Sewing/Needlework

» mds - How to start a crazy quilt

Ahhhh... you beat me to it I am writing a second article with reasons for piecing and sewing by hand, and when it's not really a good idea.

Crazy quilts are typically (and I stress typically, because there is always someone doing things differently, and thank God for them) made with a stabilizing foundation fabric. Sometimes the foundation was paper, but often it's plain muslin that's used.

You lay the two pieces of crazy quilt fabric -- say, a satin and a velvet -- right sides together over the foundation piece. Then you sew all three layers together, press open (finger press if ironing is not feasable), and continue on in the same fashion.

Obviously it's do-able, because there are many crazy quilts from times past that show the maker's brilliant handiwork. But it is difficult to sew through thick fabrics, especially three layers of them. So for this type I'd recommend a sewing machine if you have it... if not, you can give it a shot, but if it's troublesome you might not complete your project.

Have you tried Jinny Beyer's site for hand piecing ideas and patterns? You can get lost over there for hours

Here are a few ideas for you though, right off the top of my head:

1) See if you can find a "cheater" fabric that looks like a pieced crazy quilt. Lynette Jenson from Thimbleberries had one recently that's divine, in rich colours. Then just do your embroidery stitching over that. You may want to use an interfacing of your choosing on the back to make the fabric a little stiffer for your stitches, and the sewing will go smoother for you.

2) Stitch a different quilt pattern, such as a Lone Star or another diamond pattern, that's fun to hand piece. Add your embroidery over top of the seams (a la crazy quilting) to complete.

Feel free to get in touch if you have further questions

~ Michelle Dompierre Southern

-- posted by mds