Monday, January 21, 2013

Black and White Rag Quilts

One of the most popular rag quilts that I make is the Bold Graphic Black and White Rag Quilt.  I'm not sure why I get so many views of this particular quilt. I started making  black and white baby rag quilts because back in the day black and white graphic patterns were supposed to be so good for babies developing eyesight.




 



I added fleece between the layers for more cushioning and minky on the top and bottom for more softness.

Then people started asking for throw size quilts and bigger.



 





I kept the minky but didn't add the fleece since the quilts were becoming so heavy.  I've done a throw size all the way to a king size.  

It's not my favorite, give me a pink quilt anyday, but it's very popular. 

Here is my latest just finished today:





56 comments:

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    1. I have only made one denim quilt. I'd love to do more!!

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    2. Can I use 100: percent cotton? Will I get the same effect with the seams. Love the black and grey quilt I have similar colours.

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    3. You can but it will probably look thinner, skimpier.

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  2. These are absolutely georgous, my daughter wants one! In the top post it appears there is a filler in the blocks, is that the fleece you were referring to? Also did you use matching blocks on the back? I am currently making a minky quilt like this for my granddaughter it is very difficult sewing through 4 layers of Minky as I am using the same Minky blocks on the back. Are these 5" squares, sorry so many questions, I just want mine to look as beautiful as yours 😀

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    1. Terri, Thank you for the compliment. Yes all these rag quilts have either fleece or flannel sandwiched between the layers. All have 3 layers. 4 layers, especially 2 layers of minky, would be really thick at the meeting seams - 8 layers! Sometimes I have put the same fabric on the front and the back but mostly I just put white or black flannel. I like to use minky sparingly. All my quilt usually are 9" squares. Good luck with yours!

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    2. Thank you for the information about the layers. I have decided to make one for a grand baby due in September. My first try at making a rag quilt. I personally love the black and white fabric/design. The baby will receive a Navy and white to match his room colors. I would love to make one in baby blue and white. Thank you for posting your beautiful work.

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    3. You are welcome Susan! Good luck with your quilt. I know it will turn out beautifully!!!

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  3. If I post this 50 times sorry. I love the look of the ragged edges. How did u get them like that? How many layers Resort there?

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    1. Michelle, There are 3 layers - cotton, fleece and flannel. The ragged edges result from small cuts into the edge of the seam and then washing so the fabric starts to fray. I hope that helps.

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    2. until just the other day had not heard of these rags quilts....would really like to give it a try. Do you offer patterns or step by step in instructions....Thank you for your time.

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    3. Kristie, I have step by step instruction on this blog. Look for How to make a Rag Quilt.

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  4. We are very interested in this quilt as a twin size! It's stunning!!! I would love to know how much--thank you!!!
    btbrmagee@comcast.net

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    1. Why thank you Miss Reagan! You can check out my etsy shop for sizes and prices. https://www.etsy.com/shop/ZeedleBeez

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  5. Love making Rag Quilts. They are so much fun. Really like the black and white.

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  6. If you have a GO cutter you can cut squares in two sizes already fringed.

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  7. What is minky? I guess I am confused? I love them and know they would thrill the family

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    1. Minky is this super soft plush dimpled fabric. Look at the white square on my quilt. That's minky.

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  8. Love the quilts . Have a few questions. Are the black & white prints cotton or flannel ? The one that has some red print squares has red fringes coming thru is that from red flannel on back? Thanks for your time & sharing with us all.

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    1. Thank you so much! I like to use cotton prints on the top because flannels on the top and the bottom produce so much fluff and lint and it's very hard to remove completely. It turns the white flannel grayish. That doesn't happen with cotton prints on the top.

      Yes the red fringe is because the customer wanted red on the back.

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  9. Your quilts are beautiful, I have a question: how long is your seam allowance. The frays are so long and pretty.

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    1. Yes Ginny, these seams are quite large. I think I did 7/8"

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  10. Where did you find your fabric? I love the patterns!

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    1. Many of the fabrics I just find at my local Joann's

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  11. Joann fabrics has a calico wall full of cotton quilt fabrics called keepsake calicos beautiful colors and prints ....have you tried any of the batiks i want to try those

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    1. I have but so far only in the borders of t=shirt quilts. I love the batik colors!

