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Rhonda 12-05-2009 11:29 AM

Here is my version of crazy quilting.

This is a great way to use up scraps or leftovers from other projects.

first gather up lots of differant colors of scraps. I don't like to repeat any color but that is up to you.

Place two scraps face to face and sew together. You can sew along a straight edge or you can angle the seam across the fabrics. The more angles you use the more interesting your finished piece.

Open and iron the seam open. You can iron to the side but if you open the seams you will have less bulk.
Trim the fabric 1/4" from the seam.

When you audition a new piece to add lay it face down on your joined swatches and fold it back so you can make sure it fits and will be where you want it to be. This takes a little practice to see where things will go before you add them. Make sure the added swatch is face down not face up.

The nice thing about this method is I rarely rip a seam. If I did something that was wrong or didn't suit me I just cut off the seam and start over.

OK now add a third swatch to the first two. Iron the seam open and iron the front so everything lays flat. Makes it easier to add more swatches.

Rhonda 12-05-2009 11:32 AM

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Sorry forgot to change the BMP files to JPEG

Rhonda 12-05-2009 11:38 AM

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Ok now open and iron the seam.
Now you can decide if you want to add another swatch or if you want to set this one aside and start another section.

Here I added one more piece to the first section.
Then I made another section.
I added the second section to the long strip I had added to the first section.

Rhonda 12-05-2009 11:54 AM

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When you are working with a haphazard method like this you have to beware of holes that can be created when you join new pieces to the existing piece.

In the first pic (if they load right) is the layout for missing the hole.
In the second one you can see the head of the red pin is in the hole

In the last pic you can see the back side and how the hole looks.

When you lay a swatch across you need to pay attention to where the fabric swatches end. Those can create the holes if you sew a piece across without making sure your swatch is on solid ground! (so to speak)

Avoiding a hole
[ATTACH=CONFIG]54474[/ATTACH]

Front - red pin head shows the hole
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Back- red pin head shows the hole
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Rhonda 12-05-2009 12:23 PM

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ok now on to long pieces

I like to add the strips and then when I add the second strip I lay it and angle it so it comes to a point. I like these points I think they add a lot of interest. Here I did two a pink one and a blue one.

Then I wanted to show a technique I used to use in my hotpads. You can cut the fabric/ add a strip/ and then sew the cut off portion back on again. I think it is a cool effect.

Rhonda 12-05-2009 12:26 PM

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Last two pics of this technique.

I don't use pins in the confusion but I do use them here to keep the added on part in place so it lines back up with where it was cut off.

Rhonda 12-05-2009 12:35 PM

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If you do strip work where you sew strips together and cut them to make things like rail fence or spider web etc you can use the cut off sections as long as they are at least 1 1/2" wide and add them to your confusion work. I use strip work for borders on my hotpads and I keep the cut off parts and use them to do confusion with.


In effect you are making your own fabric. You can keep adding more sections and more strips until you have a piece as large as you want it to be. You could in effect make a whole quilt top this way if you chose. Just keep adding til it is big enough. When you get a piece made that is as large as you want it to be just use a template and cut out the square or triangle or whatever shape you like.

You can use this and cut out appliques for a dog body or cat body / Bells with Christmas fabrics / or what ever you choose to do with it.

Just look at it as any other fabric you have bought and use it accordingly

Here are some of the things I have made with this method

5" x 8" mini quilt
[ATTACH=CONFIG]54826[/ATTACH]

Checkbook cover with embroidery
[ATTACH=CONFIG]54845[/ATTACH]

Rhonda 12-05-2009 01:08 PM

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More

3" Quilt blocks
[ATTACH=CONFIG]55003[/ATTACH]

Rhonda 12-05-2009 01:10 PM

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More

Hotpads
[ATTACH=CONFIG]55168[/ATTACH]

Hotpad
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dakotamaid 12-05-2009 01:11 PM

Thank you for doing that so promptly. I'm thinking pillows for my MOm in law!! : :-D


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