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I am working on my first rag quilt made with flannel. I cut the batting an inch smaller than my squares but it appears that a small amount of batting may show up in my half inch seams. Should I trim the batting a little more before sewing the squares together or will a small amount of batting in the seams be okay?
TIA
Congrats on your first rag quilt! I'm sure someone will be along soon with answers but I wouldn't think it would matter much......
I think it will be fine... I have only done one, so I'm no expert. I never understood if the sewing around the edge of the block was supposed to sew the backing in place, or if only the X sewn in the middle is sufficient to hold the batting in place. If the middle X is all it needs, I think I will cut my next batting squares just a little smaller next time. Guess it depends on the size of the block.
It should be fine, however, I prefer to avoid the batting in the seam allowance. The rag quilts get quite heavy and the seams bulky, especially at the intersections. If this is your first rag quilt, may I suggest that you join your blocks with seams stitched twice, or use a stretch stitch (the one that goes two forward and one back). The weight of a wet rag quilt in the washer can easily loosen the seams.
I have made rag quilts before. It is always safer to put a extra row of stitching because when you snip the seam allowance it is extra protection if you come to close to the stitching. Make sure you use a 1/2 seam allowance instead of a1/4. Hope this helps.
Yes, I would trim the batting a little more. When I make rag quilts I use three layers of flannel and no batting. I make my seams around 3/4" because I love thick, luxurious fringe. I have the directions in my User Notes.
I'm just finishing 4 rag quilts (my 1st Quilting venture). The 1st I cut the batting the same size (10") as the front (layer cake cotton) and back (flannel, ragged this side). My reasoning was that a 10" block had a lot of open space with just the "X" stitching. What I found was that it did made 'heavy' stitching even for a walking foot, especially in the final joining. Therefore I did the other 3 with the batting cut 9" to keep out of the seams; I found like you that here and there the batting was caught up in the seam.
As to the 'ragging effect' - I think it's fine with or without the batting showing. My 1st quilt with the batting fully showing is just heavier ragging than without it showing - both look very nice! I wouldn't recut the batting since it may shift again when you sew and be caught up in the seam - and it's going to be fine anyway. JMO. You'll love the rag quilt!!
Thanks again for the suggestions. I did trim the batting in a few blocks and I sewed the blocks together with a regular stitch with locking stitches at the beginning and end. I will double sew the rows together or use the back and forth stitch for extra support. It is for my daughter so the extra strength is a good idea.
I've made a few but only one with batting so not sure if trimming would be necessary. My family thought it was way to heavy with the batting so I just skipped that step from then on. Using the 3 layers of flannel like Buddy said was a lot better and I also like to use a 3/4 inch seam because it does make a very pretty edge after washing. I too did double stitch the quilt just to make sure nothing would come apart because as it was said they are quite heavy when wet. I think not matter what way you decide to go the quilt will be beautiful.
Being a rag quilt Queen! (Lol) I use 8.5 inch flannel blocks and use a 7.5 inch flannel block. with a 1/2" edge.
5 sq x 5 sq makes a baby, 8 sq x 9 sq makes a nice size lap. Happy Clipping!
Bscuzz, congratulations on your four quilts! It sounds like you got them done! Has your hand recovered from all of the clipping?