The description card reads, "Crazy Quilt 1883-1893 Silk, cotton, wool, and linen, pieced and embroidered with silk and cotton threads Crazy quilts, which emerged after 1850, were usually composed of small, irregular-shaped fragments of silk, wool, and other fragments pieced together. The seams were then embroidered using a variety of stitches. They acquired the name “crazy quilts” because of the strong colors and busy, confusing nature of their designs, typical of Victorian taste."

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I've taken a lot of pictures of vintage Crazy Quilts, but not very many modern day interpretations. I was especially happy to see 2 contemporary CQ versions at the Arizona Quilters Guild show. All Creatures Large and Small by Gerlinde Hruzek won First Place in the "Other" category. This artist used so many mediums in the making of her quilt: Needlepoint, embroidery, applique, crochet and ribbon work to name a few. The far away picture just does not give justice to how wonderful this quilt really is. The close up shots give a much better visual. Look at the imagination and variety! Someday I would really like to make a Crazy Quilt. (Maybe it's because I'm a little crazy?) These pictures bring wonderful inspiration. I could have stared for hours to visually absorb all there was to see. It almost felt a little bit like an I-Spy quilt. Do you spy 3 cats? Or a fish? Imagination made and quilted by Sheila Groman Sheila wrote "Imagination is a fanciful Crazy Quilt created with applique, standard and silk embroidery, ribbon, lace, heirloom gloves, needlepoint, crewel, beads, cross-stitch, and tatting." Whew! Yes, I'd say Imagination is a perfect title.

All the blocks are done now on the quilt from last year. The next stage of putting them together will most likely take me awhile, so a few more close-ups and an all-together shot. Will take a better shot soon. Happy Jewel-tone Stitching Phillipa 

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There are so many things about CQ that I love - but one of the aspects I get the most pleasure from is teaching. I teach approximately 45 st...

We have begun our ambitious crazy quilting class with seven lovely and talented ladies. As we mentioned in a previous post, Crazy Quilting—Start to Finish, we have created a six-month crazy quilting class that teaches our students how to piece their blocks, stitch and embellish them, and finally put them together in the format of their choice. Taking photos of the class models for reference All our ladies had been eagerly awaiting this class and were ready to get started. Each student was instructed to bring at least 24 different fabrics, which could include cottons, silks, satins, or any other fabric they liked. We did have some fancy fabrics for sale to help their collection, but some of our ladies had been collecting fabrics over time, just for a future crazy quilt. A rainbow assortment of silks, satins, and velvets Many of these fabrics were sourced from thrift stores. One student's collection Each lady received four different patterns, as well as a fabric Little Red Riding Hood vintage postcard print to use as a center for one of their blocks. Most of the patterns were put together the same way, by having a center piece and then sewing each section around that center piece. We had the ladies bring in four 9" squares of flannel to be used as a base for the block, and Teri demonstrated how to construct the block with the flannel base. The flannel base provides a great support for the future block embroidery, and it also helps manage some of those slippery fabrics. The first piece is centered on the base. The second piece attached. As each piece is added, the excess underneath is trimmed away. Ready for embroidery After the demonstration, the ladies got to it and began constructing their blocks. Getting ready to choose fabrics Going around the center block with the next piece Checking if this fabric is a good fit This block is ready to be trimmed to its finished size. Such beautiful, bright colors We designed the patterns to be 8.5" finished, so having 9" base allowed for a little wiggle room as we pieced. An 8.5" square ruler was used to bring the pieced blocks down to their finished size. Trimmed and ready to go After the block was finished, the ladies basted around all four sides, and their blocks are ready for next month's embroidery session. Some of our students' finished blocks: The silver fabric in this block is a lacy overlay. Most of these fabrics were found at local thrift stores. As an unexpected treat, one of our students brought in some antique crazy quilt blocks that she had purchased. The blocks were in various stages of completion, absolutely beautiful, and she has more of them to bring to the next session. We can't wait to see them, and we will be sure to share them with you as well. Such lovely embroidery This unfinished, basted block is mostly made of silk. Another block a little further along in regard to the stitching Everyone was able to complete one block and will have the other three ready for our February meeting, where we will be focusing on motif selection, transferring design, and stitching the motifs. Thank you for joining us as we build these crazy quilts, and please come back to see the outcome of our next session.

