Just like painting, sculpture and other works of art, the objective of fancy sewing is to sew something that finishes with a design. Baby rag quilts are a good example of this. Fancy sewing is primarily “decorative” so other people say; fancy sewing is a work of art. Fancy sewing includes techniques such as shirring, smocking, embroidery, or quilting. Let’s have quilting. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get on with your quilting mastery.
 

12 5 FLANNEL FABRIC RAG QUILT SQUARE BABY ANIMALS OUTLINE PINK BROWN NEW
12 5 FLANNEL FABRIC RAG QUILT SQUARE BABY ANIMALS OUTLINE PINK BROWN NEW
$2.69
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Handmade Rag Quilt Ribbons Cotton Lap Baby Shabby Chic Cottage French Country
Handmade Rag Quilt Ribbons Cotton Lap Baby Shabby Chic Cottage French Country
$65.00
End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 19:41:59 PDT
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Handmade Rag Quilt Ribbons Cotton Baby Lap Blue  White Seaside Cottage French
Handmade Rag Quilt Ribbons Cotton Baby Lap Blue White Seaside Cottage French
$65.00
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1 Handmade Rag Quilt Cotton Flannel 33x29 Baby Lap Quilt Snuggly Soft Flannel
1 Handmade Rag Quilt Cotton Flannel 33x29 Baby Lap Quilt Snuggly Soft Flannel
$65.00
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Handmade Baby Rag Quilt 40x34 flannel fabric no batting solid brown on back
Handmade Baby Rag Quilt 40x34 flannel fabric no batting solid brown on back
$39.99
End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 19:46:38 PDT
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Pink and Denim Rag Baby Quilt
Pink and Denim Rag Baby Quilt
$76.99
End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 20:35:04 PDT
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Custom Baby RAG QUILT
Custom Baby RAG QUILT
$50.00
End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 20:38:39 PDT
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Baby GIRL RAG QUILT
Baby GIRL RAG QUILT
$50.00
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Baby GIRL RAG QUILT
Baby GIRL RAG QUILT
$50.00
End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 20:48:00 PDT
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Baby BOY RAG QUILT
Baby BOY RAG QUILT
$50.00
End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 20:51:48 PDT
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Baby BOY RAG QUILT
Baby BOY RAG QUILT
$50.00
End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 20:54:42 PDT
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Rag Quilt Delightful Baby Toddler Sized Quilt 30s Reproduction Prints
Rag Quilt Delightful Baby Toddler Sized Quilt 30s Reproduction Prints
$89.95
End Date: Monday May-21-2012 7:35:17 PDT
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Pink John Deere Rag Quilt Diaper Bag Purse Tulle Bows for Baby Girl Handmade
Pink John Deere Rag Quilt Diaper Bag Purse Tulle Bows for Baby Girl Handmade
$17.99
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2 YARDS FABRIC BABY DUCKS  DEEP BLUE SEA GREAT FOR RAG QUILT
2 YARDS FABRIC BABY DUCKS DEEP BLUE SEA GREAT FOR RAG QUILT
$0.99
End Date: Monday May-21-2012 9:28:23 PDT
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CUTE RAGGEDY ANN AND ANDY RAG quilt blanket baby toddler
CUTE RAGGEDY ANN AND ANDY RAG quilt blanket baby toddler
$34.95
End Date: Monday May-21-2012 10:06:52 PDT
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Rag Quilt EMBROIDERED STICK PONIES Baby Toddler
Rag Quilt EMBROIDERED STICK PONIES Baby Toddler
$29.95
End Date: Monday May-21-2012 11:20:53 PDT
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Quilt Rag Adorable Playful Frogs Baby
Quilt Rag Adorable Playful Frogs Baby
$29.95
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MINI RAG TAG QUILT BABY SECURITY RIBBON TAG BLANKET
MINI RAG TAG QUILT BABY SECURITY RIBBON TAG BLANKET
$2.99
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ADORABLE LITTLE MERMAID BABY SECURITY RAG QUILT HANDMADE 31 X 31 INCHES
ADORABLE LITTLE MERMAID BABY SECURITY RAG QUILT HANDMADE 31 X 31 INCHES
$19.99
End Date: Monday May-21-2012 13:05:23 PDT
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New baby crib quilt John Deere tractor farm logo green rag blanket
New baby crib quilt John Deere tractor farm logo green rag blanket
$35.99
End Date: Monday May-21-2012 13:06:35 PDT
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POPULAR MICKEY MOUSE BABY SECURITY RAG QUILT HANDMADE 31 X 31 INCHES
POPULAR MICKEY MOUSE BABY SECURITY RAG QUILT HANDMADE 31 X 31 INCHES
$19.99
End Date: Monday May-21-2012 13:08:50 PDT
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Farmers Market baby girl rag quilt minkee blanket
Farmers Market baby girl rag quilt minkee blanket
$99.99
End Date: Monday May-21-2012 13:09:09 PDT
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Army Camouflage Teddy Bear Baby Artisan Rag Quilt
Army Camouflage Teddy Bear Baby Artisan Rag Quilt
$86.00
End Date: Monday May-21-2012 14:36:35 PDT
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Music In Black  Whie Baby Artisan Rag Quilt
Music In Black Whie Baby Artisan Rag Quilt
$69.00
End Date: Monday May-21-2012 14:37:06 PDT
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Preparing the fabric:

First of all the fabric needs to be wash and dried, then it needs to be preshrunk. In dealing with cotton fabrics, trim the selvages and press the fabric before any cutting comes to mind.

Making templates:

In quilting baby rag quilts, making a template means making some sort of design, or a pattern, though not all the pieces in quilting requires a pattern, but other pieces may need to be patterned. One must understand that if we are going to join the fabric of baby rag quilts using the machine, trace on the outside solid line, referred as the “cutting” line. If we are going to piece through hand, then trace on the inside broken line or the “stitching” line. Be sure to label all the templates, where connects where, and what connects what.

-Machine piecing:

When we are going to piece using the sewing machine, what has marked by the pencil again are the cutting lines, thus we cut on these marked lines.

-Hand piecing:

In hand piecing baby rag quilts, the pencil lines are the seam lines. We sew on these lines; we don’t cut through these lines ok? As always, seam lines in every form of sewing needs to have a little allowance. It is advisable to have left at least 3/4" between marked lines, and an additional 1/4" seam allowance for every pieces we cut, don’t forget to mark the match points on each piece as always.

Patching up:

After knowing how to make basic templates for either machine or hand piecing, I think we are ready for patching up the pieces! Again, there are two ways: hand piecing and machine piecing.

-Hand Piecing:

If we are going to hand piece baby rag quilts, first place the two patches of fabric together, both fabrics with right sides facing (not facing each other) make use of pins to hold the pieces securely in place while not yet stitched, then adjust the pins together with the alignment of fabric as the stitching progresses. Note that sewing sharp corners in hand piecing, one must always start at the match point and finish at that very same match point.

-Machine Piecing:

In patching up through sewing machine, things could be easier, or a bit trickier. Of course, as mentioned earlier, we need to place the fabric together, make sure the fabrics are all facing right, right; as in the opposite of left and start stitching up. Set the stitches at 12 to 15 per inch for you not to bother yourself anymore with locking the seam. Then make use of the presser foot to make that 1/4” seam allowance, if you’re not quite sure about this allowance before using the presser foot measure the allowance, and put a masking tape on the area representing that allowance.

These are just the basic stuffs for what can be a very good and productive hobby. You can try this hobby out, and the tailor in you just might awake from its sleep. Whether you choose to make baby rag quilts or anything else, good luck.