Let’s talk rag quilt layers. What you put into your blocks makes a difference to the feel, weight and appearance of your finished quilt.
Here are three combinations and my thoughts on each.
🌸 Flannel/flannel/flannel
Flannel feels soft and cosy, and it rags beautifully. However, it also attracts lint and loose threads, has a tendency to pill and can lose that lovely new look after sometimes only one wash. These are the reasons I don’t use flannel on the outside of my quilts.
🌸 Cotton/flannel/cotton
This is my go to combination. Cotton on the outside gives me the finish I like, while the flannel middle adds softness and fullness to the ragged seams.
The drawback? Finding a flannel that matches! The middle layer shows in the ragging, so its colour matters if you want your seams to be one colour.
🌸 Cotton/cotton/cotton
If I can’t find a matching flannel, I use three layers of cotton. It keeps the colour consistent through the seams, and cotton can produce beautiful ragging too.
The result depends on the fabric. A more open weave generally blooms more freely, while a tightly woven cotton gives a more restrained fray. Three layers of cotton can also feel firmer initially than a combination with flannel in the middle.
Whatever combination you choose, prewash all your fabrics before cutting. And remember, flannel isn’t essential for lovely, fluffy seams. ❤️
R x
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