AboutAudrey Zohner Expertise I am an expert rag quilter. I have made over 100 rag quilts and would love to assist others with questions and methods. I don't know much about actual quilting like machine or hand quilting or applique. I am, however, the resident expert on rag quilting in my town. If you want to make a rag quilt, I am your woman.
Experience I have been sewing for 12 years and rag quilting for 4. I have experienced just about every pitfall there is in rag quilting. Check out my quilts at audreysragquilts.etsy.com.
Organizations ISU Craft Club
EtsyKids
Education/Credentials High school diploma
Bachelor's in Animal Science
Expert: Audrey Zohner Date: 5/27/2007 Subject: Rag quilt problem
Question My mom is really into making rag quilts. She is making them using strips of flannel. The problem is that when she sews the strips together they shift so much that it's impossible to really have a quilt left over. Is there a trick to sewing or cutting the fabric so that it doesn't shift so much?
Answer Flannel has a tendency to shift and move no matter what you do. When I make rag quilts, I try to cut all of my squares (or strips) in the same direction. Flannel is woven, so each side stretches differently. If you cut all of your strips across the width, then they will be less likely to move, since they all stretch the same.
I would also suggest getting a walking foot. I have used this foot numerous times when making rag quilts to keep layers together. A walking foot has feet that move the top fabric while your sewing machine's feet move the bottom. That way, both fabrics move at the same rate and at the same time. These can be pricey, but they are worth it.
One of the things about flannel that makes it hard to work with is the fact that it stretches more than regular cotton. You can minimize this stretching if you pin it really good. PIN LIKE MAD! I usually pin my flannel every two inches or so when sewing to stop it from moving.
Oh, maybe she could try this: I work with Minkee fabrics and they move like crazy. So what I do is every four or five inches, I make a tiny fold along the edge of the Minkee. This does cause a little pucker in the edge of your seam, but once you cut and wash the quilt, you don't even notice it. Making these little folds along the edge while sewing kept the Minkee from moving and made the two ends meet up.
Hope this helps! Don't be afraid to ask for more help if you need it!
Audrey
