I've noticed the "in" thing now is to put crystals on the fronts and sometimes on the backs of quilts. Not that I do it, but I've seen the artists of many of the winning show quilts are doing this. I assume they're the iron-on crystals? Although I think they've beautiful, how well would these crystals hold up to actual quilt use as in on a bed or couch etc? I'm thinking not very well. Anyone use them and what do you think about the trend in general?

never used them but keepsake has a kit of a christmas tree that you can also buy sworski crystals to add to it. Maybe on a hanging or such. but do not think I would use them on a quilt. my opinion

I don't know if they would be functional on a quilt that is going to be used, but a lot of them are put on show quilts.

I put them on a wall hanging I did. Only did it once--got very boring after a while. I used glue because I won't wash this one. Wouldn't use them on a quilt that was on a bed--my dog wouldn't appreciate that LOL.

Most of those are hot fix crystals, they stay on pretty well. I don't think I would like them on the back of a quilt, where it could touch the skin :D:D:D

Putting them on the back does put the spotlight on them at shows, but at home maybe one would reverse them on the wall every now and again.

I would think they'd be very scratchy and wouldn't work as utility quilts at all. I remember seeing they're very expensive too.

I think they are for "art" quilts. I've seen some beautiful quilts using crystals at the shows. Mostly for display, I think.

I've got shirts with crystals on them, and they are washed more than a quilt would be. They are holding up just fine.

My quilting guild did a raffle quilt this year that was Christmas trees. I quilted it with lines on the trees, and one of the other girls added crystals along the lines as Christmas lights. It turned out very cute!

my granddaughter's "Ashley's Ocean" quilt has crystals on the front of it...they were the hot-fix crystals and they are in some ...ocean bubbles...it is beautiful...the quilt was made for her 12th birthday...she is 14 now, it has traveled all over the country (military dad) she takes it everywhere, sleeps with it always, drags it to sleep-overs ect. it is a very used quilt...has a curly minkee back on it too...
and not a single crystal has fallen off. :thumbup:
i don't put them on many things though, only when i really think they will add something really special to the quilt. in the 5 years i have had the (tool) i've put them on 3. and only a few here & there.

The best of show here in jacksonvilles quiltfest in sept. it was covered with crystals.

Where does everyone buy their crystals?

I wouldn't add them until after the quilt is quilted. My mom is a long arm quilter. She says they are "one more thing to go around". I like the little bling they add.

I've seen lots of quilts with crystals on them, and I agree it's getting more common, but I personally do not like them. I've seen a couple of quilts where the crystals looked like a good idea and not an afterthought, but in general I think people just get bling-happy.

http://www.cheriscrystals.com/exhibits_awards.html

(Disappointing that they don't have close-ups of the quilts.):roll:

I think Cherri & Linda are the duo with most-est crystals on their collaborative, award winning quilts. They're known for their bling (along with AMAZING quilting by Linda).

I don't think any of those quilts end up as snuggle/bed quilts. ;)

They also the sell the crystals.
http://www.cheriscrystals.com/store/index.php?cPath=15

NAYY.

For me, it would be a whole "new" craft (supplies, tools, etc.), and I'm just mentally tapped out right now.

And the quilts I make usually end up on a bed so it's not very practical.

That said, when it's done right, it's gorgeous.

But just slapping a couple crystals on to have crystals....not so much.

The hot fix crystals hold up great on T-shirts and sweatshirts, so they'd probably be fine on a quilt. I don't think I'd ever use them on a "for everyday use" quilt, but would use them on wallhangings.

I would only use the best crystals made to be adhered to fabric. They are not inexpensive. The ones I like the best are very tiny, you can hardly feel them, they aren't glittery or blingy just the right amount of sparkle. I'm making a BOM starting in Jan. that has a small star made from crystals in every block. I'm adding the crystals when all the blocks are sewn into a quilt.

I would imagine if heat adhered crystals are being used, then the thread for the quilt should be cotton only (maybe rayon) as poly would melt.

One very famous longarm-quilter here in Germany, Claudia Pfeil, uses lots of crystals for her quilts and she spends a lot of money for it. As far as I know her quilts are not for use, only for display on quilt shows and she absolutely hits the trend with that - I don't know how many ribbons she won in the last years!
For my quilts I would never use crystals. Their style is very traditional and I want to keep that.

