Rag Quilt Part 2

So, I am back to give you part 2 of the rag quilt tutorial.

So I like to take my squares and line them up with a blanket that I know fits.

I take my squares and start covering the other blanket. 

Keep covering, I usually ad a few extra squares to each side because remember our squares will shrink. 

Once you have your lay out it is time to start sewing. 

I like to measure 1/2 in and place a piece of tape to use as a guide. This will make the fringe at the end. 

Sew all those squares together with that seam allowance.

It should look like this.

The backs will look like this! You can also use a thread that blends with your fabric. 

Here's an example of the shrinkage that occurs. However it looks worse because my strips are a little over more than it looks like. 

Sew all those squares to make strips! 

Then well sew our strips together it should look like this. 

After all our strips are sewn together we will start the long process, cutting. I recommend putting on a movie and using some spring loaded scissors they are great on the hand too! You will want to cut about every 1/4in its not crucial that they are 100% even. I try to make them a little different I like the way it looks. 

  

It should look like this. If you happen to cut through the seam just run over it with your sewing machine quick. The fringe will cover it. The very last step is to wash your blanket then dry it, when drying try to empty the lint trap about every 30 min because this will clog it fast the first 2 times or so. This will begin the fraying process. I recommend drying it twice. Then it is ready to use or give as gift! Such a great project! And again great for a beginner! Now that's all but i will post a pic after mine is finished cutting and washed and dried you can see the finished project! 

  

Rag Quilt Tutorial Part One

Today I thought I would give you part one of this tutorial, how to make a rag quilt. So these are a lot of fun! They seem time consuming but really no worse than quilting a quilt but a whole lot easier, and I love the look when they are finished! 

You will need:

Cotton (You can use whatever for the front as well, even more flannel)

A thicker something for the back like flannel. You can use different things for the backing but you will want it to fray. 

*Optional batting

Lots of thread! 

scissors

You do not need a lot of sewing skills for this (great beginner project!)

We need to cut our squares I like them 6in by 6in (in the end we will be sewing 1/2in in all the way around so it will end up 5in by 5in. For how much to buy I buy a little over whatever that size normally takes, I would rather it be too big than too small. For this one I just bought all the fabric remnants that matched so I really am not sure how much I used and I think about 7 yards for the backing in flannel. (For a king) 

After our squares are cut we are going to sew from one side to the next 

It is good to do this in a chain you will waste a lot less thread. It will seem time consuming but remember you wont have to quilt afterwords. 

Then cut between each one so they are no longer a chain. 

And repeat so you have an X through every square.

I like to stack them and in this case I do not have the same amount of each square so I can kinda get ready to plan my layout.  

That's it for part one! I will be back soon to give you part two! 

Here are some I have finished before..

This one made from scrap flannel and some old pj pants.

Modge Podge transferring

So you may have heard of this, I hadn't. However now that I know of it I am addicted. This is amazing!

So to transfer any image that has been printed from an inkjet printer (magazine photos, newspaper, your own printings.) you will need an image or images, modge podge it doesn't matter if it is matte or glossy, fabric or whatever surface you want to transfer to. This will work on wood, plastic, glass fabric just about anything you can imagine!

So this was my first try just a generic quick try I didn't believe it would work. Its hard to see in the picture it is NY. It is on a Tee shirt.

Cut your pictures to size. 

Cover your photo with modge podge generously. on the side you want to transfer. 

Lay it right side down onto your surface. Press down to eliminate air bubbles. 

Let it dry completely. It has to be 100% dry. Ill show you what happens if it doesn't dry completely.

Once it is dry wet the paper just enough so it makes it easy to rub off. And start rubbing..

You will start to see the image, keep rubbing.

Here is the first one it looks pretty good. Although some of it didn't transfer it looks great! 

This is the second which wasn't completely dry.  

So there you have it it is really fun I plan on layering some images to see what happens with them. I have heard it works better if they are black white gray photos but I like the worn look it loos good too.