FREE Shaggy, Raggy, Quilt Pattern

Materials:

• Fabric

• Batting

• Marking pen or pencil

• Scissors and/or rotary cutter

• Rotary cutting mat to use with rotary cutter

• Sewing machine

• Thread

• Pins

Instructions:

Choose at least two fabric choices. Either purchase fabric in your desired patterns or use fabric scraps. I have seen this type of quilt done in fleece or flannel. Even regular 100 percent cotton fabric can be used to make this rag quilt. Blue jean material –either yardage or old blue jeans cut into squares can be used alone or mix and matched with other fabrics. Don’t hold back-use your imagination and have fun creating a cozy blanket. For baby blanket size:

• Cut 50 each 9 ½ inch squares of fabric

• Cut 25 each 8 inch squares of batting

Note: Batting need not be used. If using fleece, batting can be left out-the blanket will be nice and soft without. And if using mostly blue jean material, you might find the quilt is too heavy after adding batting. But the choice is yours.

Batting: there are different types to choose from: high loft, low loft, poly-fil and cotton. Use whatever you prefer, or whichever batting type gives you the results you are looking for.

Make a sandwich using two fabric squares and one batting square. The batting is in the middle with the fabric is placed wrong sides together. Pin this square together.

Using a fabric marking pencil or pen mark an X across your quilt block. Use a ruler to make sure to get straight lines from corner to corner. Before marking the quilt block, test your marking tool on a fabric scrap to make sure it doesn’t bleed and it washes out.

Sew along the lines drawn on the square marking the X.

Continue making blocks in this manner until you have enough for your quilt.

Assembling the squares:

Lay out the squares in whatever pattern you choose. For the baby blanket I alternated one solid square with one stripped square, and laid them out five across and five down.

Sew the blocks together in rows. Start by sewing two blocks together with a ½ inch seam. There will be a raw edge-this will be the top of your quilt. Attach another block to the first two- always using a ½ inch seam, and always making sure the raw ½ inch edge is on the same side. Continue until all the blocks are joined in rows.

Next sew the rows together-using a ½ inch seam. Make sure the raw edge of the long row seam is on the same side as the raw edges from the block joining. Where the seams meet, fold one seam allowance one way and the other the opposite way-this eliminates some of the ‘bulk” where all the seams meet. Continue until all the rows have been connected.

Stitch a ½ inch seam around the entire quilt- these edges will also be raw. Make sure your finished quilt has one raw edge side and one smooth side.

Using a pair of scissors- you can use a rotary cutter if you are not afraid of accidentally cutting in too far. Personally-I am afraid of “slipping.” Snip along all raw edges about a half an inch apart-be careful not to cut into your stitching.

Make a label for your quilt and attach-See my article this month called: Label It! For labeling suggestions.

Wash your quilt. You are done! Watch the raw edges fray and soften.

This is a fun and easy quilt to make. Don’t forget to take a picture for your album-and enjoy.
 

-Lynn H. Castille

 Lynn H. Castille is a freelance writer with a passion for quilts –but not a lot of extra time. She has been sewing for thirty years and hosts a monthly group for other quilting enthused ladies like herself. Lynn hopes to share their fun and ideas with her readers and help make quilting fun and simple for anyone with a passion for quilts.