I can finally show you my completed crazy quilt block made for our 2008-2009 guild president. She received her quilt last night. I was so pleased she chose this theme for her quilt. I really enjoy hand embroidery. It was so much fun to see all of our unique styles blended together in a quilt. This quilt is such a treasure!! Guess What? Can You Tell I'm Excited?? Yesterday I woke up to the news that I had won such a beautiful gift from Embellisher at Million Little Stitches. For her 125th post she gave away this amazing heart sampler. I have been following her blog for a long time and always enjoy seeing her creative ideas and little pieces of her life far across the oceans. Thank you so much! I will cherish your gift. My new bolts of fabrics have arrived and are ready to be dyed. Keep an eye on my blog. I plan to pass my good fortune on with a Dye Candy Fabric giveaway in a week or two (once my dye lots are finished and photographed). Have a wonderful rest of your week! Chris

We are sew excited to share our ultimate guide on how to make a crazy quilt! From planning to stitch type, we've got everything you'll need!

Antique Victorian CRAZY QUILT Silk Satin Velvet Embroidery 61 x 53” circa 1880s | eBay

I've taken a lot of pictures of vintage Crazy Quilts, but not very many modern day interpretations. I was especially happy to see 2 contemporary CQ versions at the Arizona Quilters Guild show. All Creatures Large and Small by Gerlinde Hruzek won First Place in the "Other" category. This artist used so many mediums in the making of her quilt: Needlepoint, embroidery, applique, crochet and ribbon work to name a few. The far away picture just does not give justice to how wonderful this quilt really is. The close up shots give a much better visual. Look at the imagination and variety! Someday I would really like to make a Crazy Quilt. (Maybe it's because I'm a little crazy?) These pictures bring wonderful inspiration. I could have stared for hours to visually absorb all there was to see. It almost felt a little bit like an I-Spy quilt. Do you spy 3 cats? Or a fish? Imagination made and quilted by Sheila Groman Sheila wrote "Imagination is a fanciful Crazy Quilt created with applique, standard and silk embroidery, ribbon, lace, heirloom gloves, needlepoint, crewel, beads, cross-stitch, and tatting." Whew! Yes, I'd say Imagination is a perfect title.

These simple words speak tons. A touch... a life... a change... a difference. You make a difference. You touch lives.

With the fourth block (placed on this grid ) documented I am now up to the fifth which is another that is to be found in the I dropped the Button Box gallery. I hope people will enjoy seeing it again in more detail. Fabric content: How I managed a small block …

Quilting inspiration and tutorials; dimensional wool and cotton applique; stories of quilts; applique patterns

November's block is finished! This was a more difficult block to balance out with a large pale area at the bottom, but in the end, i...

Посты по теме «ришелье бразильская вышивка», добавленные пользователем Ольга Ичитовкина на Постилу

This is a return and the final in an ad hock series of posts on crazy quilting. I have been side tracked in the last 2 months but still had in mind to cover embellishing the block using techniques other than stitching. So I have dusted off the draft, cleaned …

