Candace

Where does everyone buy their crystals?

maryb119

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.

dunster

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.

MTS

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.

Boscobd

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.

BellaBoo

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.

Candace

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.

Borntohandquilt

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.

pookie ookie

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.

craftyone27

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.