JustAbitCrazy

With all the buzz about these new rulers, it got me thinking: I have several sets of Marti Michell's templates---which make distinct shapes and blocks, and are a dream to use (corners are precut off, etc.). Couldn't those be used in the same way?

KalamaQuilts

If they make a pattern formed into a block, why not. I think what basically makes a block crazy is different fabrics for each piece.
Lay out four or five pieces of fabric, lay the whole ruler on it, and cut out each piece. Then mix up the fabric so there aren't any the same on each block. Eeh? Hope that makes more sense when you read it I'd love to see a couple blocks made up, it is an interesting idea.

Shelbie

I have some of Marti Michell’s templates and yes they can. You’ll just have to experiment and flip through some of her booklets that go with the sets again. I also have the 6.5” and 12.5” crazy quilt template sets put out by Shar Jorgensen in the late 1980’s (first acrylic templates I ever bought) that look remarkedly like this new set of rulers. Her set had more pieces for the block but worked so well for scraps.

Macybaby

I think the rulers are a bit silly if you are actually making a crazy quilt and want lots of variety, however I've seen some pieced quilts that are made using them that turn out really neat. So it's all about cutting pieces that will fit back together.

feline fanatic

I agree with Macybaby. Why not try your hand at crumb quilt blocks which don't use any rulers and not much precutting of shapes either. You simply stitch odd sized scraps together and then trim them to block size. I don't worry about bias edges or any of that with crumb quilts. There are several examples posted here on the board and also on the net. I put 6 crumb blocks into this quilt. I sewed odd sized scraps together until I could trim down to a 6 1/2" square.
Batik block swap quilt

Iceblossom

I first got into these quick crazy quilts from the "stack the deck" books by Karla Alexander. She teaches you to design your own template. You can draw up a master or with her technique you can free cut the basic shapes so long as you keep the set of fabric (deck) together for that series of cuts.

I love parchment paper I get from the dollar store. It is 1'x25', sturdy enough to hold up, thin enough to easily see through, the 1 foot size is better than typing paper, and you can even sew through it for paper piecing or quilting designs. In the last 10 years my big go-to sewing notions are parchment paper and blue tape! (Blue tape I use on the quilting frame to hold my backings on and in about another 100 different ways throughout the year)

https://www.amazon.com/Stack-Deck-Cr.../dp/1564774341
and
https://www.amazon.com/New-Cuts-Quil...BXVZ88AXVYSVK6

There are others but I don't have them yet.

petthefabric

When I do scrappy/crumb blocks, often there's a spot that's not big enough. So, I've been using a paper foundation cut to the unfinished size of the block. When it's covered, time to trim and remove papers.

janjanq

I just got the Creative Grids Crazy quilt rulers yesterday. I also have a couple of dozen of the Marti Michell templates. Before ordering the Creative Grids rulers I played around with the Marti Michel rulers to see if I could come up with a combination similar to the CGCQ rulers. Couldn't quite do it. However i don't order the CGCC rulers for a traditional Crazy Quilt look. I want a more of a controlled design look. (Don't know how to word it). I want to choose four fabrics and cut about four pieces of each shape in each color and then sewing together using one of each color in each block in a coordinated way. Also thinking of buying some Stonehenge fabrics in grays and beiges and constructing a quilt to look like slate flooring. I'm thinking of sewing narrow sashing around each shape to resemble grouting. Not sure that would work or be worth the effort. Another idea I have is to use the templates to cut pieces using scraps after completing each quilt project and sewing into blocks. When I have an idea to use the blocks for whatever (bags, placemats, table runners etc) I have the blocks ready to go. And definitely plan on trying some of the many decorative stitches on my machine to quilt them.

Jordan

I was already to order the Creative Grid Crazy quilt templates and was trying to decide between the 6" and the 8" size and then I read everyone's comments and now I am rethinking the idea. I have some Marti Michell templates and maybe I should just consider them. I also have a 5 sided template that I helped my cousin make some crazy quilt blocks so now I may save some money after reading all the feed back on the CGCQ rulers. What to do?????

Onebyone

I use the Creative Grids Crazy four piece set as I spent too much time getting mixed up pieces to fit to have a crazy quilt. I wanted a scrappy pattern look, not a crazy pattern look. I have the Marti Michell templates but use them for other patterns. I don't mind buying a ruler to fit the pattern. I keep the ruler with the pattern so I don't have to go look for it.