I will encourage you, I cut out all my squares and am just doing the embroidery. Am doing this although I have not committed myself to Jan (have to see if it turns out O.K. first) but I have to tell you this is so much fun,
Tell yourself the worst is over LOL
hugs
Michelle

are you using a rotary cutter? Wait until you have to snip the squares. Vicki you can always count on me for support!
Bev

well just think how amazing your quilt will be when you are done! & you did it yourself!hugs loralye

Ahhhhh! I didn't want to stress anyone!!!

Hugs Hugs Hugs, Smooches Smooches Smooches! Purrrrrrrrrr purrrrrrrr Purrrrrrrr

Great Job! Keep going.

You have the boring, teduious part done--now , let the fun sewing begin. When you get to the clipping after you have sewed them together, if you are going to do that, be sure to have really really good sharp scissors.

You go girl. You can do it. Now that the cutting is done, the fun can begin. Keep working, You will see that the effort is worth all this fear and aggravation.

I discovered that I like rag quilting a whole lot better than traditional quilting. I may never make another traditional again. I have a pair of special scissors especially for rag quilts. The blades are short and have very fine serrated edges. They're wonderful! Organize your squares and stack them according to rows. Oh, and as you go along, if you're going to snip the seams, snip the vertical seams after you get each row done. When you start putting the rows together, snip the horizontal seam before you put the next row on. Rag quilts go fast. Like rachap said, you've gotten the worst of it already done. Have fun and enjoy the process.

It takes a lot of time to cut out the pieces. I'm piecing a small star quilt that has 464 pieces not including the borders. Thought I would never get all of them cut! I'm now adding borders to make it a bit larger.

I emphathize. The embroidery is instant gratification. The quilt is .... still in a ziplock bag 9 patches are complete). I am working on a fringed flannel ... that is is strewn about the house! You are in good shape girl time to put that 1/4 inch foot on and go for it! I will start tomorrow! LOL

I hope you are using a rotary cutter, mat and ruler. You can cut the fabric so much faster. There is also a ruler that has slots in it to make the cutting of partial strip cuts even faster. You know there is a saying about using the right tool for every job.

Just keep thinking about the look on the face of the child that is going to get your creation - your very own blood, sweat and tears! Remember to sew love in every stitch!
The young man who is the director of the orphanage is just amazed people would do this for his kids!

You're doing great. The cutting does take a bit. Since you are doing a rag quilt you can layer the fabric, probably no more than 4 layers, when cutting with your rotary cutter. Just think how your finished quilt will be cherished and how great you'll feel about your accomplishment. You go girl!!! You can do it!

Hay quilts can take months or you can go like a bat out of Hell and finish in two weeks lol I have done both :):)

Have not tried making a rag quilt yet. But am trying to get started on making a quilt. I made oldest GD one and now I need to make her sister one. So wish me luck. Just haven't decided how I want to make it. Just keep up the good work and as others here have said the hard boring part is done. Now have some fun. Good luck.

I cut a little ...sew a little....Not the speediest way but I enjoy making the quilt much more!

Just keep at it...it will get done...one square in front of the other../ piece by piece!;>)

You can do it! Just one square after another.
The cutting is the worst part. Make sure all your squares are exact in size.
When you stitch across them diagonally don't stitch right into the corners or you'll have to cut it later.
When you start joining the squares together match seam to seam and keep to the same size seam or you'll end up in all sorts of trouble when you start joining rows.
After you have all the squares together and you start making the cuts into the seams, I highly recommend you use a pair of spring loaded snips, it will save you much pain in your hands.

Hang in there kiddo, if I can make one, ANYONE can.
hugs n roses, Meganne

Hey Jan, I've made many a rag quilt, the easiest way to cut the squares is by stacking your fabric on top of each other to the same size squares. Then using the rotary you cut all the same size squares at one time. If you have too many do as many as you can without losing the intergrity of the fabric. Don't stress too much from it. It really should be fun. Take your time, it will go quicker if you do. Rest your weary body and get a fresh start tomorrow. ;)

I wish I knew, I can not quilt to save my life and I have no flat surfaces in my house that I could lay anything out to cut on without having a cat lay on it or a hubby walk on it! I'd love to have nice quilted bags and things like that but I don't see it happening for me. No patience either!
Good luck, Debra