How to make a rag swag garland free tutorial

If you have a large stash of fabric scraps, like I do, then here is a great way to utilize them. I hate throwing scraps away because I feel I might need them for something. A few years ago I discovered a way to salvage them and give them new life by making rag swag garlands. Here is how I make them:








Materials needed: Jute twine and scrap fabrics

















Step 1: Cut your scrap fabrics into 1" x 6-8" strips. I like to use a non-uniform length, so cut them all the same length if you want your garland to look more uniform. Make several piles of the different fabrics in the colors you want in your garland.

Step 2: Cut your jute twine the length you desire and allowing an additional few inches at each end.
Tie a knot in the twine about 4 inches from the end.

Step 3: Grab a strip from the first pile and tie it onto the twine at the knot. Grab a strip from the second pile and do the same next to strip 1. Repeat this until the twine is full of tied strips to the last 4 inches of twine. Tie another knot here to end the garland.

Here are some garlands I have made.

 

Example using multiple fabrics.

 

For an additional spin on the garland try tying the fabric onto Christmas light strands instead of the jute twine.

 

I hope you have enjoyed my free tutorial!

John Deere Rag Quilt

This is a rag quilt I completed in May of 2013. It was created from a John Deere remnant and leftover squares from my flannel fabric cutting business. (I have piles and piles of excess squares from past orders.) So putting this quilt together was fairly simple.

This first picture shows the diagonal layout I chose for the final sewing. 

 

 The rows sewn....

 

Finished sewing....

 

The backing...

 

 

After clipping, washing, and drying the quilt....here is the final product!

 I loved the colors on the backside. It was very manly looking!

 

 

When it was finished I listed it online to sell. It sold shortly after.

 

 

This Weeks Rag Quilting Project -Day 1

I am currently working on a custom order for a small baby rag quilt and matching pillow.  Today the last of the vintage chenille fabric arrived in the mail, and I have all the fabrics cut tonight. I pre-fringed them using my old Accucut Mark IV die cutter. This was a messy job for sure. I spent about 20 minutes cleaning the loose fuzz off of my work area, but at least I don't have to worry with cutting later.

This is some of the chenille I am using. It is going to be all brown and pink. :)

I am also using minky fabrics that I will blend together with the chenille.

 This is a general layout of the quilt. I plan on changing it some tomorrow before the sewing starts.