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Thearica over at Pigtales and Quilts is having a crazy quilt party and contest. The purpose is to raise awareness of the ART of crazy quilting. Crazy quilts are all too often snubbed at shows and competitions because some people do not consider them to be real quilts. Well, they may not be machine stitched to within an inch of their lives, LOL, but the layers are there. Crazy quilts are pieced on a foundation fabric and then backed to form a “quilt sandwich”. Various assembly techniques are used, including attaching front to back with ties, buttons, beads, hand or some machine stitch-in-the-ditch (or any combination of those). We also make use of false backs (the quilting is done to a stabilizing layer that is enclosed within and covered by a pretty backing fabric). All in all, crazy quilts require the same skill set as regular pieced quilts - PLUS embroidery, beading, ribbon work, and any number of other embellishment techniques that the artist chooses to incorporate. But, it’s time for me to step down from my soapbox, and show you some of the crazy quilting I have done over the last 12 years. I have been blessed to have taken classes from Betty Pillsbury, Carole Samples, Judith Montano, Sharon Boggon, Helen Gibb, Candace Kling, Allison Aller, Martha Green, and many others. To the skills I have learned from them I have added my own spin. Here are some of my pieces, in rough chronological order from 2000 - 2011. My first piece was a vest; this is a portion of one side. I entered this block in the first Quilting Arts Calendar contest, and won! This block was featured in the 2002 Calendar as the November block (under my former married name of Cathy Flox). Pansy Block: “Thoughts of You" In 2003, I wanted to try a wool quilt. Got it all pieced, but never finished it. It was fun, though! A ribbon motif from my first round robin in Crazy Quilting International: Roses (2007) An autumn pillow. Mr. Squirrel’s tail is mink. One of several purses entered over the years in the CQI contests. It is up for sale now in my Etsy shop, even though it is one of my very favorites! “Images of Africa" “I Love Paris” purse, Side B “I Love Paris” purse, Side A A round robin block from a couple years ago My stitching contribution on a Hears and Flowers block A Flower Fairy themed block Another Flower Fairy themed block A Teatime wallhanging I donated to CQI. It was auctioned off on Ebay, with proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (2011) Another round robin block This block was for a Birds round robin Another block for the Birds round robin Well, I hope you have enjoyed the show. Take some time to visit Pigtales and Quilts and the other crazy quilters who have exhibited their work there. Hugs,

I've taken a lot of pictures of vintage Crazy Quilts, but not very many modern day interpretations. I was especially happy to see 2 contemporary CQ versions at the Arizona Quilters Guild show. All Creatures Large and Small by Gerlinde Hruzek won First Place in the "Other" category. This artist used so many mediums in the making of her quilt: Needlepoint, embroidery, applique, crochet and ribbon work to name a few. The far away picture just does not give justice to how wonderful this quilt really is. The close up shots give a much better visual. Look at the imagination and variety! Someday I would really like to make a Crazy Quilt. (Maybe it's because I'm a little crazy?) These pictures bring wonderful inspiration. I could have stared for hours to visually absorb all there was to see. It almost felt a little bit like an I-Spy quilt. Do you spy 3 cats? Or a fish? Imagination made and quilted by Sheila Groman Sheila wrote "Imagination is a fanciful Crazy Quilt created with applique, standard and silk embroidery, ribbon, lace, heirloom gloves, needlepoint, crewel, beads, cross-stitch, and tatting." Whew! Yes, I'd say Imagination is a perfect title.

There are so many things about CQ that I love - but one of the aspects I get the most pleasure from is teaching. I teach approximately 45 st...

