Block 1 - Pattern #2 - seam treatment 5

 

Seam that joins pieces #1 and #3

Pattern #2

                                                      Stitches used:
                                                             Loop stitch
                                                         Beaded button technique
                                                               Beaded grapes
                                                              Single bead stitch

                                                         Threads used:
                                                       Nymo beading thread
                                             Organza or silk ribbon - 13mm wide
                                                            Buttons
                                                         Small beads
                                            
                                                 

 Let's talk buttons!

Disclaimer - this is my personal opinion regarding buttons in relation to my style of crazy quilting.

We all love buttons and most probably have jars of them in our sewing room/space. However, that does not mean we have to try and use all of them on our crazy quilt projects.
They are powerful little things, and like a middle child, they seem to demand our attention. For this reason I am a little afraid of them and use them sparingly. But, don't get me wrong, I also have a love affair with them.

I try to ensure that the buttons I use are neutral to the palette of my project. 


1. Once again, using the rule of thirds, position your first button (the pressure point of this seam) in the top third or bottom third of the seam.
A button with a shank is useful at this stage of creating our button cluster; as we can snuggle our next few buttons under this first button. This will make the footprint of the button cluster smaller.
Its best to end off the thread of each button before stitching down the next to eliminate the puckering of the fabric.

Button cluster - FOOLPROOF CRAZY QUILTING - page 90

2. Snuggle the 2nd button under the first.

3. Continue until you have the desired amount of buttons for your button cluster - less is more!

4. A naked buttonhole is my least favorite thing about a button - so pop a bead or two into the buttons and begin adding some softening with a few loop stitches in a 13mm organza ribbon or silk ribbon will do. For those of you who do not have ribbon simply use all 6 strands of standard cotton to form the loop stitches - you may have to add  a few more loops than I have.

Simple beaded button - FOOLPROOF CRAZY QUILTING - page 91
Single bead button - FOOLPROOF CRAZY QUILTING - page 90
Loop stitch -  FOOLPROOF CRAZY QUILTING - page 76
                       FOOLPROOF CRAZY QUILT PROJECTS - page 88

5. To soften the edges of the button cluster further add a few beads.

Beaded grapes - FOOLPROOF CRAZY QUILTING - page 82

6. Next to ensure that the button cluster does not appear to "float" I have added a few beads meandering away. I am not sure of these beads at this stage but I will wait until the block is complete before adding or subtracting them.

Single bead stitch - FOOLPROOF CRAZY QUILTING - page 84

There you go, another seam down!


Teaching allows to see so many people's beautiful work. One of the things about crazy that I ABSOLUTELY love it that it is totally unique to the maker. As you will see from the photos below, everyone has used the same stitches but because we have our stitch "fingerprint" each one is different. Also, obviously,  the threads that have been used are different too.


Lee G

Ana

Helen White

Linda C

There are few more for me to share but thought I would do that with the next post.

Till next time
Jenny C
XX