Adding the fun stuff, the ribbons, embroidery stitches, beads...
When you make a crazy patchwork block, you start with a foundation shape and cover it — either by machine or by hand — with many patches of fabric until the backing is no longer showing.
The fun part comes when you start adding seam emellishments
Each seam is embroidered with some stitchery such as herringbone stitch, feather stitch, creton stitch.
You can add twisted ribbons, lace pieces, buttons, beads, sequins, until you have a finished crazy patchwork block.
In the picture you see a vest panel with the stitchery completed.
First steps to a crazy patch block
in this lens
Next steps
Time to 'beautify'
In the previous Beginner's Guide (link above), I showed you how to make the crazy patched foundation.
Now you can learn how to embellish the block.
Now you can learn how to embellish the block.
What you will need
- Your foundation block covered in lovely scrap fabrics
- Embroidery threads
- Silk ribbons
- Beads, buttons, sequins
- Satin ribbons, picot edged ribbons, nylon ribbons
- Lace scraps
- Lace motifs
- Crewel needles about size 8
- Scissors, snips, thimble, finger guard, and pincushion
- Anything else you think you'd like to add to the block
Equipment and supplies
Needles and pins
buy yours from Amazon
Needles stay sharp in this
Buy one now from Amazon
BIG FAT Strawberry Pincushion Pattern
Amazon Price: (as of 05/29/2012)
Keep your pins and needles sharp all the time by sticking them into the emery strawberry.
I can't do without mine!
Beading threads, snips, etcetera
from Amazon
Let's get started
Gather all the beads and threads
Audition things
Place the threads, beads and so on onto the block to see which ones you like with the sewn on scraps.Use the colours in the patches as a guide for your selections, but a little zing happens when you use some unusual combinations of colours in the embellishmens.
I chose a very bright fuschia satin to go with the parches on this collar, and the result was a wonderful surprise.
Yummy 'special' stuff
Put all the bits into one place
Ready to get started
If you have a divided tray or a plastic container with several divisions, use that to keep your selections in, so that they are in easy reach while you work.
Ideal trays/containers
from Amazon
Cover the seams
with stitches
Traditionally, this was done with hand embroidery.
Feather stitch, and its many variations, was used extensively. Herringbone and fly stitch were also very popular.
Choose a thread which picks up the colour from one of the patches in the foundation block, but not the colour of the patches you are sewing on.
This distributes the colour across the block — using good design principles.
Decide on the stitch you are going to use.
Start stitching!
Feather stitch, and its many variations, was used extensively. Herringbone and fly stitch were also very popular.
Choose a thread which picks up the colour from one of the patches in the foundation block, but not the colour of the patches you are sewing on.
This distributes the colour across the block — using good design principles.
Decide on the stitch you are going to use.
Start stitching!
Stitch with your sewing machine
Now that's fast!
With the advent of wonderful embroidery stitches built in to many sewing machines, even the inexpensive machines, you can stitch over the seams with a multitude of new stitch designs.
Choose from the many fabulous new machine embroidery threads that are currently available.
Choose from the many fabulous new machine embroidery threads that are currently available.
Put one of these on your wish list!
But it from Amazon
SINGER Futura CE-250 Computerized Sewing and Embroidery Machine
Amazon Price: $689.99 (as of 05/29/2012)
I used to demonstrate this machine for Singer ® at quilt shows around Australia.
You can embroider, or use the fancy stitches to embellish your crazy patchwork.
It is a complete sewing machine with lots of fancy stitches, and a simple to use embroidery machine for extra pizazz.
The stitches
1: Fly stitch
A starter stitch
How to stitch Fly stitch
If you learn Fly stitch first, then Feather stitch is an easy next step.
You can use embroidery floss, silk ribbon, or DMC Pearl cotton.
You can use embroidery floss, silk ribbon, or DMC Pearl cotton.
- Hold the skein or ball in your lap and draw up to your forehead. Cut at this length. Longer threads cause knotting and tangling.
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Thread a crewel needle about a size 8.
These needles have an eye that will take thicker threads.
For thick threads you may need to use a darning needle or a tapestry needle. - Tie a small rolled knot in the end.
- Bring the needle up from under the block and pull the thread through.
- Put the needle back into the block about ¼ inch away from where it came up.