We would love to thank the 20 Crazy Quilting International (CQI) members that participated in the 2016 Spring Best Extended Seam Challenge. And we also want to thank Kathy and Jo for taking on the incredibly difficult task of choosing the top three best extended seams. The decision making process was not an easy one. Each judge had favorites. In fact, once the judges agreed upon the three seams they felt best met the criteria for an extended seam, they asked if we could also add a Judge's Choice category. Entry 15 1st place: Crazy Quilt Template Set 2 donated by Sharon B. of Pintangle.com Diana's seam was selected for 1st place. Entry 7 2nd place: $20 Gift Certificate to Raviolee Dreams on Etsy for laces hand dyed by Barbara Nicki Lee Seavey (Certificate excludes shipping expenses.) Carol's seam was selected for 2nd place. Entry 2 3rd Place: An Antique Dutch Cigarette Silk Fruit Basket from A Crazy Quilt Journey on Etsy, donated by Wilma van Wagensveld Janet's seam was selected for 3rd place. Judges Choice Awards: Entry 8 Kathy chose Entry 8 by Nina and she said, "This is the seam that I wish that I had stitched." Entry 19 Jo chose Entry 19 by Margreet. She liked the traditional treatment, multiple layers, thread types and colours, the beads, that it extended onto both sides of the seam, and added it was "just my style." Entries in the order received: Entry 1 - submitted by Marilyn Entry 2 - submitted by Janet - 3rd Prize Winner Entry 3 - submitted by Kathy Entry 4 - submitted by Heather Entry 5 - submitted by Patricia Entry 6 - submitted by Kathleen Entry 7 - submitted by Carol - 2nd Prize Winner Entry 8 - submitted by Nina - Judges Choice Award Entry 9 - submitted by Margaret Entry 10 - submitted by Katie Entry 11 - submitted by Casey Entry 12 - submitted by Terry Entry 13 - submitted by Joy Entry 14 - submitted by Ritva Entry 15 - submitted by Diana - 1st Prize Winner Entry 16 - submitted by Cindi Entry 17 - submitted by Sandra Entry 18 - submitted by Pamela Entry 19 - submitted by Margareet - Judges Choice Award Entry 20 - submitted by Donna Thank you all for participating! Your work is beautiful and inspiring. We would also love to thank all of our vendor members that have made donations this year to make our seasonal challenges more fun for the participants. In alphabetical order, these members are: · Barbara Nicki Lee Seavey – Raviolee Dreams on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/shop/RavioleeDreams · Elizabeth Rudder – CQI Moderator · Janet Stauffacher - Vintage Vogue.com https://www.vintagevogue.com · Kathy Shaw – Shawkl Designs http://www.shawkl.com/ · Marcy Wyatt – Crazy Quilt and Other Crafts and Handmade Needle Arts Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/suppliesforcrazyquiltsandothercrafts/ · Sharon Boggon – Pintangle.com http://pintangle.com/cq-stencils/ · Thearica Burroughs – crazyquiltingsupplies.com http://www.crazyquiltingsupplies.com/ · Wilma van Wagensveld – A Crazy Quilt Journey on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/shop/aCrazyQuiltJourney Visitors that may be wondering what an "extended seam" is, this post Wilma shared on her blog explains. Future 2016 Challenges: Summer Challenge: Crazy Quilted Heart - details coming soon! Fall Challenge: New CQI Logo Winter Challenge: Crazy Quilted Purse The challenges are only for Crazy Quilting International members, but any crazy quilters may join. We meet on Facebook. And on Yahoo we meet within these 5 groups: the main CQI group, gallery one, gallery two, gallery three and our swaps & activities group. (Please note: on Yahoo, each group must be joined separately.)

Crazy Quilt Block 99 is part of a series offering free crazy quilt block patterns, techniques, and tips on how to decorate seams with hand embroidery.

