Monday, March 01, 2010

My first Rag Quilt

I have been quilting atleast 15 years.  I had not made a true rag quilt in all those years. Sure I saw everyone doing it...but I never found the right fabric to inspire me to make one.
Then the Go Cutter came along.
My friend Carol clued me in to a site that was having a sale on the cutter and free shipping. I buckled. I bought one and several dies and mats.
At Christmas my staff gave me not one, but 4 dies for my Go Cutter! yes 4! it was awesome. I had mentioned that I saw there is a die for rag quilts and the perfect size square for cutting batting for in between. They gave me a 6.5 inch square. 
A few days pass and we took a trip to SC. Now remember this is Christmas time. The quilt shops were closed or so I thought. I was actually kinda bummed they were closed because we'd be leaving before they opened again.
On Christmas Eve I was going to Walmart. I know...nuts. Anyhow, for some reason my car drove over to quilt store...to be sure they were closed. Well the owners were there, but not technically open. They let me in! Yeah. And that's where all the rest of my trouble started.
They had a Rag quilt die for the Go Cutter! plus...as I was browsing I realize they had Riley Blake Be Merry flannel.  Be still my heart. I totally love that fabric line. The colors are gorgeous to me.

They had a limited number of prints, 5 I think.  So I bought some..with no idea how much I would need. 
Then I continued on to Walmart. This particular Walmart still has fabric! And they had flannel solids in hot pink that matched the Be Merry flannels quite well. I bought a bit of that too..only a half yard of 2 colors.
Then I went on etsy  (dangerous!) and found a seller that had 7 other prints.  By then I figured about how much yardage I would need. Turns out, I have 4 yards extra. That's not too bad for just guessing. I know I will use it in another quilt someday.

So I cut the first blocks, then put them through the Go Cutter! I have mixed reviews on it. At first I was totally convinced that this was the ONLY way to do a rag quilt. The fringe already cut from the go! LOL
I was warned by the quilt shop owner to turn my mat frequently as this die would damage it. So I did. I turned it many, many times...and still I cut right through the mat. Yep a $10 mat trashed.
After the X's were sewn and assembly began I quickly realized that the fringe was my ENEMY.  Those buggers turn in, turn under and sometimes end up on the wrong side.  I frogged so much I nearly scraped the whole thing. 
Finally, I came to the conclusion that this quilt WILL be used. So what if the seams don't match? ( hence why I am not showing the back!) or that one fringe is stuck in the middle? who will know? me..and I decided that, that was o-kay.
And besides being ULTRA warm in this cold, cold Ohio...it's really pretty too.
Have you made a rag quilt? would you do it again?

23 comments:

sewali said...

Hi Vickie, I have just found your blog via Quilter Blogs. Thanks for posting about the Go! Rag die, I've been thinking of buying a Go! cutter just for this, but now maybe I won't. I hadn't thought how awkward it would make getting all the fringes the same way.

sewali said...

Meant to say, love the finished quilt though!

Unknown said...

Vickie, After everything you went through to make this quilt, I think the finished quilt is beautiful!! How nice of everyone in the office to give you such a wonderful gift at Christmas! And for the quilt shop owners to open up the store on Christmas eve. Very cool!

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

Even with all the issues you had, it's still darn pretty. I'm sure it's nice and soft too.

Suzanne said...

In the end it turned out really nice! I've made a few little rag quilts that my girls use as blankies. As long as you have a good pair of sharp-tipped scissors it's pretty easy to sit there and snip away :)

Needled Mom said...

It looks just fabulous! I have done a couple of them and was thinking what a great idea it would be to do the die cuts on them until I read your review. I can definitely imagine all the issues you brought up. Yikes. Would YOU do another one?

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

It is very pretty Vickie! And warm too! Yes, I've made quite a few rag quilts and they are loved by the owners. Made a queen size in brown and green flannel plaids for my son & thinks is the world of it! Did a cathedral window out of bright batiks for a wedding gift that is cherished; and a flowery plaid one for a shower gift. Come to think of it, I've never shown them on my blog. I will have to do that.

Jandi said...

It turned out so cute despite all the problems! I love making rag quilts but haven't made one in months. I made a small rag quilt for my then 18 month old without the batting. It is nice and light which is great since he insists on taking it everywhere. I have never used a Go Cutter. I always just sew the whole thing together, pop a movie in, and sit down to cute all the seams with my springy-scissors. ( I'm sure that there is a name for those but I have no idea what it is!)

Brooke said...

I would have to admit that I have been quilting longer than you and I have NOT made a Rag Quilt! Mostly for the same reasons you blogged about ;-)
Love you quilt though!!

Sherri said...

I've made 6 rag quilts...and do not enjoy them...my hands always hurt for weeks after doing all the clipping...but I just used regular scissors. One Christmas I made 3...big mistake! But they are beautiful and warm!I have a nice one cut out for me...but just can't convince myself to make it!

WoolenSails said...

I love how you cut the edges, really nice effect.

Debbie

maria said...

Hi Vickie,

I think this little quilt is just beautiful and very colorful.

Too bad about the ruined mat.

Maria

Dandelion Quilts said...

I think it is very cheery.

Sandy said...

Love those colors...have not made a flannel rag quilt yet, but it's on my to do list!

Vesuviusmama said...

Despite the difficulties, I love your finished quilt. I've made one rag quilt, and have helped my sister and my son each make one. I will definitely make more, although I want to make something big enough for me to snuggle under. I just love the feel of the flannel.

Kat said...

My mom has made several school-themed rag quilts to sell at fundraisers. Yours looks lovely, but I can just imagine what a nightmare it would be to put it together with the fringe already cut! Overall I think rag quilts aren't my cup of tea, but they are a fun and easy way to get a cute look.

Red Geranium Cottage said...

Very cute. I love rag quilts. There so easy and sooooo comfy.

SewCalGal said...

Beautiful rag quilt. I never wanted to make a rag quilt until I got the AccuQuilt. Really saves time and makes it easy. Of course, I've fallen in love with the AccuQuilt for many types of quilting. If you are on Facebook you may also want to become a fan of AccuQuilt. Fun to share AccuQuilt quilts with others!

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

SewCalGal said...

Beautiful rag quilt. I never wanted to make a rag quilt until I got the AccuQuilt. Really saves time and makes it easy. Of course, I've fallen in love with the AccuQuilt for many types of quilting. If you are on Facebook you may also want to become a fan of AccuQuilt. Fun to share AccuQuilt quilts with others!

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Mari said...

I think it turned out beautifully. Lovely colors ! Good job!

Maria said...

I hate (times 10) making rag quilts. They shed forever. And they're so boring. The nice thing is that when you're done, you're done. No quilting. However, I've made several because one of my brothers keep producing children. And their kids wear their rag quilts to shreds. And I love that!!!

The Tarin Family said...

Thanks for posting about your rag die cut. I too, have a Go! Cutter. I Love my cutter, and my husband has been hounding me to get the rag quilt die. (I don't really care to quilt rag quilts) I can now let my husband know that it isn't all that it's meant out to be.
However, your quilt turned out really cute, and I almost changed my mind on the die cut, until you shared your experience. :o) Thanks!
PS: I LOVE your blog! I found you off Modabakeshop.com. That quilt is super cute, and on my list of quilts to do this year. Thanks for blogging about your quilts and adventures.

Cecelia said...

Love your quilt colors! It's so pretty! Will you please do another quilt with the go? You inspire me to use mine and quilt! Love your blog!!