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  12. I would like to try a baby quilt. I'm thinking I would like smaller squares than 10", would 8" work? If you have 4 squares one way and 5 the other using 10" squares, with 8" squares, would you do 5 x 6? Would appreciate any advice, thank you!

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    1. 8" would work just fine. My squares are usually 9" now. If you have 7/8" seams you can estimate the length and width to be 2" less than the square size. For example, 5 - 8" squares x 6- 8" squares would measure approx. 30" x 36". I hope that helps.

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  13. I would like to make a twin size one was wondering how much fabric to purchase

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    1. Hi Anonymous, A really great app I use to tell me how much fabric I need is the Robert Kaufman Quilting Calculator. You can estimate too by taking your square size, subtracting 2" and multiplying that number with the number of squares in your row. I hope that helps.

      PS: are you the same Anonymous from the questions above?

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  14. Hello,

    I am in love with your work! My question is related to a baby quilt that i made out of fleece. I was following a Youtube tutorial, and I was bummed when I washed my quilt, the fleece "pilled" and looks so worn out. It looks as if it's from a five and dime.

    is that correctable?
    Perhaps my fleece was not top quality?
    Should I use other fabric?

    Thank you!

    PS, I'm a new "anonymous" but this thing won't let me post any other way.

    marisolslp@yahoo.com is my email address.

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  15. Hi! Thank you so much!

    There are two fleeces that I have ever used and now I only use one. The two are anti-pill and blizzard. The anti-pill sounds great because you don't want it to pill but I've found it to do just that. It seems to be a lower quality fleece. I've never had a problem with the blizzard fleece. That's the one I use exclusively. I also use it on the inside of a rag quilt so you really don't see much of the fleece. I'm not sure you can fix your fleece.

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  16. Hi –
    I really love your quilts. I have started a small one using flannel on top and bottom with cotton batting in middle. It looks like you use different kinds of fabrics on one quilt. Everything that I have read says use the same material so when washed it all shrinks the same. Also, do you pre-wash? Thanks in advance.

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    1. Hello Teresa, I do use different fabrics at time and I usually don't pre-wash. Cotton and flannel both will usually shrink. If I know the fabric won't shrink like minky then I will pre-wash the other fabrics. I've never had a problem with the shrinking aspect.

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  18. Should you preshrink the milky like the flannel?

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    1. No you don't have to preshrink/ prewash the minky.

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  19. I really want to make one of these. Question: Do you use different color thread for the blocks, i.e., black on black or white on white, or do you the same color throughout?

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    1. I do use white on white and black on black but when I stitch around the perimeter I pick one or the other, usually white. Also when I'm sewing the rows together I put white in the top and black in the bobbin and just flip the fabric the way it matches.

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  20. Can I use just plain old cotton fabric for the top and still get that look or do I have to use flannel fabric??

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    1. Bebe, You can definitely use plain old (or new)cotton fabric on the top! It works just fine and you still get nice frays.

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  21. Are these tied or actually sewn together?

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  22. I LOVEEEEEE this quilt. What color fabric did you use on the back of the quilt?

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    1. It depended on how I wanted the fluffy seams to look. If I wanted the seams to be more white I would put white flannel on the backing with white in the middle. If I wanted the seams black I would use two layers of black flannel.

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  23. How many squares and what size squares do you use for the outer squares and what size for the inside felt/flannel.

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    1. Hi Angie f, I usually always use 9" squares for both outer squares and inside/backing squares. I also usually always use flannel for the middle and backing and sometimes fleece for the middle layer.

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  24. Do you still make these? I would love 1-2 of them throw size for my couch?

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    1. Megan, I do still make them but I've have to find different black and white designs. Contact me thru my Etsy shop if you are still wanting a throw.
      Flo
      https://www.etsy.com/shop/ZeedleBeez

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  25. Wish I could obtain a black& tan king rag quilt for summertime weight

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  26. Would really love to get a black & tan king sized rag quilt for summertime weight. Is that doable?

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  27. Do you sell them? I would love to buy the black & white, if yea, how much?

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