A common question among both beginner and seasoned rag quilters is, “What seam allowance should I use?” This is my rule of thumb:
• For squares 8 inches or smaller, use a 1/2-inch seam allowance.
• For 9-inch squares, go with a 5/8-inch seam.
• For squares 10 inches or larger, choose a 3/4-inch seam.
While a 1/2-inch seam might seem small at first, keep in mind that once washed and frayed, the seams actually end up around 1 inch wide because they fluff out to 1/2 inch on each side. For this reason, I avoid using 1-inch seams; when finished, they become 2 inches wide, which can overwhelm your design. R
