Transform Your Rag Quilt with an EASY Border Now!
Tricks for Fluffy Rag Quilt Borders
You’ve poured your heart into a beautiful rag quilt, but when you get to the edge, it just falls flat—limp, thin, and missing that plush, fluffy finish. Well, that all ends today. I’m going to share my game-changing tricks for rag quilt borders with a modern no-batting method. This transformation will give your rag quilt borders the professional, fluffy finish you’ve been dreaming of.
Adding a border to your rag quilt can enhance its appearance and give it a finished look with a fabulous, frayed edge. I’ll show you how to easily add a simple border to your rag quilt that will completely change the look of your finished quilt.
This tutorial will guide you through the process of creating a beautiful, layered border for your rag quilt. With these easy-to-follow steps, you can add a fluffy, frayed-edge border to your quilt in no time.
Discover the secrets of creating a stunning rag quilt with a simple border that will stand out from the rest. This tutorial is perfect for anyone looking to add a special finishing touch to their rag quilt. Get ready to take your quilting skills to the next level and create a beautiful rag quilt with a simple, fluffy border.
Rag Quilting Materials and Tools Overview
Before we start, grab your fabrics and quilting supplies. You may choose to use only a few different 100% quilting cotton fabrics in your quilt, or add many different fabrics for a scrappier look as I did in my rag quilt. This tutorial uses 100% Quilting Cotton for a GREAT fluffy edge finish. Keep in mind that using cotton flannel will get an even softer frayed edge. A simple compromise would be to use flannel as your middle layer both in the rag quilt and the border. You choose which works best for you!
- Basic Sewing Machine
- Schmetz Non-Stick Quilting Needles Size #12
- Quick Change Rotary Cutter
- OLFA Cutting Mat
- Quilting Ruler
- Rag Quilt Clippers are spring-loaded and will save your hands!
Now, let’s get started!
Enroll Now @ 40% OFF
Time is Limited at this Low Price!
Whether you’re an experienced quilter looking for a new technique or beginning quilter just getting started, you will love how easy these Ruffled Rag Quilt Borders are to make!
My Fluffy Rag Quilt Border Tricks
The No-Batting Fluff Secret
This trick affects the entire quilt. A common frustration is that batting can be bulky or stiff. Particularly the polyester batting which can be course and scratchy. The solution is the no-batting method. Simply use three layers of 100% quilting cotton throughout your quilt. Adding a middle layer of cotton flannel contributes to the fraying, making your seams and border thicker and fluffier.
The “Build It First” Rag Quilt Border Method
Attaching a layered border to a large, heavy quilt can be a challenge to manage. The solution is the “Build It First” method. Meaning that you construct the entire border as a separate, complete strip first.
Begin by measuring each side of your quilt and adding it together for a total length of border required for all four sides. You will need to cut enough strips for each of your border’s three layers. Plus you will add about an extra 12-inches to the total length to allow for where the borders cross each other in the corners.
This way you can attach the finished border to the main body of your quilt in one go. This is far more manageable and results in a cleaner finish.
How to Assemble a Simple Rag Quilt Border
With your long, layered strips of continuous border aligned, you will sew a center seam from one end to the other. Be sure the right side of the top and bottom layers are facing outward with the middle layer placed between them. This center seam will secure the layers keeping them from slipping as you complete the border strip.
With your border strip facing right side up, begin sewing along the right side of the border at least 1/2-inch from the edge. Th[s will become your quilt’s outer edge.
The Pro-Finish Reinforcement Stitching: A Simple Staystitch
A common rag quilt problem is that a clipped raw edge can fray uncontrollably. The solution is to add staystitching to the outer edge of the border. Before clipping, sew a second straight stitch along the right sided of your border strip, about 1/2-inch in from the raw edge. You may sew directly over the previous stitching or slightly to the inside of the previous border edge seam. This second line of stitching acts as an additional barrier reinforcing the outer edges by locking all layers together for incredible durability. It also gives you a consistent margin when you clip close to the stitch line.
How to Clip a Rag Quilt Border
Lots Of Clipping Results in A Beautiful Rag Quilt
Now that your rag quilt is sewn together, it’s time to clip the seams to create those wonderful, frayed edges. Clip every seam ¼” to ½” apart & ¼” deep, being careful not to cut through any seams. Should you snip a seam, simply slide that seam under your presser and resew a couple inches to keep everything in place.
Download your Free Rag Quilting Tips Printable.
While this tutorial focuses on rag quilt borders, you may find complete step-by-step instructions for clipping both your quilt and borders at How To Make A Flannel Rag Quilt. Additionally, the above Free PDF Printable is a great reference for clipping your rag quilts.
Clipping your rag quilt and border separately eliminates managing the excessive weight of all that fabric as you clip those seams. Before adding a border to your rag quilt, clip the entire quilt top along each seam except for the outer edge. Then clip the outer edge of the entire border strip. Once clipped, these two pieces may be joined easily along the unclipped edges. Then you will clip that seam for a great finish!
Washing and Finishing Your Bordered Rag Quilt
Now for the magic. A rag quilt isn’t finished until it’s washed and dried. Wash your quilt for the first time on a gentle cycle. I always add a bath towel with the quilt to help keep it balanced in the washing machine. Be prepared—the quilt will release a massive amount of lint. So running an extra rinse cycle will help release any loose threads that are still hanging on. When removing your quilt, step outside and give it a good shake. Not to worry about the flying threads that may appear as the birds will love using it as nesting material!
When you put your quilt and towel in the dryer, use low heat and clean your lint trap at least once during the first 10-20 minutes. This eliminates too much lint in the filter all at once. As the quilt tumbles dry, the clipped edges will bloom into that beautiful, fluffy, frayed texture we love! When it comes out of the dryer, cut off any long threads that may have knotted together. Generally if the clipping is consistent, there will be very little trimming required.
Now It’s Your Turn!
And here it is! No more flat, limp edges around you beautiful new rag quilt! Instead you’ll be admiring a gorgeous, fluffy, professional-looking rag quilt border. Each of these tricks adds a layer of quality and beauty to your work.
I Made a Christmas RAG Quilt in A Day – See the Crazy Results!
Here is a detailed step-by-step tutorial for making your rag quilt, How to Make a Christmas Rag Quilt…in A Hurry shown below.
Which of these tricks are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments below. Thank you so much for sewing with me today!
Want to Learn More About Rag Quilts?
Be sure to sign up for my Free Rag Quilt eCourse. I’ll send you a daily email for a week that outlines everything you need to know about rag quilting. It’s a great way to learn some new & helpful rag quilt tips & techniques!
Happy Quilting, Lea Louise