It is still so hot but it is already September, only four months for the New Year! Pamela Kellogg's 2016 Calendar just released, I'm looking forward to get my own copy to review it. By the way, I'm so excited for being "May page" of that lovely project. I did a special block according to project format. My friends, followers know it well that I keep some items for the special projects, I used lots of them to create my "May block".Pam sent me a lovely blue bird photo, I printed and decided to create a block mostly with blue+pink colors. I just used a dark blue color lace trim and golden color ric-rac and a beaded lace, I did all other seam treatments myself. There were some dark blue+blue+white combo little oya flowers, I put them on to pink patch, my little bird now looking them:)) The fabric of that mentioned patch specially hand dyed from our southern part. I love to use those fabrics for the quilts that I make according to paper piecing method, their performance is great, no comparison with the standard cotton fabrics. As I mostly do, I used a Chevron stitch as a base, kept stitching, added lots of beads, with some contrast colors. I especially made some long patches to create long seam treatments. I added some other stiff type oya flowers on the dark blue patch, they really popped up. I did spider rose flowers with variegated silk ribbon. It is our locally produced silk ribbon. I really like their natural color scheme. I also used same type of ribbons to create leaves and other SRE works, as well. As I told before, I used many special items. My vintage Czech buttons the most important ones. Their story is interesting for me. I was going to Ankara frequently during my daughter's college years. One day, I went to an old store that was selling elegant accessories in my youth, as being a naval family, we located in different places, one of them was Ankara, our capitol city. My mother's choice was always haute couture and she was getting real special things from that shop for her tailor made dresses. After all those years that little shop's goodies were still so exclusive. I selected lovely trims and I noticed a small button but it was on their little showcase. He told me if I've interested in with buttons he could bring me some boxes from storage. I waited a few minutes, he came back with two boxes which were full of Czech buttons. He said, these are only samples, most of them discontinued products, I bought them long time ago, nobody interested in with them, just select as you wish just pay a symbolic money. You can imagine what I felt that moment, I bought lots of wonderful buttons. But, I still blame myself, why I didn't buy those two boxes with all those buttons!!! In those days I was a Newbie, I didn't know the value of them. I tried to catch color harmony as much as I can, colors of my block are so soft, I tried to take photos in day light however, I believe that they don't justice real colors but I'm happy with outcome, I really enjoyed so much to create something for the coming year. It is a great honor to take part in that project among all those well talented&experienced Ladies:)) So, I tried my best to create a special block using special items from my stash. I hope you like my "May page" and entire calendar. Wishing you all the best....

Hello and thank you for visiting me! Today I would like to share with you the progress I have made learning how to construct a crazy quilt b...

While shopping at the antique mall, one of the things I’ve been noticing re-surge more and more are Victorian Crazy Quilts and all of their lovely styles and forms. Since I cannot begin to to…

The theme of Bees, Butterflies and Beetles was so popular, that a second group of stitchers formed another round robin so they could play, too! In BBBII, the talented stitchers were Margreet, Darlene, Cathy L, Ritva and Beryl - representing countries from all over the world! BERYL’S BLOCK Beryl’s Naked Block Cathy L’s work on Beryl’s block Darlene added the beetles and the Beatles! Margreet’s work for Beryl This gorgeous butterfly was stitched by Ritva More of Ritva’s work Beryl’s completed block CATHY L’S BLOCK Cathy’s Naked Block Darlene’s work for Cathy Margreet’s work Detail of Margreet’s work Ritva’s work Beryl’s work Cathy L’s completed block DARLENE’S BLOCK Darlene’s Naked Block Margreet’s lovely work Darlene was next to stitch on Ritva’s block Beryl;s work Cathy L’s work Darlene’s Completed Block MARGREET’S BLOCK Margreet’s Naked Block Ritva’s work Beryl’s work Cathy L’s work Margreet’s block after Ritva, Beryl and Cathy Darlene’s work Completed Block after Margreet finished and framed it. RITVA’S BLOCK Ritva’s Naked Block Beryl started off on Ritva’s block Cathy L added these critters More of Cathy’s work Ritva’s block after Beryl and Cathy Ritva’s block after Darlene added her stitching Finished block after Margreet’s work Ritva’s lovely block after she framed it.

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This exquisite pillow by French crazy-quilter Evy gives me double joy. As always, I’m captivated by the luxurious detail of seam treatments that incorporate beading and silk ribbon embroidery…

Blog of Susan Elliott where she shares her life through her needlework and photography.

I am teaching my Crazy Quilted Block Holder class at MissyMoo next term. Missy Moo is a patchwork shop in Croydon, Victoria. This is an unusual colour palette for me. I had some Asian themed fabric and used red, gold and black fabric. Of course you can do any colours that you like. The class will run for 4 lessons but there will be a week in between each class so there will be enough time to complete the work. I always think that it is so interesting to see what the block looked like before I added the embroidery. I have another block holder in pink and I use it all the time to keep my blocks clean and flat while I am completing the next block. This is what the block holder looks like on the inside. The class will run on Monday afternoons from 1pm to 3pm. The dates are 24th April, 8th May, 22nd May and 5th June. Bye for now, Linda

