a rag quilt myself) and have been making them since. I guess you can tell I am a big fan and so is my family!! Lol
This is the one I did for a class with my quilty ladies. I used the safari layer cake and skin print flannel. I did not use any thing in the middle as the flannel and minkee were enough.
Attachment 64255
Thanks for all the wonderful advice!
I'm going to be making it for a friend of my youngest son. His friend is about 6'4". And sometimes he sleeps in his car. I have chewed him out for doing this. One morning I found him asleep in his car in front of our house. Told him to sleep in our guest room next time. My son suggested a quilt for his car. The kid is not homeless, he arrives somewhere late and if it looks like they are not home or are asleep he will just sleep in his car while he waits for them.
I'm thinking 8 rows and 6 columns. The squares are 11" and will shrink down to 10" using 1/2" seams. Or should I make it 9 rows so he can wrap it around his feet? 6'4" = 76".
April and Iris - both of those quilts are gorgeous! Good snuggle quilts.
Thanks! I would go with 9 rows. I am sure he will appreciate the extra length. Good luck, post a pic when you finish.
When you make a rag quilt you use a bigger seam allowance, usually it's 1/2", so allow for a 1" difference in your finished block.
I'd go for the extra row :-) But my whole family loves BIG heavy thick warm quilts. Minkee is very heavy compared to quilting cotton, but it is DELIGHTFUL in a quilt!
Can anyone post a link with directions for a rag quilt? I am assuming that you layer the fabrics for each square and then sew the seams leaving the edges exposed on the top?
Here's Jenny's tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0UQgeol-Zk
Thank you very much!
You're welcome!
