Crazy quilt
 

Has anyone made a crazy quilt ? I am interested in making one . Can you mix velvets and cottons ? Should you use different type fabrics together like wool or corduro ? I have no ideal but love the look of them. Do you do all hand stitching ? :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

I haven't made one yet but have "researched" them. From what I gather, you can use just about any fabric. What I would watch out for is the purpose of your quilt and if the materials are washable. There are washable wools and rayon velvets. I am in the process of making a quilt now that didn't start out to be a crazy quilt, but now has elements of appliqué', crazy quilting, stupendous stitching and anything else you could possibly think of!
Oh this all sounded so familiar to me I just ran down to my quilting room and found MY book: Crazy Shortcut Quilts by Marguerita McManus and Sarah Raffuse. Duh, me!
It says, "If you want to use silk, lawns, laces, sheers and other delicate fabrics, we suggest you learn how to best stabilize that fabric and do some practice sewing... and "Heavy-weigth fabrics like wools, velvets, corduroy, etc. may stretch more than cottons and may also need a lightweight stabilizer to make them manageable during the cutting and piecing stage..."
It also mentions that you should think about the use of your quilt; will it be washed a lot and if so, maybe cottons would be better is the jest of it.
No matter what material you use, I think it will be fabulous and fun. Go for it!

I have just started learning to embroider and came across the most fantastic website that I know you will love if you are going to be a crazy quilter. Please check out Sharon B's blog. http://www.pintangle.com/

Velvet is not a good choice for a quilt that you intend to wash. Most velvet is a dry clean only fabric... and never looks the same if you do wash it. Velvet does not like to be pressed!

Historically, crazy quilts were meant soley for decorative purposes. They were made with scraps of silk, velvet, wool, etc. Many times when a fancy dress or jacket was no longer wearable, the fabrics from the garment were used for crazy quilts, table mats, etc. The scraps were usually sewn to a muslin backing (no batting) and scraps were added willy-nilly to the muslin as they became available. Thus, the name "Crazy Quilt". There was no set pattern to follow. They were usually embellished with beautiful hand embroidery using silk floss. So, if you are looking to make a purely decorative piece, use whatever fabrics you like or have. If you are going to use this as a utilitarian quilt, you need to use washable fabrics etc. Sorry to have taken up so much space, just thought you might like to have some of the history. Good Luck!

You can use fancy machine stitches along with or instead of hand embroidery.

I have made a couple of crazy quilts, out of silk, with fancy hand embroidery stitches. It was fun, but after two I think I am all crazied out. They were both lap size. I sold one and am giving the second one to my sister, who has a formal "parlor" in her house.

I would still like to make a cotton crazy quilt, without embroidery.

sorry, velvets are made from cotton (velveteen), rayon or silk....all these fabrics are washable... i wash my silk shirts ALL the time... dry cleaning is a huge boondoggle and they wash way more of your clothes than you think.... suits, fine, coats, fine, but crazy quilt? wash when necessary, which is not often, anyway... I put all my quilts into a dryer now and then to get rid of the dust before it gets into the middle of the quilt... ...and besides, rarely is there a fabric that cannot be washed if it is washed before sewing... if it does all of its shrinking and pulling and twisting before you cut and sew it, it will be fine... and the velvet will not be pressed after it is sewn and embroidered... if you need to press during construction, then turn face down, onto another pcs of velvet, or thick towel, steam from a half inch above, touching very lightly, the steam will do the work, do not squish... then turn over while hot and rub lightly, gently... with dry towel to bring up a nap...

I LOVE crazy quilting and have made many-mostly small ones though. My avatar is a 24x24 wall hanging that I made with needle turn applique in the center. You can use ALL fabrics. If it is stretchy at all (velours) it is best to back the fabric pieces before cutting them out with an iron on stabilizer (light weight). I can't think of the name of it now, but it looks like gauze fabric. I've done all hand work on my pieces.

