Tag: Quilts

Crazy Quilting

Crazy Quilting may have taken a back seat, but to traditionalists, it still has merit. It uses all kinds of fabrics and was originally done by hand. Today, we use our sewing machines to piece fabric together. One can use leftover scrap cotton fabrics from making quilts. Crazy quilting involves using a five-sided centerpiece and placing fabrics around it before sewing decorative stitching to make a statement.

The original decorative stitching was sewn on by hand using embroidery stitches.

Hand Embroidery Stitches
Sewing Machine Embroidery

Today, we use our decorative stitches on our sewing machine to sew crazy quilts. The key is to use a thread color that is the opposite of the fabric color you are using. As you can see, I did not fully achieve this in the picture above. This was my first attempt at crazy quilting. I have found three methods of piecing together fabric when crazy quilting. The first is the most traditional way of crazy quilting. Start with a 5-sided piece in the center and rotate the piece clockwise. Take a look at the picture below. The center is number one, and cut pieces to match the center and follow the numbering around. This square can be 8 to 9 inches. This depends on the size cut for the first square and so on.

The second method is using quilting templates. Look at the picture below. This template has five pieces and is worked in the order shown: ABCDE. I found working the ABC together first, then DE second, and then sewing the two pieces together diagonally. Noticed that the template below uses 1/4-inch seams.

The third method is the sew and flip. The best way to describe this method is using strips of 2.5-inch fabric placed diagonally on the square muslin backing. One starts with sewing a piece of fabric at the corner of the square. Then the second piece is placed on the top of the first piece with right sides together before they are sewn together. Once sewn together, flip the fabric over before laying down the next piece to sew together. Seams are 1/4 inch. I used a 1/4 inch foot that has an edge plate.

Crazy Quilting using the sew and flip method to make placemats

With all methods of crazy quilting, one has to use a backing to sew on. I used cotton muslin. One can also use flat old bed sheets for the backing to sew on. If you do not use the sew and flip method, you would iron the side you are sewing 1/4 inch under before placing that piece on the edge of the piece you are sewing on. All pieces should have 1/4 inch seam allowance. The sky is the limit when it comes to embellishment of crazy quilting. Make a memory piece into art.

Victorian Crazy Quilt

Using lace, beads, and rick rack can add interest and make a wonderful piece to hang on a wall, or piece it as a centerpiece for a quilt. This is like scrapbooking. Give it a try. Check out the book by Sharon Boggon titled, “The Visual guide to Crazy Quilting Design.”

Quilting Pillows

The joy of quilting pillows is all about color coordination and combination of shapes, sizes, and symmetry. I love to match colors together to display and balance out an image. I don’t always get it right, but for the most part I am satisfied with the outcome. An item should have harmony, similarity, and balance. Just look at the pillows above and you will see a beautiful harmonious balance in shape, color, and form. The key is to place colors opposite of each other to create balance. The pillow below speaks to creating color balance with the middle block being out of balance. Such is the Dr. Who Tardis which can spin out of control in space.

This is a travel pillow I made for my husband. I took an online sewing course to make this pillow. You can make one yourself using 5-inch charm packs or using left over fabric. The travel pillow uses cut 3.5-inch squares to make a pillow size that is 21 inches long by 14.5 inches in height. Give it a go and start cutting out your 3.5-inch squares and lay them out on the table. You can use your own pattern design for the pillow. Just remember to place colors opposite of each other to create balance in your pillow.

Below is another color combination for the travel pillow.

Whatever size cut squares you use will give different results in the total size of the project. You can experiment with different block sizes. Quilted pillows can be made in different square block sizes. Panel, nine patch and object shape pillows such as the heart shape pillow shown below.

Walker Foot Attachment

Quilted pillows have batting underneath the block design before it is quilted on the sewing machine. You do not need a special machine. As long as you are able to add a walker foot attachment to your machine, you can quilt. I have heard instructors say, “it does not matter what machine you use; you can quilt on any machine.” I was able to quilt on my old Singer sewing machine. Below I am sewing up strips of fabric to make a hot pad.

If you decide to make the travel pillow, you will lay out your square cut fabric in the pattern order of rows. Five rows in which you sew together side to side 1/4 inch before you sew the rows together. After you have sewn your squares together in a row, you will press with an iron on the back side having your seams go to the right. Then on the next row, iron your seams to the left before sewing it together on the row above. You can do this for a small block square pillow as well. Ironing the back seams going in opposite ways in each row will keep your top flat and smooth with no lumps. No top stitching on the travel pillow unless you want to practice and try it out. Pick a simple pattern and outline the center squares only.

The next step would be to put on the backing of the pillow. The overlap or envelop pillow back is the simplest way to do this especially if you fear sewing on a zipper. I found this wonderful video that shows you how to do make the envelope pillow backing. Once you got your backing on, it is time to find the insert pillow.

One important thing to consider is the finished pillow size and what size insert to use as well as the different sizes of pillowcases. Just look at the two images below to help you decide what size to buy and use. For the travel pillow I was able to find on Amazon a 15×21 Inch Rectangular Throw Pillow Insert Form.

Passion, Quilts, and Art

Do you have a passion for quilts and art?  Have you ever dreamed about what you wanted to be? As a young child I would pretend to be a teacher, mother, and a vocalist. When we are young, we were told to dream all that we wanted until we reached adulthood. Some of us are told to put our dreams aside for a rainy day, or when we become seniors. Some of us are told,” you can’t make money doing that.” Everyone has a say into what you can and cannot do. What it boils down to is you decide what your passion will be in life.

If you put aside the money aspect of the equation, what are you passionate about?  What gets you excited when you see something and want to be involved in being a part of that something. As a child we play acted to see if we really like being that person. It has nothing to do with money, it is finding out what we enjoy doing. It is called spreading our wings to fly and learn about something new and if it is a good fit. Many times, hobbies can be turned into a business; however, if the business becomes a headache and you are not able to delegate out certain tasks, then you better step back and keep it as a hobby.

A passion develops when you become a part of doing something you enjoy. It fuels your energy and keeps you going. That passion becomes your enthusiasm to share it with others. It is like the song sung by Jimmy Durante, “Make Someone Happy.” Make a difference in someone life. Contribute your passion to provide a niche, a place, a new product, or service. The purpose is to grow in your market and enjoy the process of growing. I am always learning something new and gaining new skills. I like to learn the nuts and bolts of a business so I can better understand what makes it thrive. People will either like it or not. Do not worry about the “or not.” Think about how the art world is still a vital part of our society. There are so many mediums in the art world, and more are added to the list each year.  It’s not just acrylic and oil paintings, but now it is a multitude of mediums used to create something new. Even Quilting has joined the art world.

Who would have thought that Quilting would become an art form? Does quilts have some of the elements of art. Let us list some of the elements.

  • Shape
  • Texture
  • Color
  • Value
  • Form

Yes, making quilts does have the same elements as art. From the drawing board to the actual finished project such as the heart block shown in the picture below.