Unearth the cozy charm of rag quilts with our guide. From selecting fabrics to stitching squares, learn the steps to create a rustic, homey masterpiece. Quilting made easy!

This is my first tutorial and my first multi-size handkerchief rag quilt. I usually collect hankies until I have enough of the same size and simply put them together in the normal way for a rag quilt but I had so many hankies of various sizes that I was not using because I didn't have enough of a particular size. I wanted to figure out a good way to make the quilt using all the different sizes. I thought I could put a small size next to a big size and it would all work out in the end but the seams didn't match up and I didn't like the look so here is what I did instead. Step 1: Sort and organize your hankies as to size. I have an 11" pile, a 12 - 12 1/2" pile, a 13 - 13 1/2" pile and a 14" and above pile. Step 2: Iron each hanky and inspect for yellowing. The ironing will help you get the correct measurement. . If your vintage handkerchiefs look yellowed you can try a trick I found on Pinterest that really worked. I found it here. I wish I had taken the "before" picture of this hanky I tried it on but here is the "after." It looks amazing! Step 4: Layout your hankies in the array you want them to be in for your quilt alternating the sizes. Step 5: Take a picture of your layout. You don't really have to do this step but I find that my cats love to mess up my layouts. The pictures have saved me many times. Pick up the hankies by row so it will be easy to sew in the right order. Step 6: Select the largest size hanky and cut your flannel that same size. I am using flannel and fleece for this rag quilt. I like to use fleece with the very delicate hankies to give the quilt a nice weight. I cut my flannel and fleece squares 13 1/4". (The 1/4" was just my insurance.) Step 7: Layer the hanky and the flannels (and fleece if you are using it). I've made hanky quilts with just a hanky and two slices of flannel and it turns out beautifully. For this one I layered hanky, flannel, fleece and flannel. If the hanky is close to the size of the flannel squares then simply sew your traditional X through all 3 or 4 layers. If your hanky is smaller than an inch from the edge of the flannel like this: Pin it Sew it onto just the first layer of flannel Like this Then layer the other fabrics and sew through all the layers with the traditional X like this Step 8: When all the smaller hankies are sewn onto flannel and layered and all the hankies are sewn with an X, now you can begin to assemble the quilt. Alternate the small hankies with the large hankies as you did in the original array and sew them together in a row. I used a one inch seam on mine for a very fluffy look. Step 9: Sew all the rows together matching the seams as you go. Step 10: Sew around the perimeter of the quilt. I do a double perimeter seam for added strength and I think it looks pretty too. Step 11: (Gently lift cat off quilt) Clip all the seams as you would any rag quilt. Step 12: Machine wash your quilt. With Hanky quilts I use a delicate setting and dry on low. They wash up beautifully and this last step helps to give a nice full fluffy look to your seams. Admire your results: Update 2/23/14 I have sometimes cut through the hanky edge as part of the fluffy seams but if you don't want to cut into your precious hankies, make all your flannel squares 1" larger than your largest hanky. Sew down each of your hanky edges onto the first layer of flannel. When you sew the squares together you will only be snipping the flannel, not the hankies. Most of my hanky quilts are made with 3 layers of white flannel. Update 10/18/15 I recently made a vintage hanky quilt for a customer and I tried something different that I will continue to do. I sewed the hanky onto white muslin instead of flannel and then layered that square with the normal middle and backing in white flannel. I loved the look and the feel of the muslin and it didn't change the fluffy seams at all. It gave the whole quilt a nice fresh sheet feel. Here's a picture: Update 4/3/16 Check out the revised Step 12. Thank you to Judy for reminding me of this very important (previously missing) step. Update 4/23/16 Here is my latest hanky quilt. This one I made a heart design with the hankies. I'm posting it to show what the back looks like. Update 8/1/19 I just read through this post to see if what I had written way back in 2013 was still the way I make these quilts. I have made sooo many since then and I do everything almost the same way BUT now I find the largest hanky and I cut my muslin 2" larger. This ensures that I will not cut into any of the hankies when I cut the seams. I also always do my hanky quilts with 4 layers - hanky, muslin, flannel, flannel. No more fleece unless someone asks for that.

How To Make A Rag Quilt. Great beginner quilting tutorial. Easy to make sewing project. DIY quilting. Gift idea. How to make a rag quilt.

If you've been wanting to try your hand at quilting, a rag quilt is the perfect place to start — you only have to cut squares and sew a straight line!

