Threaded Chaos

Susan
Sep 16
3 min read

As an Island Batik Brand Ambassador, I receive fabrics and sewing notions from Island Batik and their corporate sponsors (Oliso, Schmetz, Aurifil, Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Designs, Hobbs Batting, Accu-Quilt, Funky Friends Factory, By-Annie Patterns and Lumin Fabrics.)

Crazy Patch Quilts is the theme for the September Threaded Chaos blog hop sponsored by Aurifil. I have an interest in crazy patch quilting, due to my love of hand embroidery. The internet tells us that crazy patchwork became popular in the late 1800's due to English embroidery and Japanese artwork and that this type of quilt makes a great stash buster. There is an amazing needlework designer, Judith Baker Montano who has written several books on hand embroidery and crazy patchwork quilts. I also had the honor of taking some classes with Judith during EGA Seminars.

My bundle of joy is "Fossil Finesse" designed by Kathy Engle. It's made up of twenty green, teal, blue and purple fabrics. It's a beautiful collection and I love this color palette.

When I sew crazy patch blocks, I sew the fabric onto muslin. So the first thing I do, is cut my muslin squares; usually 9", because I will trim the blocks down to 8-1/2". You should cut the squares a little bigger than your block size, so that you can trim it down to your desired size. Next, I pressed my fabrics and randomly cut them into 1-1/2", 2" and

2-1/2" strips. I also cut 4-1/2" squares out from each fabric to be used as the middle block, or what I call "the house."

Plastic lunch trays are great for keeping projects organized.

The block begins with one house.

I was taught to sew my fabric strips on counter-clockwise. Why? I don't know, but that's the way I still do it. Choose a strip of fabric, about the length of one side of the house or a little longer. Sew a 1/4" seam. Flip the piece of fabric over and press it.

As you add strips, you can trim the ends to match the previous fabric that was sewn on. After adding a strip and sewing it on, cut any excess fabric that was sewn over into the seam. This will reduce bulk. A good tip: periodically, flip your block over and trim some excess fabric off that is hanging over the muslin square. This will help guide you in keeping within the muslin block boundary.

After you sew this seam, you would trim off that extra piece of blue fabric that is overhanging.

When you are done sewing on the fabric strips, turn the block over and use the appropriate size square ruler to trim the block.

I find that it is easier to decorate your blocks with stitches, lace, etcetera before you sew them together. The blocks are a great portable sewing project. Organize your blocks the way that you like and sew them together!