To all you rag quilters out there.......

I've been looking at all the rag quilts, and have a question. Do most of you free-hand the snips to make the rag part, or do you have a tool that measures that for you? I've seen them in the quilt stores, but curious as to the methods you use.

I have the 8 1/2 in rag die that I use in my accuquilt go. It cuts your block out and at the same time makes the cuts all around the block. Works great, but word of warning, this is one of the harder accuquilt dies to clean. Gets lots of threads in the blade areas and takes time to clean them out. I use the dental pick that comes with it and a pair of tweezers.

I have scissors just for this. It's called Rag quilt snip by Fiskars. I love it

I do the same as Jackie....I cut free hand with Fiskars.

I cut free hand as well. I do recommend finding a pair of scissors with spring action because it can really tire your hand.

after using regular scissors on my first I bought the Ragquilt scissors, too.
i seriously could not move my wrist for days after the first one.

The snips are great! I haven't made a rag quilt but I've used them on other craft projects and they're wonderful! I highly recommend making the investment if you like making rag quilts. Worth the investment.

I also did my first one using regular scissors. I think it took me longer to snip it than to make the quilt! I got a wonderful pair of spring action scissors from a friend for my birthday and it is SO much easier! The biggest challenge for me with a rag quilt is wrong sides together, and watch the back of your quilt to make sure you're following your pattern, know what I mean?

I cut my rag edges using rag snips by Fiskar....they're wonderful!!!!! :)

I too only hand snip mine. I do need to get a pair of the fiskar spring snippers though.

Hand snip mine as well..this similar to binding is my time to sit with hubby whilst watching TV or chatting and still have something to work on in my hands..I use the Fiskars snips also!

rag quilt scissors are the best...however I have added some extra padding on the handles. I sit infront of the TV and cut, some times I take two nights depending on how big the quilt....Be prepared for lint, lint, and more lint in both washer and dryer after cutting.....I wash twice, just because, the first time in hot water

I have been itching to make one but its like a different world. Kind of scares me. Lol

oh you must jump in and join the fun......
great fun, and you really can not make a mistake....
it is just great fun

Free hand...while I watch like...The Lord of the Rings Extended Edition Trilogy lol...(depending on the size of the quilt of course LOL) The spring loaded snips are divine...

I hand cut with a spring loaded scissors made for rag quilts. I made three for my grandchildren for christmas using flannel.

I love rag quilts but I always wondered about the snips...thanks for the info on the scissors...I will put it on my list of supplies to get!

(this is why I LOVE this forum...the information I get is just wonderful...)

I've got a question about the lint..
Do you wahs the quilt by hand the first time? how do you get rid of the worst then?
I've just got a new washing machine and I'm a little scared of what the lint would do to it...