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Crazy Quilts!
Crazy Quilts on an embroidery machine? Yes! The crazy quilt technique has
been popular with quilters for years but if you aren't a quilter you have probably never
tried this amazing technique. If you are a quilter that embroiders as well you can
combine both hobbies into this project. You create a crazy quilt by mixing different
fabrics in a patchwork style. I have seen a few different crazy quilt designs for
embroidery machines but the techniques that were used required a lot of steps that
involved folding fabric and it took a long time to complete a block. I use a different
technique with these designs. You simply lay a piece of fabric down in your hoop, it is
tacked down with a stitch and then you trim it. You are probably asking, wouldn't that
leave a raw edge? The answer is simple, of course. When the pieces are all cut for the
block we go over all of the raw edges with a large motif stitch. The motif stitch covers
the edge and eliminates the need for any folding. You will love this technique. The best
part about these crazy quilts is that when they are complete you have a scene with a
large icon in the center instead of just a quilt.
The following pages contain an extensive guide that will demonstrate how to
choose your fabrics, create a block and finish the quilt. I hope you enjoy the designs
and look for new crazy quilt projects from Anita Goodesign soon!
Steve Wilson
Important!!!!
Please read this tutorial before attempting this project,
Anita Goodesign
This is the basic layout for the wall hanging. The base fabric for each square is
white, you will not see any of the base fabric when the project is completed. The only
other fabrics you will need to choose are for the border frame.
DO NOT FORGET TO ADD SEAM ALLOWANCES!
2.5 border
1/2 binding
Anita Goodesign
This is the original artwork for the tile scene. You will not need to pay attention
to any of the detail here, we just wanted to demonstrate how we figure out the fabric
layout for this type of project.
Anita Goodesign
Here is the finished wall hanging. Notice how the bands of fabric continue
through the whole design even though they are done in different hoopings.
Anita Goodesign
Here are the fabrics used to make the wall hanging. We chose 6 different light tan
fabrics, 6 different browns, 3 different reds and 1 dark brown or black. You will need about
3/4 of a yard each for the tans, yard each for the browns and a fat quarter each for the
reds. Medium and small print fabrics work well. We used Civil War reproduction prints for
our fabrics.
T2
T3
T4
T5
T6
R1
R2
R3
B1
B2
B3
B4
B5
B6
BL
T1
Anita Goodesign
Notes on Sizes
Each of the block designs come in 2 sizes . The sample we embroidered used the large size. Both
sizes look wonderful. Since the stitch counts don't vary that greatly between sizes, your choice of size
may simply depend on the capability of your machine.
T5
T2
T6
B5
BL
BL
B5
B5
BL
T5
BL
T2
T6
B5
BL
BL
B5
B5
BL
BL
Anita Goodesign
Organizing your fabrics
All of the blocks in this collection are created using applique. Keeping your fabric organized is key to
completing them quickly. When we are working on the crazy quilt projects we start out by choosing the
required fabrics and laying them out on a worktable with note cards that signify the number or letter of
that particular fabric (see fabric sheet for more info) That way when the design sheet calls for fabric A
we simply reach for that pile and our fabric is all set. If you follow this technique of organizing your
fabrics you will complete the blocks very quickly.
Anita Goodesign
How the block instruction pages work.
Each of the 25 blocks for this project are created in a similar fashion as what is shown below. You will see a
scan of the finished block along with the corresponding fabric letters on top of it. The letters and number
demonstrate where each piece of fabric goes. This picture will show you where each piece of fabric needs to
be placed. Follow the typed instructions carefully. You will notice that they will tell you to stitch a step and
then place fabric after it. This is very important. Another tip is to always match your tacking stitch thread color
as closely as possible to your fabric color.
Colors
All colors are Madeira
Rayon unless noted
T5
T2
T6
B5
BL
BL
B5
B5
BL
BL
Anita Goodesign
Creating each crazy quilt block is simple, you will simply place your fabric, tack it down and trim. As
long as your fabrics are organized and you refer to each design sheet for the steps you will breeze
through the designs. The individual blocks are created as follows:
The first step in the design is to hoop your base
fabric with a piece of tear-away stabilizer. You can
use a white cotton as your base fabric. Stitch out
step one of the block, this is your squaring stitch.
All of the appliques will fit inside this squaring
stitch.
Tip!
No matter which placement technique you use
make sure the grain of the fabric is going up and
down when you place it. This will insure that the
patterns line up throughout the blocks.
Anita Goodesign
Now its time to trim the first piece of fabric. Cut
right along the tacking line as close as you can
except for the outside edge. If there is a portion of
the fabric that extends past the squaring stitch
you will need to leave a 1 tab. This tab will
actually be your seam allowance.
Tip!
Match your tacking thread steps to the
applique fabric color. This way if thread
shows through the seams you will not
notice it.
Anita Goodesign
The photo at the left shows the block almost
complete. If you keep your fabric organized you
will see how quickly you will be able to move
through these designs.
Anita Goodesign
Now we will demonstrate how to assemble all of the pieces to create the quilt. Obviously the first step is
to embroider all 25 pieces. Once they are done follow these steps.
This picture shows a completed block ready to
trim.
Anita Goodesign
Now its time to join our blocks together. This is a
25 block scene so we are going to make five
strips of five blocks going left to right first and then
join the five strips together to create the finished
project. Lay one block flat and take the block next
to it and lay it face down on top of it. Line up the
outside stitch lines so that they are right on top of
each other. Pin them together.
Anita Goodesign
Continue the same process for the next 3 blocks in the strip. The photo above demonstrates how
the strip of five will look when complete. finish the next four strips for a total of five strips of five.
