09/17/2025
Whatās Inside Your Rag Quilt? BATTING vs. FLANNEL
Lately, I've been asked if there is batting in the center of my rag quilts. The answer is always no - I only use flannel, cut to the same size as my main blocks. Both batting and flannel can be used in rag quilts, but they behave very differently, and over time Iāve found flannel to be the clear winner for my style.
BATTING...
Batting can absolutely work in rag quilts. It comes in different thicknesses, adds weight, and creates a nice puff in the blocks. After washing, the stitching has that charming, old-fashioned quilted look with the batting puffing up around it.
But hereās why itās not quite right for me: batting doesnāt rag, so each piece has to be cut smaller than the blocks and carefully centered to avoid getting sewn into the seams. It also requires stitching through every block to keep it from sagging or bunching over time. And the biggest drawback, in my opinion? Since it isnāt exposed in the seams, it canāt add any fluff or color to those signature frayed edges. This, for me, feels like a huge missed opportunity in rag quilting.
FLANNEL...
Flannel, on the other hand, fits exactly what I want in a rag quilt. Itās cut the same size as the blocksāno fiddly trimming or centering requiredāand it stays in place without extra stitching. Most importantly, flannel does rag. When those cut edges fray, the extra flannel layers add fullness and color right in the seams, creating that wonderful soft, fluffy texture. On top of that, flannel gives the quilt warmth and softness without being overly heavy, which makes it perfect year-round.
Of course, what you put in the middle isnāt the only thing that shapes a rag quilt. Seam length, how closely you snip, and fabric choices all make a difference too. But when it comes to the inside layer, flannel is the choice that gives me the look and feel I love most.
