Assemble the Block
Read Rag Quilt General Instructions if this is your first rag quilt.
- Measure your string blocks to find out how large the plain squares should be. My rag units measured 7" x 7", but yours could be different.
- Using your own measurement, cut four squares from each fabric strip reserved for alternates: the front, batting and the backing.
- Arrange the five string blocks in an "X" configuration as shown on page 1. Place the alternate squares between them, stacking fabrics: alternate block fronts on top, right side up; batting below them; backing at the bottom of each stack, right side down.
- Sew the components of each row together, backing sides together and using a 1/2" seam allowance.
- Sew the rows together in the same way. Sew a seam around the entire perimeter of the quilt, 1/2" from its edges.
- Clip all seam allowances about every 1/4", taking care to keep from cutting into seamlines.
As you cut, pay attention to seams that are adjacent to or flow over each other so that you do not cut birth directions and remove chunks of fabric. Save the allowance around the outer edges of the quilt until last.
- If you plan to use the block as-is, wash and dry. Inspect the piece and make additional clips if necessary. Examine the intersections where lots of string pieced elements meet, because you might want to reduce bulk in those areas.
- Wash and dry again to make the quilt more ragged.
If you plan to make additional blocks for a quilt, do not clip and wash until all blocks are sewn together.
