FOR THE PRECISION IMPAIRED
Click here to see quilts using this technique.
A six hour workshop for quilt guilds.
Taught by Amy Stewart Winsor
amywinsor@juno.com
"Crazy in Black" (c) 2004, Amy Stewart Winsor. 22"w X 28"h
Course description:
Tired of using someone else's patterns, or being at the mercy of pre-made foundations? Do you want to create a crazy quilt but don't know the tricks to putting the pieces together? This class is for the beginner or advanced quilter who doesn't have a clue how crazy quilts are made. You will get a good start on a small wallhanging, and gain the knowledge to make other crazy quilts, or art quilts using these freeform techniques.
You will begin piecing a 17" x 20" wallhanging, which can be embellished with lace, buttons, beads, and embroidery. SEWING MACHINE REQUIRED: Straight stitch for piecing. If you want to add decorative machine stitching, you can do it later or bring an appropriate machine to class.
Student Supply List:
Sewing machine, basic sewing supplies, extra sewing machine needle, full bobbin, several medium thread colors to blend with fabrics, monofilament invisible thread. Rotary cutter and mat, rulers.
Guild or students provide irons, ironing board.
Important: Batting. 18” x 21” Batting: You may buy ½ yard Pellon ThermoLam Plus, my favorite for crazy quilting. It is sold on the bolt. You can use half and share the other half with a friend. Fairfield SoftTouch or Warm and Natural are also good. Compact flat batting is needed, do not use fluffy polyester.
Fabric:
For your first crazy quilt, I recommend 100% cotton fabric because it is so easy to work with. If you want to include a couple of pieces of fancy fabric, make sure they are tightly woven (such as taffeta, heavy satin, and drapery fabric.)
No velvet, sheer, or knits. Nothing slippery, slithery, thick, or with a rubbery backing.
1 yard fabric for border/backing ( Choose a fabric you really like)
one fat quarter for inner border (this should show up well against the other fabrics)
Choose at least 15 other fabrics to coordinate. Vary the fabrics by using solids, stripes, plaids, small-to-medium florals, batiks, textures, etc. Fat quarters or smaller pieces are fine for the patchwork. If you have small scraps, strips are easier to work with than odd-sized chunks.
Embellishments
Bring a variety of pieces of flat lace(not gathered), rick-rack, trims, etc . You may wish to share these, as most pieces only need to be a few inches long.
Most handwork, such as hand embroidery and beading, will be done after class. You will spend most of your class time sewing the patchwork, and sewing lace and trims onto seamlines.
Interesting buttons, beads, sequins, lace appliques, and anything else which looks like it belongs on a crazy quilt, can be added after class.