How much fabric do I need for a rag quilt?

Question

I want to make a small rag quilt for my niece. About how much fabric would I need for the top part?

Answer 1

The rag quilts that I've seen are made up of a bunch of squares with the seams exposed and frayed. Each square is made up of three layers of flannel, quilted just over 1/2" from the edge and then with an X through it. The squares are assembled into a quilt by putting them back to back and sewing about 1/2" from the edge to make rows, then sewing the rows together using the same method. On one side the quilt will be smooth, and on the other all of the seams will stick up. Clip the seams every 1/4 to 1/2" and throw it into the washing machine (add a pair of old jeans to really rough it up). Tumble dry, removing the lint occasionally.
To decide how much fabric you need, figure out how big you want the quilt. Then figure out how many blocks you want across and down, and figure out what size they will need to be. Add 1" to the block size (for the seam allowance). Then figure out how many blocks you can cut from a single width of the fabric (figure 42" wide in most cases). Divide the number of blocks you need by the number of blocks you can get from a single width, and you have the number of widths you will need. Multiply the number of widths by the size of your block (plus 1" per block, remember), and that's how much you need of EACH fabric.

For example, for a 36" x 45" quilt, with four blocks across and five blocks down, the blocks will be 9" square, and you will need 20 blocks.
Add 1" for seam allowance, and you need to cut your squares 10".
You can cut 4 blocks from a single width (42 divided by 10 is 4).
You need 20 blocks, so you need 5 widths of fabric (20 blocks divided by 4 blocks in a single width is 5 widths).
You need 50" of fabric (5 widths X 10" cut squares is 50").
A yard of fabric is 36", so you need a minimum of 1 1/2" yards of each fabric (50" divided by 36" is 1.38888 yards, and always cut big).

The first link below has much more complete instructions.

Keep in mind that flannel shrinks substantially (as much as 5%), so buy more than you think you need and pre-wash it a couple of times before starting your project, otherwise you could have a misshapen mess. The second link has suggestions for working with flannel.

Finally, have fun! Flannel is incredibly cozy and will make a fantastic quilt for your niece.

Answer 2

I just use my available scraps. When I run out, then I go to the fabric store.

Answer 3

2 yards or less

Answer 4

depends how big you want to make it. but at least two yards. front side back side. and batting.