Cotton Batting Option for Your Rag Quilts
Use traditional batting in rag quilts if you like, but follow our slightly different instructions. I recommend you use cotton batting, and make sure it's a batting that doesn't require close quilting stitches.- Cut batting pieces smaller than the top and backing pieces. For example, our 10-inch squares finish at 9-inches since we're using a 1/2" seam allowance on each side of each piece. Cut batting pieces that are about 8-1/2" square and center the batting between your top and backing.
The extra half-inch we're shaving off the square gives you a little more flexibility when centering the batting -- you don't want it to end up within the seam allowance, where it can disappear after many washings.
- Secure each sandwich with straight pins and machine sew a diagonal seam from one corner of the square to the opposite corner, backstitching at the corners of cotton batting.
The "X" shape isn't mandatory -- it's simply a quick and easy shape to quilt, and other shapes can be used. Avoid placing too many quilting stitches within the seam allowances, because those areas should be as stitch-free as possible to encourage fraying.