- Slant the needle so that it will come back up at about half way across the space between wherethe needle came up and where it is going back into the block.
- Make sure that the thread lies underneath the needle's point in order to form a loop, and pull the needle through.
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Take a vertical stitch about ¼ inch away from the loop you just formed.
You can take a shorter stitch to get the first style in the picture. - One beautifully stitched fly.
Fly Stitch examples
2: Feather stitch
It's easy
How to stitch Feather stitch
Once you have mastered Fly stitch, you can quickly graduate to feather stitch
- Follow the steps for fly stitch until step 7
- Instead of taking a vertical stitch, take a slanted stitch like the top of the fly, moving the needle tip away from the first loop about ¼ inch.
- Form the next stitch at the same angle.
- Slant the needle in the opposite direction to make the next couple of loops.
- Continue in this way for the legth of the seam.
Feather Stitch Examples
Some nice books on how to do the stitches
from Amazon
3: French Knots
They are so useful
How do I use French knots
in crazy patchwork?
They are wonderful for sewing on twisted ribbons.
If you use silk ribbon and make 'sloppy' knots, they are good for wisteria blossoms, wattle, any flower trails...
If you use silk ribbon and make 'sloppy' knots, they are good for wisteria blossoms, wattle, any flower trails...
French Knots Examples
French Knots to decorate twisted ribbon
Crazy quilting
on Amazon
4: Herringbone stitch
Herringbone stitch
with cretan stitch and chain stitch between
5: Lazy Daisy stitch
Chain stitch how to
powered by Youtube
Lazy Daisy Chains Examples
Chain stitch buds with buttonhole stitch
6: Cretan stitch
Cretan stitch Examples
More resources for crazy quilting
on Amazon
7. Blanket Stitch
Also called Buttonhole stitch
Blanket stitch variation
up and down across the seam
Buttons and beads
Add some beads
for a bit of bling
Beads add dimension and texture to your crazy quilting.
Use them to make bead trails, to attach twisted ribbons, to embellish herringbone stitch or cretan stitch...
They are simple to apply and look great!
Use them to make bead trails, to attach twisted ribbons, to embellish herringbone stitch or cretan stitch...
They are simple to apply and look great!
How to add beads
powered by Youtube
Ribbon embellishments
Beads and other fancy stuff
examples
Crazy patch fan with beads, ribbon and knots
Get your silk ribbons
from Amazon
There are many other colours and sizes available
Enjoy these 'crazy' links
- Annies Crazy World
- Free mini crazy quilt lessons from Annie Whitsed (my mate)
- I dropped the button box quilt - crazy quilt block
- I dropped the button box crazy quilt
Scroll to see completed crazy quilt
This crazy quilt is actually a Y2K quilt as it has 2001 different bits in it. At the time my definition of 'bits' was either a different fabric, lace, braid, charm, buttons or ribbon. I was a bit short on the number. 200 - Crazy Quilting
- A short history
- Crazy Quilts are new again!
- Eye candy!
Back to the top
Have you made any crazy patchwork yet?
Share it with us
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kiwinana71
Sep 26, 2011 @ 10:02 pm | delete
- Very nice lens, I like it, have not seen patch work done like this.
Will have a try as soon as I can find some spare time.
Thanks for sharing.
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AbigailsCrafts
Jun 12, 2011 @ 8:34 am | delete
- I made my first two blocks this weekend and found it enormous fun. Thanks for the lens, now I have even more ideas!
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wordstock Jan 4, 2011 @ 7:59 am | delete
- Blessed this lens. This is all helpful information, kind of a one stop shop. Thanks
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The-Java-Gal Sep 11, 2010 @ 11:38 pm | delete
- I have wanted to design fabric for a vest, and not being a quilter, I found your step by step directions most helpful, Inspired me to get out my scraps and embroidery threads.
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JanTUB
Sep 12, 2010 @ 1:27 am | delete
- Can I see it when you're finished? I'd love to have a show and tell pic! Thanks for the nice words.
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- Load More
Jan T: patchwork teacher
Rocket Moms Rock
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This So Crafty page written by
JanTUB
I have been quilting for more than a quarter of a century. (Sounds much longer than 25 years.) That's me in my studio in 2006.
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