In the crafting community we all love and admire Tim Holtz and I just couldn’t stay away from his fabric line. So today I am sharing a rag quilt I created using his Eclectic Elements fabric line.
I’m not an expert in sewing, but if you have a sewing machine and you can sew a straight line then go ahead. It’s easier than you think, rag quilts are very forgiving and they look awesome at the end. My rag quilt measures about 86×56 inches and consists of 12×7 squares. The squares were about 9×9 before sewing. I sew the blocks together leaving 1/2″ seam allowance, so what you see are 8×8 blocks not counting the seams. That seam allowance is creating the frays at the end and makes it look fluffy.
There are plenty of tutorials out there on how to create your own rag quilt. Rag quilts are traditionally made with flannel on top and bottom. You can add any type of batting in between based on your preferences, even flannel or nothing at all for a lighter result. I used batting in the middle and cotton fabric at the top. So I made sure to use flannel at the bottom to ensure fluffiness of the seams at the end. I also made sure that my batting was smaller than my fabric blocks by one inch. That ensures that when you sew two blocks together with 1/2″ seam allowance you don’t have to mess with the batting showing through.
The blocks:
My blocks were made using layer cakes and jelly rolls. A layer cake consists of 10×10 inch squares. I cut a 10×10 in half to have two 5×10 pieces and then sew on each long side of those a strip from my jelly roll. That ends up in two 9×10 inch blocks so I had to cut off an inch from one side to make 9×9 squares.
I guess the following graph can help you out more to understand what I am trying to say.
What I’ve learned along the way:
Make sure to get the pair of scissors that I recommend below, makes a huge difference and you don’t end up hurting your wrist when cutting all the frays. If you don’t already have a rotary cutter, a ruler and a self-healing cutting mat you might want to consider getting one because they really make the process fast and easy. Oh and Joann.com has all rotary cutters 40% off..
When you finish your quilt take it outside and give it a good shake. Then wash it with cold water and put it in the dryer. Once in a while open the dryer to clean the lint trap filter. You will be surprised of how fluffy it gets once dry! Best thing? The more you wash it the fluffier it gets.
Supplies:
(visit blog for full list if you are reading on your email)
Want to see another rag quilt I finished months ago for my DD? This is flannel top and bottom with batting in between. It’s so soft and adorable, she just loves it!
And want to see what I have planned to do for my DS? His rag quilt is still unfinished, I just did the cutting… and not even all of it. If you want to see a how-to video tutorial on how I’ll do this let me know in the comments, so I can film as I am moving along.
By the way, I am finally back home from holidays and that means I’ll be posting regularly. So stay tuned as I am working on an art journal how-to video for you after huge demand!
Until then, BE CREATIVE!
this quilt is absolutely amazing. thanks so much for sharing your creativity and showcasing these fabrics in such a cool way… -tim
Wow Vicky, you are so talented. This is just beautiful!
A lady after my own heart. Don’t you love quilting. And a rag quilt is the most easiest simplest to make. But they bring so much love to the recipient. I have made all my girls, grand daughter and grandson one too. On top of many others I have made for them too.
Good job Vicky and glad to see you back. Hope you had a wonderful vacation.
I would love to see a video of your rag quilt making…They all look amazing. I have a pattern for one in the shape of teddy bear, dog and cat but have never gotten around to making it.. You might have just inspired me to dig it out…thanks and can’t wait to see the new card and art journal videos.
Beautiful quilt! As easy as it looks I’m sure it wasn’t and it still looks time consuming! Love the one you made for your daughter!
Love that Tim Holtz fabric line and love your rag quilt! You did a great job. I’ve made quit a few rag quilts using homespun and flannels. I’d like to make another using 100% smooth cotton. Thanks for sharing and congrats on a wonderful finish!
TIM HOLTZ FABRIC???????!!!!! I’m going shopping…
Wow, this is beautiful! You are so incredibly talented! I would love to see a video tutorial from you! Thank you for sharing.
You. are. amazing! I am in awe of your quilt creations, Vicky! xoxo
Dear Vicky,
Thanks so much for sharing and inspiering. Your quilt looks so great, just fantastic!
Big hug
Bili
You are amazing and so creative. Such a wonderful quilt!
Looking forward to your art journal and each and every card-tutorial! Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful quilt- love it! I have never gotten up the nerve to try quilting but you have inspired me to give it a try. I”d love to see a tutorial as you make your son’s quilt. Thanks1
I love your quilt ! Thank you for ALL of your amazing projects that you share. Love all that you do.
I love your quilts! So nice to see another side of your creative talent displayed, especially since I just rediscovered quilting.
