Rag Quilt Tutorials with Raewyn Stewart

Rag Quilt Tutorials with Raewyn Stewart To join The Caterpillar Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecaterpillarclubnz/

Textile Artist ♡ Rag Quilt Designer ♡ Creator of the Original Inlay Method ♡ Creator of the Caterpillar & Rosette Seam Techniques ♡ Free & Premium Tutorials ♡ Etsy ♡ Blog ♡ Patreon ♡

The short video I posted on August 23 asking if rag quilts are really so forgiving generated a lot of interest. Not so m...
08/09/2026

The short video I posted on August 23 asking if rag quilts are really so forgiving generated a lot of interest. Not so much about the topic itself, but about the quilt featured in the clip. Paua has lots of fans! ❤️

So, I’ve got some exciting news. I’m working on a new version of the Paua design and it’s going to become a tutorial for my Etsy shop.

The original Paua (Abalone) was named after the beautiful shell, and of course now I need to make another one.

But I can’t decide what colours to use.

So I thought I’d ask you. What colours would you choose for Paua?

R x

08/09/2026

Welcome to my world of non-traditional rag quilts ❤️

A little glimpse at some of the things I do a little differently.
R x

Wondering if the order matters when sewing on the inlay?This is a handy reference and a good one to save if you think yo...
07/09/2026

Wondering if the order matters when sewing on the inlay?

This is a handy reference and a good one to save if you think you may need to refer to it in the future ❤️

Does ripping fabric give you better ragging?When I prepare fabric for my rag quilts, I rip my strips to width and then c...
06/09/2026

Does ripping fabric give you better ragging?

When I prepare fabric for my rag quilts, I rip my strips to width and then cut those strips into squares.

That means every block has two ripped edges and two cut edges.

And that makes it rather easy to compare the results. 😊

The first photo shows one of my blocks before it was assembled into the quilt. The horizontal edges were ripped. The vertical edges were cut.

The second photo shows the finished quilt.

Can you see a difference?

Neither can I 😉

In my experience, good consistent ragging has far more to do with the fabrics you choose and how you prepare and snip your seams than whether the original edge was ripped or cut.
R x

Yesterday’s little distraction after its first wash. ❤️I’m really pleased with the texture and the soft fray around the ...
05/09/2026

Yesterday’s little distraction after its first wash. ❤️

I’m really pleased with the texture and the soft fray around the petals.

You’ll notice the petals underneath the snipped centre haven’t frayed at all. That fabric is polycotton.

All in all, I’m pleased with this little sample. There are enough layers to give the flower plenty of texture and dimension, but not so many that it looks too raised or bulky.

I think there may be a rag quilt featuring these blooms in my future. 😉 R x

I had quite a productive day today. Just not on anything I was supposed to be doing. 😉
04/09/2026

I had quite a productive day today. Just not on anything I was supposed to be doing. 😉

What exactly is an Inlay rag quilt?I’m asked about Inlays a lot, particularly by people who are new to my page, so I tho...
03/09/2026

What exactly is an Inlay rag quilt?

I’m asked about Inlays a lot, particularly by people who are new to my page, so I thought this might be a useful graphic to keep. ❤️

I developed my Inlay method because I wanted more freedom with the fabrics I could use in a rag quilt.

Instead of relying on every fabric in the quilt to rag beautifully, the feature fabric is added to the centre of the block as an Inlay. The base fabrics then create that lovely thick, consistent ragging around it.

It opened up all sorts of possibilities for me. Patterned cottons, embroidered fabrics, vintage fabrics, candlewick and other washable, non stretch fabrics could become the feature without needing to form part of the ragged seam.

My standard combination is an 8 inch block with a 6.5 inch Inlay, and the Inlay is always stitched in place before I add the X stitching.

If you’re interested in trying Inlays at some stage, save this graphic. It has the basic information in one place and is much easier to find again than trying to remember which of my posts you saw it on. 😊

And watch out for more graphics in this series. I’ve designed them as quick references you can save and come back to whenever you need them. R x

Sometimes a comment gives me an idea for a post. 😊I received this comment on one of my quilts and it reminded me just ho...
03/09/2026

Sometimes a comment gives me an idea for a post. 😊

I received this comment on one of my quilts and it reminded me just how often the fluffy seams on my rag quilts are mistaken for a product that has been added afterwards.

There’s no Chenille-It here.

What you’re looking at are simply ragged fabric seams. The photo I added to my reply shows the same quilt during construction, before washing and drying worked their magic.

And believe me, if I was using it, I’d have made a pretty penny from affiliate links by now. 😉😂

Before and after. Same seams. Nothing added. ❤️

R x

02/09/2026

Sometimes a quilt doesn’t need an explanation.

It just needs a little breeze. ❤️

R x

“Cotton fabric, cotton thread.”I know the rule. I just don’t follow it. 😉I’m often asked what thread I use for my rag qu...
01/09/2026

“Cotton fabric, cotton thread.”

I know the rule. I just don’t follow it. 😉

I’m often asked what thread I use for my rag quilts, and my answer is always the same. Gutermann 100% polyester.

I know many quilters were taught that if you’re sewing with cotton fabric, you should use cotton thread. I prefer polyester for rag quilting.

Rag quilts go through quite a workout. There’s the construction itself, all those layers and intersections, followed by washing, drying and then years of use.

Polyester thread is strong and resistant to breaking. It also has a little more give than cotton thread and very little shrinkage, all qualities I appreciate when I’m asking the stitching to hold those layers together through repeated washing and use.

I’ve used Gutermann 100% polyester for years and it’s still the thread I reach for.

Sometimes the old rules are worth questioning. 😊
R x

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