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!

Progress Report

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday: I accomplished my goal of 4 rows a day. Yesterday-only part of one row and it looks like today I won't get any in-well, it is the Sabbath-day of rest! It is really coming along though. Those 13 (well, almost) rows have really added to the length. I will keep you posted on the progress!

4 Rows a Day

I'm committing myself to 4 rows a day! I started this afgan for baby Cache-3 1/2 weeks ago! I'm only 1/4 to 1/3 finished. At this rate, it will take me all summer to complete. So, I figured it out...if I crochet 4 rows a day, I will finish it by the end of the month! Every white row takes me 20 minutes and every yellow and blue row takes about 15 minutes. Whew, I'm ready for the challenge.

Little Pink Hoodie

I have been doing a bit of knitting lately. This is a little pink hooded sweater that I made for Mallory. It was pretty easy-just a garter stitch. I picked up the pattern at Michael's-it was free! I should have made it one size larger, though because Mallory will be too tall for it in a few months and since it is summer, she won't have much of a chance to wear it. To see photos of her wearing it-click here.

T-Shirt Quilt

Today, my friend Andrea's husband, Brad came home from a 7 month deployment to the Persian Gulf. She wanted to make him a T-Shirt quilt with some of his "memorable" shirts from his running and rowing days in college. We started about 2 months ago, trying to get everything together to make this quilt before he came home. Last night, Andrea came over and we tied it and this morning I was able to finish the edges so it is DONE. Hope you like it, Brad!

The Apron I Received!

This is just to show how cool the back of the apron is-nothing else!

Last week, as I was laying around recovering from some minor surgery, a package arrived from Jennifer Orton, my Sassy Apron Swap partner. She sent me the most lovable apron ever. The fabric is so cheery and the design reminded me of my Grandma (during the 50's). She also sent a matching dishtowel and some cherry preserves (that she canned) from her state of Washington. It was so great. I really think this sharing of the talents thing is wonderful. I am in awe of the many talented women in this world that are keeping the home arts alive. So many are young mothers with practically no time to spare but I know from experience all these projects do something for self-worth. I am proud to be counted with all of you and happy to share my talents as well.

The Sassy Apron Swap Apron-Done

My Sassy Apron Swap partner is into sewing and crafts so I thought I would make her a "pocket" apron to wear as she runs around cutting out patterns, jumps up from the sewing machine to the ironing board, etc. I know I am always looking around for my pins, sewing gauge, or my scissors (let's hope she uses a guard on those!) It was really fun to make-worked up quickly and the pincushion matches. The little "thread and needle" patch was designed by Traci-thank goodness for artists in the family.