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Brushing to Fray a Rag Quilt

A rag quilt is a variation on the traditional patchwork quilt, which usually consists of block-shaped fabric pieces sewn together to form a large square or rectangle. Although created in the same manner as a patchwork quilt, a rag quilt often consists of materials not usually employed in standard quilting. To make a rag quilt, choose fabrics likely to fray and unravel when washed; a frayed, worn look gives this type of quilt its distinctive look.

Materials
- When creating a rag quilt, select good quality fabrics such as polar fleece, denim or flannel. Synthetic and cotton fabrics can also be used in the construction of a rag quilt but because they don't wear easily you may end up with a quilt that doesn't have the characteristic frayed look of a rag quilt.
Fraying
- Before you begin making your quilt, test how well the fabric will fray by sewing together, then washing and drying, sample pieces of the fabric you have chosen. To maximize the frayed area on a rag quilt, leave a 1-inch seam allowance between each sewn block. For a finer, thinner frayed look, leave a smaller seam allowance of 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch. Although fraying will still occur with a smaller seam, it will be less prominent in the overall design of the quilt. After sewing the seam, use heavy-duty spring-loaded scissors to cut the lines in the seam allowances approximately 1/4 inch apart. Cut as close to the seam as possible without cutting the seam itself.
Washing and Drying To Enhance Fraying
- After cutting the seams, wash the quilt in a washing machine using the normal cycle. When the cycle is complete, remove any large loose threads from the material then place the quilt in the dryer on high heat. The higher the heat, the more the seams will fray, become soft and take on a fluffy appearance. After thoroughly drying the quilt, remove it from the dryer and shake it, which will help to remove any remaining lint and fluff. Use a lint brush or vacuum cleaner to clear away any excess lint or threads. The more a rag quilt is washed and dried, the more frayed it becomes.
Uses
- A rag quilt can be used as a picnic blanket, bed throw, lap blanket, upholstered chair accessory, wooden chair seat pad or wall hanging. Depending on its intended use, a rag quilt can be small, medium or large in size. Smaller size quilts generally consist of 9 or 10-inch blocks sewn into a 6-by-8 rectangular pattern.

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