I am in the process of making my first rag quilt can anyone help me with the fraying part ?

Question

I am not sure what kind of scissors use when trimming the rag edge?

Answer 1

Any sharp fabric scissors will do. Keep in mind two things - first, the scissors need to close all the way to the tip (some scissors have a 1/2" gap at tip). Second, you're going to be doing a LOT of cutting, so find a pair that's easy on your hands. Small "nipper" type scissors would work well, especially if you have the spring type ones. They open automatically because of the spring, so you only have to do half the work (closing). It's a lot easier on your hands, especially the back of your thumb.

Also, this creates a lot of lint in your washer and dryer. Some people prefer to do this at a laundromat, rather than muck up their own machines. If you do, be courteous and clean out the gunk when you're done. You can also try running a vacuum over the edges before washing, to get out the really loose stuff. Then wash, but turn it off after it agitates and before it drains and scoop out the loose threads that are floating on the top. Repeat this during the rinse cycle. When you put it in the dryer, clean out the lint trap every five or ten minutes. When it's finish, take a vacuum cleaner to the lint trap to get anything that you missed.

Answer 2

I don't really know much about making "rag quilts" (though I was a quilter), but I can at least suggest one way of making frayed edges that I learned from my quilting days!

You'll notice that if you put (cotton) fabric in the washer and dryer, the edges will naturally begin to fray.... so just drying or washing/drying should start the process or continue it every time you wash-dry (particularly for shorter, smaller, or narrower pieces of fabric... strips should work great).

Otherwise, if you want to fray cotton fabric, *rip* it all the way from one side to the other about where you'd like the frayed ends to end (can start with a small snip if you want). Then the successive rows of individual threads will be easier to pull out along the rip, one or more at a time.

Sorry, if this wasn't even what you were asking!

EDITED LATER to say:
I see now that a "rag quilt" is just a pieced quilt top with the seams on the front side rather than the back... eventually the exposed seams should fray, especially with washing and drying, but I think the Nancy-show method of making the seams extra wide and also snipping them a bit into strips would prob. make that process go even faster.

Diane B.

Answer 3

I've seen this on Sewing with Nancy. You use a wider seam allowance than the standard 1/4." You then "nip" it from the edge almost to the seam allowance about every 1/4" to 1/2" with sharp scissors. Then you wash it and dry it. That will give you the fluff you want. I don't remember if she said every 1/4" or 1/2" so you might try them out at the 1/2" and see if it fluffs enough for your tastes. It also would depend on the weave of the fabric.

Answer 4

I've seen the instructions for these on quilting web sites. Use a straight-edge scissors, not a pinking shears. When you finish assembling the quilt, wash it in your washing machine on gentle (no detergent needed), then put it in the dryer. If the quilt is too large, you may have to use a large capacity machine at a laudramat.

Answer 5

Just a word of caution. When you put the quilt into the washer and dryer to fray it, make sure you check your dryer lint filter frequently, like maybe every 10 mins. You would be amazed at how much lint collects, and you don't want to clog your vents or possibly cause a fire?

Answer 6

I would use pinking shears for the edge.

If you want the quilt to fray, then you should pop it into the dryer and that ought to do the trick.

If you DON"T want fraying, then I recommend purchasing No Fray, which will leave the fabric soft, but, maintain fraying to a minimum.

Good luck!

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Because rag quilts takes a lot of snips for the edges make sure to select a comfortable pair that fits your hand. I like the sniping scissors with springs in them. You can look online at places like JoAnnas or any fabric store near you that is online and see what is available and read reviews, find a pair that fit your needs. Good luck , you can also find easy instructions for making rag quilts on youtube.

Answer 9

I just used small scissors that were easy to use and put it in the washer/dryer.