No Quilting Required

As many of you who follow my blog know, I lead a group called Project:Quilt that meets once a month and makes a quilt for a local organization.  For April, the group wanted to learn how to do rag quilts so I came up with a little twist on the traditional rag quilt and thought I would share it with all of you. 

I first used some freezer paper to draft up some simple designs.  I wanted the blocks to end up about 11" square so I drew each shape to size.

The designs were lightly transferred onto a 12" solid square.  The shapes can be cut out of the  freezer paper, ironed onto the fabric and traced with a fabric marker. 

I used the Frixion pens which will disappear with a hot iron but you can also draw lightly with a pencil..






As we wanted the quilt to be light weight as the organization really needed just a quilt for comfort and not for warmth, we decided not to include batting.  Two solids (with the marked design on top) and a flannel backing all cut into 12" squares are stacked and pinned together.

Using a fun contrasting thread, the design was top stitch through all three layers.











Then, being very careful not to cut the second layer fabric, make a slit in the top solid and cut about 1/4" inside the sew line to expose the color underneath. 

With sharp little scissors, "fray" the edges along the sew line.









There are so many designs and color combinations. You can really get creative.



I fell in love with this little house block.

To finish, sew all the blocks together just like you would for any other rag quilt.  The stitching of the design will stabilize the block.

Here it is after being laundered.  I love all the bright colors and fun shapes.

This quilt is being donated to an organization where it will be used in one of the interview rooms where children are being asked difficult questions.   Hopefully it will bring a little comfort to them as they go through the process.

I have used this same process using denim material for the top layer, solids for the second and flannel for the backing.  I cut away stars and kept most of the blocks whole just stitching an X in the block.  It made a great quilt for my nephew.   Of course now that he is nearing 6 feet, I doubt he gets much use out of it.

I will be sharing this project with Quiet Play for Let's Get Acquainted,  Linky Tuesday at Freemotion by the River, and WIP Wednesdays at Esther's Blog, Quiltsy and Freshly Pieced.