With a rag quilt, you want your seams to show! After washing and drying, the exposed seams gently fray or ‘rag,' producing a very soft and cuddly feel – perfect for babies. Our design features unique scalloped outer edges.

Last year for my son's High School graduation, I made him this T-shirt rag quilt. I didn't save all of his T-shirts for 18 year...

Several years ago, the girls at our church began making these quilts for each new baby. A baby boom occurred soon after, so we began limiting it to

Adorable Rag Quilt Secrets! Make an easy flannel filled rag quilt with ruffled borders and no batting. Ruffled Rag Quilt Borders are fun & easy!

**If you missed Part 1, go HERE (Part I) Now, we’re ready to assemble the pillow front. Make sure you have the following supplies ready: -16 (5”) fabric squares -16 (4”) batting squares -your 4 previously created rows of denim circles -thread to match the denim 1. Work on one row at a time. Center each batting square in a denim circle. There is no need to measure, just approximate the center of the circle. 2. Next, center the fabric squares over the batting squares. Again, approximate the center and in this case, the fabric WILL be too big for the circle but the excess will not matter. Just smooth the excess fabric up the sides of the flaps. 3. Pin each flap down in preparation for sewing. Notice that you cannot see the excess fabric because it has been tucked up underneath the flaps. 4. Start sewing! Begin with the first pair of pinned flaps. Sew down one side, pivot (this is easier if you keep the needle in the down position) and sew around the other side. Backstitch at both ends. I like to use about a 3/8” seam allowance. The seam allowance should be big enough to clip later. Do this for all four rows. 5. NOW…let’s put all of the rows together! Use a ruler that is at least as long as your row of circles (I used a 24” ruler). Measure 1” from the edge of the circles and draw a line. (Again, no one will see this line so use any kind of marking device you would like.) 6. With WRONG sides together, pin this row to the next one. Make sure that in both rows, the fabric squares are facing the OUTSIDE, wrong sides together. Sew along this line. Backstitch at both ends of the row and reinforce each curve by sewing back and forth over the line. Reinforce at corners. 8. Press open the seam and then sew the other two rows together just as you did above. You should now have two identical sections composed of two rows each. 9. Sew down the flaps in both sections. Use an approximate 3/8” seam allowance. I have found that the easiest way to do this is to sew in a figure eight pattern, down one side and up the other. When you get to one end, leave the needle in the fabric, turn and sew back down the other side. You are basically following a figure eight pattern. (*see picture below) 10. Join the two sections together in exactly the same fashion as above. Measure 1” from the edge and draw a line. Pin the two sections together and sew on the line. REMEMBER, wrong sides together (fabric facing outward). **Backstitch at both ends and reinforce at the circle corners. 11. Press the flaps open and flat. Sew the flaps down. Again, use a figure eight pattern and a 3/8” seam allowance. 12. Trimming the Pillow Top. Measure 1” from all four edges of the pillow top, in this case it is not necessary to draw a line. Cut away and discard the 1” circle edges. 14. Check the size of your finished square. You will probably need to square it up so that it is the same width in both directions. You will want your pillow top to be somewhere between 17 1/2” - 17 3/4”. Any smaller and you may have problems getting your pillow form to fit. On to finishing the pillow! You will not do the actual clipping of the seams until the back is attached. For the last step you will need: -1/2 yard of backing fabric -18” pillow form -spring loading scissors (or regular sharp fabric scissors will also work) -stiff cleaning brush (optional)

Adorable Rag Quilt Secrets! Make an easy flannel filled rag quilt with ruffled borders and no batting. Ruffled Rag Quilt Borders are fun & easy!

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy. Learn rag quilting with this simple sewing tutorial. Create a cozy minky bl

"How do I get started with quilting?" I’ve gotten this question a lot recently! I am so happy to share some of my favorite quilting tools to help you get started! Download the PDF checklist! . . My interest for quilting started when I inherited my grandmother’s sewing machine. It was old and needed some work, so I took

Are you new to machine quilting? You may have made tied quilts for a while and now want to explore machine quilting. I’ve seen a lot of advice given for how to machine quilt but I think mos…

In an effort to have more time to spend designing, I'm no longer selling tools and supplies. But I don't want to leave you hanging! That section of the shop has always been where I share all my favorite things! So here's a list of all the tools and supplies I used to sell -

Learn how to make a cheater quilt that is fast, easy, and you can use any striped or plaid fabric. A cheater quilt is perfect for gifts!

