Ragtime Strip Quilt Tutorial

YARDAGE

Main Fabric (back and 1 or 2 front strips) approx. 2 yds.
Other fabric-3 or 4 different-1/4 to 1/2 yds.
Minky chenille-1/4 yd for each strip
Warm and Natural cotton batting (or similar)

For front-cut 7 strips-6 1/2" x 30".
Cut 2 strips 6 1/2" x width of the fabric (at least 40").
I usually use Minky Chenille for 2 or 3 of the strips. It is so soft!

For back of quilt, cut 7 strips-6 1/2" by 30" and
2 strips 6 1/2" by width of fabric (40" or more)

Cut 7 strips of Warm & Natural Batting (or similar) 5 1/2" x 29"
Cut 2 strips-5 1/2" by 39"

Sandwich batting between individual front and back strips-pin in place.


Sew shorter strips matching wrong (or back) sides together-
use a generous 1/2" seam allowance.

For easier sewing-make sure Minky is on the underside of the
seam to be sewn(it feeds through your machine better)

When all 7 strips are sewn together-measure bottom and top edges. With that measurement, cut the 4 longer strips (front and back) to fit each edge. Cut batting 1" shorter than that measurement to fit between strips-batting will be 1/2" shorter on each end. Pin long strips (front-back-and batting) together. Sew long strips to each edge-wrong (back) sides together.
Sew around all four outer edges of the quilt---1/2" in from the edge.

Clip seams on both sides of stitching where the short strips
meet the long edge seam-this will make the next step-QUILTING- easier.

I like to use machine quilting thread for the quilting-more durable and looks great.

Hopefully your machine has a darning foot with free motion capabilities. Check your machine's manual for directions. Attach the darning foot-lower the feed dog and start quilting. Practice first if you've never done it before. Just remember-
it doesn't have to be perfect-This is a Ragtime Quilt after all!

Large loops and squiggles work great-I don't take the time for little intricate patterns.
Quilt each strip to keep the batting in place and give it that quilted look.
Make sure to get close to the seams in a few places so the
batting doesn't bunch with use.

Clip all seams and around the outer edges-approx. every 1/2".
Snip to within 1/8" of the seam (stitching).
Fiskars makes a spring-loaded pair of scissors specifically for rag quilts if you find that your scissors are not sharp enough and you get cramps in your hands.
These scissors work great but are not necessary.
After you clip-wash and dry quilt 2-3 times. Be prepared for lots of "fuzzies"!
Shake quilt between dryings. Your quilt will continue to "shed" for a while.

You are done. Enjoy your quilt!