A Sewing Technique that creates frayed edge seams for pillows, rag quilts and other projects.
Learn How to Fray Fabric Edges! This fun sewing ‘how-to’ is easy enough for the beginner seamstress! This sewing technique adds a textured touch, has great visual appeal and is a fun way to add some character to your project!
The book I have and learned this technique from is called Cut, Sew, Quilt as you go. . This book has five different quilt designs and one pillow project. I created a lap quilt using the “Stitch-and-Clip” technique in this book.
This post has affiliate links, and with your qualifying purchase I earn a commission at NO extra cost to you.
Cut, Sew, Quilt as you go (Leisure Arts #3715)
One important thing before you start, fabric needs to remain unwashed!
“Stitch-and-Clip” technique
Materials needed:
- Fabric: 100% cotton fabrics for front and back of project
- Osnaburg: Loosely woven variation of Muslin
- Temporary Basting Spray Adhesive: Optional item to use instead of pinning
- Heavy duty sewing scissors that will cut thru multiple layers of fabrics
Fabric sizes for your sample piece:
Choose a cotton fabric color for the front and back of your mini ‘rag quilts’ sample. You will then cut fabric pieces and Osnaburg to 5X5 inch squares. (5X5 is a good sample size-feel free to make any size squares you want) If you have cotton fabric scraps and unbleached muslin just laying around, you’re ready to get started!
You can also find the fabrics at your local fabric shop; the Osnaburg is usually located in the ‘utility’ fabrics section. (I’ve only used the natural color of Osnaburg, but it also comes in black and white.)
Osnaburg 45” Natural Fabric By The Yard
Heavy Duty Sewing Scissors
The first time I made a rag quilt, I used my regular 8″ sewing scissors. My thumb and hand muscles were so sore from all the clipping that needs to be done for the rag quilt seams.
I discovered these heavy duty sewing scissors that cut thru the multiple layers of fabric with ease! These scissors have handles that are molded to fit your thumb to give extra surface area on which your thumb can rest. The same is true for the handle where you place your fingers, there is special molding for your fingers to grip onto while cutting, thus giving your hands a much needed break while snipping.
Fiskars 9 Inch Razor-edge Shears (94467097J)
Layering the Fabrics
You will have FOUR squares for the back fabric, FOUR squares for the front fabric and FOUR pieces of Osnaburg.
Pinning layered fabric squares, back sides together:
Sewing the seams:
Sew the ‘rag quilt seams’ with a 1/2″ seam allowance.
After the seams are sewn, you are ready for the fun part of clipping the seams with the heavy duty sewing scissors, this is the MOST important part that aids in the fraying of the fabric edges after wash/dry is complete! Just remember that the seams will show on the front of your sample/rag quilt project.
Now you should have two sets of squares sewn and seams snipped.
Looking at the picture above, you’ll just slide the ‘front side’ on top of the ‘back side’ and pin together.
The next step is to sew these two pieces together to end up with four squares with the middle seams sewn and clipped, your finished seams will look like a ‘+’ (addition symbol or cross) and will be visible on the right/top side of your sample.
You are now ready to clip the last seam you stitched, snip at 1/2″ increments like before. I would suggest stitching around the outside perimeter of your sample piece before washing. You can also bind the outer edges of this sample.
The last step in this process is to wash and dry your project. You will then be able to see what a rag quilt project looks like, and use this fun sample for a wall hanging decor
If you liked this fun fabric tutorial, check out my Batik Fabric Scraps tutorial OR the tutorial to learn the Chenille Technique.
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions about this tutorial, contact: amy@amyssewingstudio.com
See you soon and Happy Simple Sewing to you!
Amy