I’ve wanted to make a Tumbler quilt for some time. If you’re unfamiliar with that name, a tumbler quilt is made up of blocks that resemble a drinking glass. It’s a classic quilt layout that can take o

Free Pattern How to make an Easy Blue Jean Rag Quilt. This Easy Blue Jean Rag Quilt is only a single layer and doesn't need batting! Plus it has borders!

With a rag quilt, you want your seams to show! After washing and drying, the exposed seams gently fray or ‘rag,' producing a very soft and cuddly feel – perfect for babies. Our design features unique scalloped outer edges.

Update: The pattern is complete! You can purchase a copy at my Etsy Shop: A Passionate Quilter Etsy Shop Recycled Denim Jeans- Rag Quilt Pattern I have posted several times in the past about the progress of my recycled denim jeans quilt. As I progressed I got some great feedback and I decided to turn it into a pattern. I'm about a third of the way through the pattern draft and have been taking pictures along the way which I'd like to show here. I've been thinking about how to help people can get the most possible usable yardage from each pair of jeans. I've found that if you cut the legs off just under the pockets and then cut down the inside of each leg seam, you'll get the maximum amount of fabric. One pant leg cut open looks like this... AND interestingly enough, I've found that if you start tracing circles at the Bottom of the pant leg you will get MORE circles then if you start tracing at the top. I don't know why but somehow I'm maximizing the length better by starting at the bottom! As far as cutting out the circles, I've been going back and forth between using use a cardboard template for tracing the circles or using the Olfa circle cutter. OR There are advantages to both and I'm trying to decide which one to recommend or to just talk about both. I don't want to make things too complicated though... I think the biggest challenge about this quilt is actually making the circles. I've been doing a LOT of research and it's surprising but there are no really good ways to cut accurate circles. Anyway, back to the drawing board (literally)! Heather

These 15 Easy Quilts for Beginners are a great place to start if you've always wanted to try quilting but worried it would be too hard!

From fabric selection to piecing, our Beginning Quilting Series will guide you through the process step-by-step.

My husband had a stack of old jeans that were just taking up space so I decided to make them into a quilt.

I just adore homemade gifts and what's more practical and useful than a quilt! So today I'm featuring Rachel's' tutorial that she submitted on how to make this gorgeous rag quilt. It comes complete with a free tutorial and pictured instructions. Rag Quilt First I figured out how big I wanted my quilt to be and went from there. I decided to make my squares 13 and a half inches x 13 and a half inches big. (I wanted a HUGE-un-gous quilt...and man I got one!) Just to be safe I got 6 yards of material for each. Ya I

Learn how to make these Amazing Potato Chip blocks with scraps to create a beautiful scrappy quilt. Free Printable Tutorial Download!

I want to give you some tips that I have found actually make my work faster. I’m not going to give you advice that tells you to prewind bobbins or “organize your workspace”. I…

Adorable Rag Quilt Secrets! Make an easy flannel filled rag quilt with ruffled borders and no batting. Ruffled Rag Quilt Borders are fun & easy!

Oh So Cozy Flannel Rag Quilt Tutorial Finished size 48” x 54” This flannel rag quilt is cozy, but not too bulky. It has one laye...

With a rag quilt, you want your seams to show! After washing and drying, the exposed seams gently fray or ‘rag,' producing a very soft and cuddly feel – perfect for babies. Our design features unique scalloped outer edges.

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With a rag quilt, you want your seams to show! After washing and drying, the exposed seams gently fray or ‘rag,' producing a very soft and cuddly feel – perfect for babies. Our design features unique scalloped outer edges.

Hi friends! Today I have a really special (long) post for you! Today I want to share a quilt that took me two years and about 85 hours to...

I love figuring out and making tricky quilts but sometimes I just want to not use my brain and sew! This is a super quick and easy quilt, a great scrap buster…and you can make it with very little brain power. If you’ve never made a quilt before this pattern is a great...Read More

With a rag quilt, you want your seams to show! After washing and drying, the exposed seams gently fray or ‘rag,' producing a very soft and cuddly feel – perfect for babies. Our design features unique scalloped outer edges.

Want to make a quilt from baby clothes to preserve those special keepsake items that have so many memores? Here's how you do it - with loads of inspiration!

Are you new to machine quilting? You may have made tied quilts for a while and now want to explore machine quilting. I’ve seen a lot of advice given for how to machine quilt but I think mos…

Find 57 easy and useful DIY denim craft ideas using your old jeans.

My husband had a stack of old jeans that were just taking up space so I decided to make them into a quilt.