Quilty-Louise

Sorry if this topic has been hashed to death, I tried to
do a search for Crazy Quilts and came up with 118 topics
but none of them seem to answer my questions.

What I would like to know has any every made one using
brocades, oriental silks, velvets etc fabric?

Would a foundation fabric be needed when using these
kinds of fabrics?

Are they machine washable? or would it be best to dry clean
only?

What would be a good size to make?

I have been collecting fabrics like this for a few years and
someday I HOPE to make one, but I am scared of ruining
my fabrics.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

dunster

Crazy quilts are often made with the fabrics you mention. A foundation is usually used. Laces, beads, embroidery, etc. are often added. Made from these fabrics they cannot usually be washed by machine. Size is entirely up to you and would depend on what you want to do with the quilt.

amma

As to the washing/cleaning question, it depends on each of the fabrics that you use. If they are all machine washable, and you construct the quilt with this in mind you should be fine.
Stretchy fabrics should probably be backed with interfacing, the same with thinner fabrics or those that easily fray.

Where you may run into issues is if you use washable fabrics, and your embellishments (buttons, other adornments...) hang up on the stitching, or the finish comes off of them. You may want to choose these items carefully. Also, check to see if they are dry cleanable too, if you choose to go that route

You may also want to shorten your stitch length or use a very small, narrow zig zag stitch (this stitch will allow the seams to give a bit more without breaking). These quilts tend to be heavy, and the agitation in a machine may stress the seam lines.
I would also make sure the decorative stitching will hold up to stress too, maybe sew them onto a scrap of fabric and then tug pretty good on the fabric and see if they hold up

ckcowl

you can use all of those fabrics-and more if you want to- they will make a beautiful crazy quilt. as for laundering/care---if you can wash the fabrics individually you can wash them later---gently- most crazy quilts are actually just vacuumed if they become dusty- it would depend on the use- you could have it dry cleaned- but would really want to know the cleaners---items like this have mysteriously disappeared from cleaners---or been ruined- mine i used all of the fabrics you mentioned along with suedes, satins, vietnamese silks...wools- and used alot of silk embroidery flosses- and ribbons- beads and buttons- i washed everything before i used it- anything that did not live through that-did not make it into the quilt- it has been gently washed in cool water a couple times in its life- the back is a satin brocade.
as for the foundation- it sure makes the piecing/embellishing easier when you have a foundation- the foundation keeps everything stable-keeps fraying of edges under control= but it is a choice-not a requirement- i embellished mine in blocks- then joined the blocks- and embellished more-the joining seams- using a muslin foundation- i could just cut a piece of muslin the size i wanted= then start sewing fabric pieces to it- along with antique laces- and trims- and (play) work on that block until i was ready to move on to a different one...some were rectangular- long and narrow- some were square- as i finished each block i would add it to the design wall- some of them hung out for months- sometimes i would spend an hour or more just moving them around- perhaps creating a hole that i would need to fill- giving me the size/shape of the next block- i would send pictures- but gave the quilt to my youngest brother for a wedding gift 12 years ago---the pictures have been gone for a long time---2 or 3 computer's ago==
anyway- don't be afraid of it- once you make that first block- even if you decide to wait until it's a quilt to embellish you will find the process so---enjoyable! i even used stablizer and machine embroidered flowers on some of the silks-they are FABULOUS!!!
maybe you should use some scraps of regular cottons and make a couple (practice blocks) one with foundation- one with out---and see which technique you like better- i will tell you---it is easier to use different shapes (sharp points-odd shapes) with a foundation.
as for what is a good size???that depends on what you want it for- my brother and his wife had just purchased this wonderful overstuffed leather furniture and i decided one to fit over the back of the sofa would be wonderful! and it is!!! i don't think i would have wanted to make it bigger- by then i was quite tired of working on it and ready to move on-but i've made a wool crazy quilt that is queen sized- that one also is extensively embellished- felted wools- no foundations- the felted wool was stable enough on it s own-and i was not mixing fabrics other than adding laces/trims.

Quilty-Louise

Thank you all for the replies this information is going to help me.

kiffie2413

Sounds like you got great advice above! I also love to crazy quilt, and have lots of wonderful books on the subject...most of them I ordered from Amazon, as they have great prices on them! Here are some links to some that I think are really great:
http://www.amazon.com/Crazy-Quilting...2879124&sr=8-4
http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-C...879208&sr=8-15
http://www.amazon.com/Motifs-Crazy-Q...879254&sr=8-18
There are some really great websites, too:
http://cqmagonline.com/
http://www.pintangle.com/journal/month/october-2011
http://www.jdr-be.com/
Good luck to you, and the only other thing I can say is it can be a very addicting hobby, too..
Kif

rtia

Thank you for all the book info, i just ordered 4 books... i have fallen in love with crazy quilts and can not wait to get started. I am currently in a cast after having hand surgery. but Iam getting all kinds of lace,thread colors and fabric ect. together for when I am able to start block..the books you suggested seem to be full of beautiful ideas...
Thanks again,
Rita

Wunder-Mar

My thoughts exactly - but I'll be looking at the other responses as well. My rule is that if one of the fabrics must be dry cleaned, then the whole she-bang needs to be dry cleaned.

Scissor Queen

A lot of trims can't be machine washed so you have to watch them too. I personally wouldn't wash a crazy quilt. Since they're not generally used as bed quilts they don't get really dirty.

sewbeadit

In the old days they used anything they could find and often it was this type of fabric. My opinion I would always use a backing to sew it to. If there are any dry cleanable fabrics in the quilt that is dry clean only I would dry clean it, otherwise you can wash it, but gently. Any size is a good size, I made mine more of a lap quilt size tho. I always wanted to get on to the next one.lol How would you ruin your fabrics? I would dry clean with the list of fabrics you have. Have fun, this is a project using say a 14x14 square or whatever you want and you can make them as you have time, don't have to do it all at once unless you want too. So you could have it sitting in a basket by your chair or couch and watch tv and stitch the fancy stitches on it.