Has anyone made a rag quilt?

[hotcoconuts82]

I know there are some crafty mamas in our group, so hopefully someone can answer my question.  I'm making dd a rag quilt for her birthday using mostly flannel and a little minky.  Do I prewash the fabric or not?  The more I read online, the more conflicting answers I get.  I'm reading "never prewash flannel for a rag quilt!  The fabric will shrink too much"  and "absolutely prewash!  You'll clog the washer if you don't!"

[Starbuck128]

I haven't made a rag quilt, but I would be concerned about how much the flannel will shrink vs the minky. Flannel shrinks by about 10% and minky isn't going to shrink. I would be worried that the finished project would look weird if the flannel wasn't preshrunk, unless that is the look you are supposed to go for with a rag quilt.

[tomatopie]

i have some flannel that I've already pre washed and I'm going to try to make some sort of blanket/quit/mat out of it. Not using any minky, tho.

[Ee]

Since you're using different types of fabric together, I'd definitely prewash because otherwise it's going to get all wonky the first time you wash it because the different fabrics will all shrink differently.

[Poppy]

What do rag quilts look like?
This?

[hotcoconuts82]

Jan 27, 2015 14:04:11 GMT -5 Poppy said:

What do rag quilts look like?
This?

Yes

[hotcoconuts82]

Thanks for the advice. I've decided to pre wash. Wish me luck!

[stargazerlily]

Be sure to post a photo of it! I might have to see about trying this

[beebe918]

I've made several rag quilts with both flannel and minky and have never prewashed. I did not have an issue other then some pilling which I always have. This is my most recent one after 2 washings (post sewing) and a go around with a lint roller. I cut the edges and washed it once more after this pic.