Maybe I should add crystals to my soldier's quilt. Sure to brighten any containerized housing unit.

I like add-ons for wallhangings but my boy dog would gnaw on anything he could get a bite on. Definitely not practical.

I would use them on a wallhanging or possibly if I was making a showpiece quilt. I would never use them on a quilt that I actually expect to spend time on a bed (or a couch for that matter). I can't imagine the scratchy crystals would make me want to snuggle under a quilt. Just my HO.

I can see using them for girl's quilts for sure! I know that alot of young girls/teens like alot of bling and I'll do anything to get the young ones interested in doing things by hand rather than searching the net for everything :D

Here's what that Christmas Trees raffle quilt looked like with the crystals.

That's really cute!

I recently did a wall hanging designed by Castilla Cotton that is penguins getting Christmas lights ready to hang. Snowflakes are falling in the background.

The pattern called for hot fix crystals for some of the snowflakes, and I decided to give it a whirl. Turned out really cute, the crystals do add a lot. I also used them for the little penguin eyes.

While I probably wouldn't put them on a quilt, I'd use them on a wall hanging again.

I think it would be fine on somethings.When I'm finished with whatever I'm making i don't want to fool with it any more.

I have been selling the hotfix crystals for about 5 years now. Some around here just LOVE them on everything....but when I see them on a quilt, not an art quilt, but regular quilt, all that comes to mind is something that Dolly Parton once said " it takes a whole lot of money to look this trashy"!

I have used them on quilted jackets, tote bags and even ornaments, but NOT on one of my quilts!

I have about 4K of them in my house right now!

i m all for thiz. crystal heeling and quiltz = max powerz. i use mixmedi in my artquiltz all the the timez. Don b a hater +respect the artiz in ever quilter.

I personally wouldn't put crystals on my quilts, but then all mine are made to be used and hugged. If I was doing a wall hanging, perhaps, but only if it were the perfect thing. Then again, I'm not an art quilter. I like manipulating fabric as it's own medium.

i used crystals on Ashley's Ocean quilt in key location...like bubbles coming up. the quilt is a queen size quilt, was a gift to a 12 year old, who is now 14...the quilt has been used LOTS, has traveled in the van all over the country (military family) has been washed many times...and not a single crystal has fallen off...it is still a beautiful quilt :thumbup:
there are not thousands of crystals on it... only between 50-75...just enough...and they hold up well...the glue is the same as is used an decorated jeans and the such

Everyone is entitled to their opinions. And because one's opinion is different than yours, doesn't mean they're a "hater". Different strokes for different folks...

I think crystals are fine on art quilts, wall quilts, quilted postcards, etc. but not on quilts meant to be used on a bed. They would be all right on purses and bags of all kinds but nothing that would touch your skin for long periods of time. Just my opinion...no quilts police here.

I used hem on my hand embroidered Snowman wall ahnging yhe are great the crystals are called hot fix they are alot of fun for wall hanging not for everyday quilts and such

lynn

opps I guess i need to turn the light on to type sorry :oops:

I don't think I would use them on a quilt that would be used because I think they would be scratchy.

I have used them on wall hangings though, and I love the added sparkle. They also look great on clothing.

I have never tried them.

I know this was originally posted sometime back, but I love the look of the crystals on the quilts. They are easy to apply and see to hold up through washings. I dry mine in no heat so I don't know if putting them in the dryer hurts them or not.

I'd like to know how they are affixed to quilts. I don't think I'd do it personally. Mainly because I have added beads to quilts before. It's very tedious to work with something tiny. Plus it could get $$$!

The Best of Show at the Shipshewana Quilt Festival was a beautiful traditional-type quilt that had crystals on it. I thought it was gorgeous and the crystal didn't jump in your face like some of the arty quilts do, to me anyway.

I can't imagine putting anything like that one a quilt. But I make my quilts to be used. The ones on the christmas tree above do look nice, though, but that's for a decoration, not a quilt to be used as such.

Claudia Pfeil is one of my favorite show quilters and her quilts are DOUSED in crystals (I think I read 40,000 for a single quilt?) I think the effect is fabulous.

For me, too much money.

For utility quilts- might work for a little girls bed, but I think they are best for shows.

When I buy them in bulk I like beadsfactory.com I find Preciosa to be better priced than Swarvoski and I can't tell the difference. (I haven't used them on quilts though- just skating costumes.)