You might enjoy one of Judith Baker Montano's books on embroidery if you are planning a well embellished quilt.

I plan to finish a nine-block crazy quilt within the week--it's ready for backing. I would suggest that in addition to the web--where there are marvelous crazy quilt blogs--you invest in a book or two (or at least go to your library and try to find one.) Judith Baker Montano is one of the most well known authors. First you need to learn to make a basic block. Then you can learn the different embellishments or motifs.--embroidery, ribbon embroidery, lace, beading, you name it! Most crazy quilters find several they like and some, like me, ignore the ones, they don't enjoy.

Love the story. I wish I could have known my grandparents better but they died when I was young. One of my grandmothers told about traveling with a covered wagon train, walking most of the way to Missouri, as a young child. My other grandmother made me a dutch doll baby quilt and some hand crocheted purses that fit over the cut off bottom of a Quaker oatmeal box. I had an elderly auntie who passed a couple of years ago who started out share cropping with her husband in southern Arkansas. When I first met her they had no electricity, kerosene lamps, drew water from a well, a wood stove, and an "ice box" (block of ice once a week) She saved all her chicken feathers to make feather beds and pillows. I know she did make all her own quilts, mattress ticking etc., all sewn by hand and very beautiful. She would stack about ten or twelve on top of you in the feather bed on a cold night. I could hardly move enough to roll over in bed, but I was warm!

What wonderful stories.

QM, I am hoping we learn all of this in class. The teacher is so well versed in CQ. I am so looking forward to this adventure!!

I love the look of a Crazy Quilt. I found instructions for a Crazy 9 Patch I've been sitting in the fence about...I'm udecided about that one a a Crazy Quilt Block that I've seen but haven't gotten arudn to finding a tute on yet. I"m trying not to get started on anything new until I finsih the one I'm working on - or atleast until I get it to the LAQ!

What a neat site! I just spent half an hour there and will got back to check out some of their leads.

I love crazy quilts and yes, I'm a crazy quilter. What I love most about the art is the creativity. You create the blocks, the embroidery and embellishments and none else can duplicate your creation.

The one I'm working on right now is various shades of white, ecru, tan, and cream with pale prints. It will be a hexagon table topper for my kitchen table when finished. At the moment I'm still embroidering the seams. The really fun part is adding beads, ribbon flowers, buttons, charms, and jewelry, etc...yes I also add beads and pieces of jewelry. I'm
always on the lookout for interesting things I can add to my crazy quilts. I'm supposed to teach this at a local quilt shop this spring and I need to really get serious and finish it!

I belong to a Yahoo group and get lot's of idea's from them

Are you going to embroider around each piece or use decorative stitches on your machine? How big will your quilt be? Good luck and let us see a pic. You may be the one to start a rage of Crazy Quilt making on the Board. :)

I bought some crazy quilt templates from Jennie Doan and used scrap strips. I must say it was the most fun and easy quilt I've ever done and my DD adores it.

Wow, her site makes me want to make a crazy quilt. Awesome stuff.