Ну, они друг без друга никак:) И в новом проекте Гильдии "Кружева" в категории Традиционный отведено место и крейзи квилту. Цитата из положения: "Передать сложность и ажурность узора с помощью пэчворка или аппликации с закрытым срезом. Допускается аппликация с открытым срезом если она выполнена с использованием плотного зигзага или петельного шва. Возможно использование готового кружева, но мы скорее надеемся на то, что ажурность и деликатность рисунка будут достигнуты разнообразными средствами, а не только использованием готовых кружевных фрагментов, например кружевных салфеток, настроченных на поверхность квилта. Очень надеемся, что традиционный викторианский крейзи квилт также будет среди работ на тему"Кружево"" Я не шила больших работ в этой технике, хоть и очень люблю крейзи. Но на волне увлечения пересмотрела и прочитала много разной информации. В помощь тем,кто решится попробовать себя в крейзи и сшить квилт по проекту Гильдии, напишу несколько постов. Начнем с тканей и инструментов. Крейзи очень благодатная техника, в ход пойдут абсолютно любые ткани. Все они должны перед работой быть выстираны и отглажены. Крейзи собирают на основу (в основном, есть варианты. Но классический способ - сборка на основу). Это позволяет подружить в одном блоке тонкие кружева, струящийся шелк и тяжелую парчу. Для основы обычно берется х/б ткань - муслин, батист, фланель. Очень неплохо подойдет наш ситец - тот, что как марля:) Можно брать цветные, если ваши ткани плотные, темные и не просвечивают. Но лучше однотонные светлые или белые. Ткани для основы обязательно надо декатировать. В викторианскую эпоху крейзи квилты собирались без наполнителя. Сейчас обычно квилт трехслойный. Особенно, если в работе много густой вышивки, тяжелых элементов украшения - чтобы не провисал. В качестве наполнителя используют фланель, или тонкий хлопковый или полиэстровый наполнитель. Из инструментов вам понадобятся ножницы по ткани, иголки для шитья, иголки для вышивания, булавки. Нитки для пришивания лоскутов. Швейная машинка. Обычно крейзи собирается вручную (мой выбор), но можно блоки и весь квилт собирать на машинке. Материалы для украшения блоков. Нитки для вышивания. Мулине - обычное, металлик, окрашенное с переходом цвета, мулине Perle - клубочки, похожие на нитки для вязания Ирис, но тоньше. Шелк для вышивания. Шерсть для вышивания. Различные бусины, бисер, пайетки, стеклярус. Разнообразные пуговицы. Шнуры, ленты, кружева. Разнообразная тесьма. Вязаные салфетки, прошвы, каймы. Готовые пришивные аппликации. Возможно, я что-то упустила:) Никогда не знаешь, что может пригодиться. На этом пока все. В следующем посте расскажу про варианты сборки блоков.

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My friend Brigitte (from the about.com quilt forum) posted recently about a free class that was coming up to learn crazy quilt embroidery. I...

This blog is a showcase of crazy quilting work by the members of the "Crazy Quilting International" Facebook group. Members include stitchers from all over the world. We would love to have you join us - either as a stitcher, or just as an interested viewer. Have a seat and enjoy!

Learn the creative art of crazy quilting, also known as crazy patchwork. This page tells all about how to make a crazy quilt, including supplies and embroidery

I realised that I haven't added many of these photo's here, so thought I would. These are of my Crazy Quilt with Grandmother's Fans. It took 4 years between 1992-1996 and I sold it in 2009(ish) for $70000AU.

