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: 12/29/2007 Subject: Sewing the X
Question Hi there - First let me say that I have learned so much from reading your previous responses. I haved never quilted before (let alone use a sewing machine!!) so I am just starting to attempt my first rag quilt. I have all of my squares and batting cut out - homespun cotton fabric with cotton blend batting. Now I am ready to make the sandwich. When I sew the X, do I go ALL the way from corner to corner?? When the rows are later sewn together, couldn't the X thread be accidently cut when the ragging is being cut? I'm a bit confused on this process. Thanks for any help you can offer, and thanks for everything that I have learned from you already!
Answer Hi, sorry it's taken me so long to answer your question. I just got back from vacation.
I personally go all the way from corner to corner. Yes, the thread does get snipped when you clip your quilt, but the seams running down the rows keep the thread in place. If you don't want to go all the way, you don't have to. You just need to make sure you backstitch at the start and end of your Xs. That way, even if you don't catch your sandwich seam in the bigger seams when sewing your quilt all together, the sandwich seam won't come out.
So, to review. You don't have to sew all the way, but you do have to backstitch at the start and end of your X stitches if you don't. Thanks for the question and good luck with the quilt!