I made one and it was the most fun. There really are no rules and it looks so great. Go for it, its just so much fun, use a decorative stitch on top and I sewed onto muslim, just gave it body.

I made a few just love them I made them out of cotton scraps,velvet and even used jeansfabric from old pants to make one i wash them and all.I embroider things with the machine and fit it in with whatever.

crazy quilts
 

i've made a few crazy quilts- visit (evening star designs) for some inspiration- and lots on information-
the first one i made i mixed many many textiles- used velvet (and there are different types of velvets---cotton velvet washes up nicely-wools, silks, satins, laces, corduroys, upholstry fabs---what ever (worked) at the moment- it is a Beautiful quilt- was a gift for my youngest Brother's wedding- they keep it draped over an overstuffed leather love seat- it's held up well for over 10 years now- lots of embellishing, embroidery, beads, charms, crystals---- a try crazy quilt-
i made one that the center section is a crazy quilt- mostly silks, bamboo's, cottons, again- lots of embellishments-
i have one that is mostly flannels, corduroys & denims---lots of decorative machine stitching-
and i have a wool one that is my (in the works) crazy quilt- which has wool background squares- with mostly wools, flannels & silks -along with laces & trims- embroidery- embellishements-
crazy quilts are (normally) not quilted- due to all of the embellishements- they were traditionally tied- many are used- gently- mine have held up well- were made to be used- my sister in law uses her brush attachment- and vacuums hers when it needs it- and has spot cleaned it a couple times.
there are many beautiful functional crazy quilts out there- once you start looking you will be 'blown away!'
first pic is my flannel/corduroy/denim crazy quilt-second pic a detail shot- third pic the one made from silks, bamboos, batiks, ... i don't have pics of the other one- or of my in the works blocks- but i should snap pics of those- they are soo cute

I think that you can use whatever you want in a crazy quilt--silks, wools, velvet, velveteen, lighter weight upholstery fabric, layer organza on it, fancy machine stitching on top of the seems, lace, Rickrack, ribbons. For a bed quilt, you would want a,l washable material, but for a throw or wall quilt, do whatever moves you. Add whatever buttons or glitter or whatever embellishments you want. At least I hope so--I'm saving all kinds of no traditional quilting fabrics for a crazy quilt.

Thanks so much for the information.I am just in the mood to try something different. I will look for the book on Amazon. Ty

I love the first picture of the flannel crazy quilt.

That is a pretty awesome website Murphy

Val ty fr the ideals. I appreciate everyone responding. And with such good ideals

What a great group of ladies. So, many ideals now. I can't wait to make one.
Thank you all so much.
God's Blessing to all of you

thank you --murphy 1 what a great blog----i am in the process of co-ordinating a groupe to make a wall hanging crazy patch style---love the medalion style one

I have made crazy quilt blocks and love them. I also helped with a crazy quilt for our Senior Center; it was "raffled" off. We did all the blocks by machine; did not add any extra emblishments. just machine embroidery stitches; it came out beautiful!
I would think that anything would go for a wall hanger or quilt that was for display only.

One thing you might want to do is to make a pillow first. I made two and they are really pretty in my living room. This will give you a chance to try several different fabrics together and see how they work, and also to practice different stitches. It is time-consuming, so you might not be as overwhelmed if you start small.

Crazy Quilting is my passion. I love it, and was lucky enough to get to take a class from Judith Montano. Here is a web site you might want to check out eveningstar designs, or just type in crazy quilting and you will be surprised at all the wonderful places you can go.

Pintangle is one of my fav's!! I'm doing her TAST ---Teach a stitch Tuesday. Every Tuesday she's teaching a new one to learn. It's great. If you want to learn basic crazy quilting go on over to Stitchmap. Be patient sometimes (most of) the time the classes fill fast...but you can get on the waiting list. They remind me a lot of this group! Very supportive and very helpful. I'm sure there's probably other members on this list too!!

Thank you so much for the site. You are so correct when you say it is a fantastic site for crazy quilting. I enjoyed viewing the entire site so much.