TAST week 30 Oyster Stitch What a peculiar stitch this was. I had trouble getting the 1st part (the twisted chain) to stay down, but I think I eventually got it to BEHAVE enough for a fairly unison finish. Here is the Oyster Stitch on my CQJP block for July. Coton A Broder 16 in black on the left and white on the right of this seam. And here is a little "playtime fun" on my Stitch Journal page Love these scallops or swags. And a flower burst This is my Stitch Journal page for the last month or two. Not all the stitches are on here as I did some of them straight on to my CQJP without trialing them first, but I shall probably add them to the Stitch Journal at a later date as I want them all together in one place. CQJP July Block WIP I have been gradually adding seam treatments and embellishment to the July Crazy Quilt block, and working through some problem areas with it. Remember this from last week Well, I didn't like it so I frogged it...... rippit, rippit,rippit. And in it's place is this.... I'm not sure what it is meant to be haha.... but it was fun to do and it's staying. It's possible that I got a little bit influenced by the Olympics. The crocheted trim that I added last week has had it's ribbon embellishment added, and I used a tiny cross-stitch in a light green metallic thread to anchor the ribbon in place rather than weaving the ribbon like I first intended. As usual though, the metallic thread does not photograph well. I wanted this trim to have a gentle and delicate look, as there are already too many 'chunky' seams on the block. One more freeform stitched seam this week is this one that is not finished yet. I'm not going to think about what it needs yet, just have to wait and see what happens on the end of my needle on the day it gets it's topping. Lots of beads to be added to the July block over the next couple of days hopefully, and then it will be finished before next weekends reveal. I hope you have a great stitching week ahead. Bye for now. Happy Stitching

An illustrated tutorial on how to hand embroider crazy quilt seams with tips on where to use these ideas and a free PDF file download

We have begun our ambitious crazy quilting class with seven lovely and talented ladies. As we mentioned in a previous post, Crazy Quilting—Start to Finish, we have created a six-month crazy quilting class that teaches our students how to piece their blocks, stitch and embellish them, and finally put them together in the format of their choice. Taking photos of the class models for reference All our ladies had been eagerly awaiting this class and were ready to get started. Each student was instructed to bring at least 24 different fabrics, which could include cottons, silks, satins, or any other fabric they liked. We did have some fancy fabrics for sale to help their collection, but some of our ladies had been collecting fabrics over time, just for a future crazy quilt. A rainbow assortment of silks, satins, and velvets Many of these fabrics were sourced from thrift stores. One student's collection Each lady received four different patterns, as well as a fabric Little Red Riding Hood vintage postcard print to use as a center for one of their blocks. Most of the patterns were put together the same way, by having a center piece and then sewing each section around that center piece. We had the ladies bring in four 9" squares of flannel to be used as a base for the block, and Teri demonstrated how to construct the block with the flannel base. The flannel base provides a great support for the future block embroidery, and it also helps manage some of those slippery fabrics. The first piece is centered on the base. The second piece attached. As each piece is added, the excess underneath is trimmed away. Ready for embroidery After the demonstration, the ladies got to it and began constructing their blocks. Getting ready to choose fabrics Going around the center block with the next piece Checking if this fabric is a good fit This block is ready to be trimmed to its finished size. Such beautiful, bright colors We designed the patterns to be 8.5" finished, so having 9" base allowed for a little wiggle room as we pieced. An 8.5" square ruler was used to bring the pieced blocks down to their finished size. Trimmed and ready to go After the block was finished, the ladies basted around all four sides, and their blocks are ready for next month's embroidery session. Some of our students' finished blocks: The silver fabric in this block is a lacy overlay. Most of these fabrics were found at local thrift stores. As an unexpected treat, one of our students brought in some antique crazy quilt blocks that she had purchased. The blocks were in various stages of completion, absolutely beautiful, and she has more of them to bring to the next session. We can't wait to see them, and we will be sure to share them with you as well. Such lovely embroidery This unfinished, basted block is mostly made of silk. Another block a little further along in regard to the stitching Everyone was able to complete one block and will have the other three ready for our February meeting, where we will be focusing on motif selection, transferring design, and stitching the motifs. Thank you for joining us as we build these crazy quilts, and please come back to see the outcome of our next session.

Here are some more photos of Gwen's intricate work. Enjoy! XXXX jenny