I’m going to have to try making a rag quilt! I definitely would appreciate a how to video! Thanks
So happy you have returned! I think I have missed you most! 🙂
Your rag quilts are just beautiful. I have been sewing for many years but I have never attempted a quilt. I’m not sure why?? I would LOVE to see a tutorial when you are ready to piece together your son’s quilt.
I can’t wait to see your next art journal video!! I love all of your work and really enjoy everything you share. Thank you so much for sharing all of your beautiful work. You have inspired me in more ways than you know!
Have a great weekend!
Merilee
I love your quilts and I would love to see a step by step process! Thanks so much for sharing.
Oh Vicky your rag quilt is just fabulous WOW you did a fantastic job with it and I so love the fabric and how you chose to embellish each square you truly did make so many outstanding choices. I love your quilt. I also love the cutie of a quilt you made for your daughter it’s outstanding too…..now have fun creating your son’s quilt….I know it takes lots of time and patience to create a huge quilt as I’ve made one but oh it’s so worth it….and girl you should be so proud of yourself these are truly suburb creations. YOU so ROCK!!
LOVELY QUILT! I want one…lol. You did an amazing job!
Absolutely Beautiful rag quilts!
Your quilts look great! I would love it if you did a video tutorial. I hope you do!
Love the rag quilt! Made a couple of them many years ago and after seeing yours with the Tim Holtz fabric…well, I’m off to the quilt store! Thanks for sharing your amazing talent with all of us!
So did you use the fat quarters, or did you buy yards? How much fabric is needed to create that wonderful quilt? Hope you had a great vacation! Glad you are back!
YES, please make a video of rag quilt. You are so talented and I appreciate you sharing your gifts.
Your quilts are lovely and fun! I have a sewing machine but can barely sew a straight line! LOL! Just was never much into it. But it would be fun to see a sewing video!
I would love to see a video tutorial of your quilt making. Your quilts are beautiful and so comfy looking.
Please share a video
Vicky–If you make a video, I will watch it as they are all so engaging, and I always learn something from you. A rag quilt video would be wonderful, and I look forward to the art journal one you’re working on. Welcome back! You have been missed.
A video would be great. I’m just learning how to sew so it’d be very handy.
Looking forward to more cards and journals! Yes, would really like videos on rag quilt!
Awesome job on your quilts Vicky! If you can please make a video of your next project, I’d love to learn how to make one. Thanks!
Oh Vicky!! I’ve been following so I would not miss your art journal pages (which I adore!!)…..so glad I was because this quilt is magnificent!! I love love love to quilt, and I adore Tim’s patterns. I did not know it had been made into a fabric line. It is perfect choice for a rag quilt!! I love the batting you used, it’s always my choice. I am hunting down this fabric right now, I must make one of these! Beautiful job, just beautiful. You will enjoy this for many years to come!! Have a wonderful day,
Melodie
Great to see who made your first comment! Bought 2 sets of fat quarters for my daughter awhile back when Blitsy had them. She has not done anything with them as yet. I love the fabric for your son’s quilt. (Tim is such a sweetie. Earlier this year, we sent him some pictures of some very intricate origami that my daughter did for presents and she had embossed the papers with some of his folders. He sent her an email and told her how good they were.) Yes good scissors are a MUST. I did not discover the ones you show ’til I was almost finished with my 4th quilt and they were flannel on both sides. Can’t wait until you get back to regular posting. You are missed!
TFS! I have never tried to make a. Quilt, but it may be a long cold winter and would love to make a TH one… Is it really as easy as you make in look?
Your quilts are so beautiful!!! I LOVE them all! Please please make a video, if possible, of your next one! Also, there is something I’m not getting right…at the 5×10 layer cake you sew two jelly roll strips at each side each one of 2” width to produce the 9×10 quarter? Or the jelly roll goes also under the layer cake? What did you mean by the 1/2” seam allowance? Can you give us the total amount of products that were needed for the whole quilt? Please excuse my annoying questions, I’m just a newbie at sewing…!
Me again 🙂 I’m wondering………would this work if I used the same fabric (tim holtz line) on the back too, with the cotton batting in between? So it was completely reversible???
Hi Vicky! Love the rag quilts. It would be so wonderful is you would do a how-to video tutorial on how to make a rag quilt. I just found your YouTube channel and subscribed to you. Really enjoyed the “Take Life One Cup At A Time” video. Thanks for all the wonderful info 🙂
We would be extremely happy to see your video on making your son’s quilt!!!
Please teach us some more!!!
Thank you lovely Vicky, you are the reason I make my own cards for all occasion now!
Love your quilts! As a quilter, I am wondering if you are using the left over 1 inch strips for any little projects. And yes, I would love to see a tutorial on any sewing/quilting projects. TFS