Block #7 - Pattern #1
The one question that I am most frequently asked is how I choose the stitches and threads for my crazy quilting projects. I know that there are many who say that crazy quilting has no rules, but for me, I tend to disagree. I have a few guidelines that I adhere to. My objective is not to use a huge variety of techniques, stitches, threads etc in my crazy. In fact, I often repeat a color of thread/ribbon many times in the project I am working on and I keep my color pallet quite contained. My objective is draw people into the crazy quilt; to see each seam treatment as a unit and not to see the quilt as a whole. This is very difficult for me to explain.
Even though I do use silk ribbon, beads buttons etc and my seam treatments are admittedly busy, I am still inspired by the first crazy quilts done in the Victorian era; clean lines, strong motifs and plain fabrics
The following photos are from my collection of antique crazy quilts and are a constant source of inspiration.
Seam that joins #7 to pieces #4, #2 and #5
Threads used:
4mm silk ribbon
Perle #8
Perle #12
Nymo beading thread
Seed beads
Small sequins
Stitches used:
Ruched silk ribbon garland
Lazy daisy with bead
Straight stitch
Beaded sequin
1. Create zigzag shapes along the seam with 4mm silk ribbon and the ruched ribbon garland technique.
Ruched silk ribbon garland - FOOLPROOF CRAZY QUILTING - page 78
2. Add staggered lazy daisy with beads in a Perle #8. Try and use the smallest Milliner's needle you can as we need to add a bead to the end of the lazy daisy.
Lazy daisy with bead - FOOLPROOF CRAZY-QUILT PROJECTS - page 87
3. Next add a few straight stitches between the lazy daisies.
Straight stitch - FOOLPROOF CRAZY QUILTING - page 73
4. Nestle small beaded sequins into the zigs and zags.
Beaded sequins - FOOLPROOF CRAZY QUILTING - page 73
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Seam that joins piece #4 to pieces #1 and #2
Threads used:
Perle #8
Perle #12
Stranded cotton
4mm silk ribbon
Stitches used:
Feather stitch
Lazy daisy with a knot
Fern stitch
Colonial knots
1. With Perle #8 thread create a curved feather stitch along the seam. A curved feather stitch is quite difficult to do - just remember to make a perfect V for each feather stitch.
Feather stitch - FOOLPROOF CRAZY QUILTING - page 73
2. Add another curved feather stitch on piece # 2.
With a 4mm silk ribbon scatter a few leaves along the arms of the feather stitch - these are placed randomly. You have created a rhythm with the feather stitch so these leaves can be nice and random.
These leaves are made up of a lazy daisy and a pistil stitch. Extend the pistil stitch a little further than the end of the lazy daisy.
A pistil stitch is simply a knot which is extended further than where the needle has emerged from the fabric.
Lazy daisy - FOOLPROOF CRAZY QUILTING - page 73
3. Next add a few fern stitches with a Perle #12 along the feather stitch. Then pop a colonial knot in 6 strands of DMC on the end of each fern arm.
Fern stitch - FOOLPROOF CRAZY QUILTING - page 72
Colonial knot - FOOLPROOF CRAZY QUILTING - page 71
Feather stitch seam treatment completed with fern stitches and colonial knots.
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Seam that joins pieces #1 and #2
Threads used:
Nymo beading thread
Small buttons
Seed beads
Stitches used:
Simple beaded button
Beaded tassel
1. Snuggle two buttons together and one further away along the seam. The larger button has five beaded tassels emerging from the holes. The other two buttons are simple beaded buttons.
Take care choosing your buttons - they must be "part" of the block - do NOT allow them to dominate!!!
Beaded tassel - FOOLPROOF CRAZY QUILTING - page 83
Simple beaded button - FOOLPROOF CRAZY QUILTING - page 91
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OOPS!
Apologies for the next step-by-step instructions: I got so carried away with the seam treatment that I forgot to take photos!!!
OOPS!
Seam that joins piece #3 to pieces #1 and #2
Threads used:
7mm silk ribbon
Twisted silk Perle #8
Small beads
Small sequins
Nymo thread
Stitches used:
Free-form flower with beads
Loop stitch with knot or bead
Ribbon stitch
Straight stitch
Lazy daisies
Beaded sequin
1. Following the rule of thirds place two free-form flowers (7mm silk ribbon) onto the seam.
Free-form flower with beads - FOOLPROOF CRAZY QUILTING - page 91
2. Next, add ribbon stitch leaves and loop stitch buds both in 7mm silk ribbon.
Ribbon stitch - FOOLPROOF CRAZY QUILTING - page 77
Loop stitch with knot or bead - FOOLPROOF CRAZY QUILTING - page 76
3. This is where I got carried away and took no photos - I will explain how I completed this seam treatment.
I firstly connected the flowers and buds with straight stitch stems and lazy daisy leaves.
Then I added a third free-form flower in a lighter shade to the first two.
Lastly, I scattered beaded sequins along the stems.
Until next time!
Happy stitching.............................
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