Anita Goodesign
Since this is a longer strip you will need to use
more pins. Sew them together with a straight
stitch in the same manner as the individual
blocks.
Tip!
This project is essentially one of our tile scene designs without the ribbon added down
the seams. If you want to add ribbon down the seams you still can. The ribbon can
easily cover a mistake or an uneven seam. There is a separate tile scene tutorial in the
tutorials folder of the CD-Rom that demonstrate these techniques.
This tutorial originally appeared in the Pumpkin Crazy Quilt collection.
The techniques used in the sunflower are exactly the same.
Anita Goodesign
Block 1 - Use White as your base fabric
T3
Colors
All colors are Madeira
Rayon unless noted
1. Squaring Stitch -TanPlace fabric T3 after this
step
T1
T6
T5
Design Name -CQTUR1A
Stitches -2548
Size - 5.8 high x 5.8 wide
Design Name -CQTUR1B
Stitches - 2107
Size - 4.8 high x 4.8 wide
Anita Goodesign
Block 2 - Use White as your base fabric
T4
T3
Colors
All colors are Madeira
Rayon unless noted
1. Squaring Stitch -TanPlace fabric T4 after this
step
B5
T1
BL
BL
B5
B5
T6
BL
Design Name -CQTUR2A
Stitches -3196
Size - 5.8 high x 5.8 wide
Anita Goodesign
Block 3 - Use White as your base fabric
T4
T1
BL
B5
T5
Colors
All colors are Madeira
Rayon unless noted
B5
B5
BL
BL
B5
Anita Goodesign
Block 4 - Use White as your base fabric
Colors
All colors are Madeira
Rayon unless noted
T5
T2
T6
B5
BL
BL
B5
B5
BL
BL
Anita Goodesign
Block 5 - Use White as your base fabric
Colors
All colors are Madeira
Rayon unless noted
1. Squaring Stitch -TanPlace fabric T2 after this
step
T2
T5
T3
T4
BL
Design Name -CQTUR5A
Stitches -2343
Size - 5.8 high x 5.8 wide
Design Name -CQTUR5B
Stitches - 1969
Size - 4.8 high x 4.8 wide
Anita Goodesign
Block 6 - Use White as your base fabric
T6 Colors
All colors are Madeira
Rayon unless noted
T5
R1
B4
T2
T1
R2
Anita Goodesign
Block 7 - Use white as your base fabric
T6
B5
Colors
All colors are Madeira Rayon unless
noted
1. Squaring Stitch -Tan- Place fabric
T6 after this step
BL
T5
R1
B1
T2
B2
R2
T1
B4
B3
Anita Goodesign
Block 8 - Use white as your base fabric
Colors
All colors are Madeira Rayon
unless noted
1. Squaring Stitch -Tan- Place
fabric B5 after this step
BL
B5
BL
B5
B5
BL
B2
B6
B3
B3
Anita Goodesign
Block 9 - Use white as your base fabric
BL
B5
Colors
All colors are Madeira Rayon
unless noted
1. Squaring Stitch -Tan- Place
fabric B5 after this step
BL
B5
B5
BL
B6
B3
B5
Anita Goodesign
Block 10- Use white as your base fabric
BL
Colors
All colors are Madeira
Rayon unless noted
T5
T3
B5
T4
B5
BL
T6
Anita Goodesign
Block 11- Use white as your base fabric
R2
T1
Colors
All colors are Madeira
Rayon unless noted
1. Squaring Stitch -TanPlace fabric T1 after this
step
2. Tacking Stitch - tanPlace fabric T3 after this
step
T3
R1
T4
T2
Design Name -CQTUR11A
Stitches -2951
Size - 5.8 high x 5.8 wide
B1
Anita Goodesign
R2
R1
B1
B3
B2
B1
B6
Anita Goodesign
Block 13- Use white as your base fabric
B3
B6
B3
Colors
All colors are Madeira Rayon
unless noted
1. Squaring Stitch -Tan- Place
fabric B1 after this step
2. Tacking Stitch - brown- Place
fabric B2 after this step
R3
B1
B2
B4
B5
B6
Anita Goodesign
Block 14- Use white as your base fabric
Colors
All colors are Madeira Rayon
unless noted
B5
B3
BL
R3
B5
R1
B5
BL
R3
T2
T3
Anita Goodesign
Block 15- Use white as your base fabric
BL
Colors
All colors are Madeira
T4
Rayon unless noted
T5
B5
BL
B5
T6
BL
T2
T3
Anita Goodesign
Block 16- Use white as your base fabric
T4
B1
Colors
All colors are Madeira
Rayon unless noted
1. Squaring Stitch -TanPlace fabric T4 after this
step
2. Tacking Stitch - tanPlace fabric T2 after this
step
T2
T6
T1
Anita Goodesign
Block 17- Use white as your base fabric
Colors
All colors are Madeira Rayon
unless noted
B2
B1
B6
R3
T6
B3
B4
T1
B6
T5
T2
T3
Anita Goodesign
Block 18- Use white as your base fabric
Colors
All colors are Madeira Rayon
unless noted
B6
R1
B5
R3
R1
B3
B6
T4 T2
R3
T3 BL
Anita Goodesign
Block 19- Use white as your base fabric
B5R3
Colors
All colors are Madeira Rayon
unless noted
T3
R1
T1
R3
R1
T4
R3
T2
T5
T3
Anita Goodesign
Block 20- Use white as your base fabric
Colors
All colors are Madeira Rayon
unless noted
T3
T1
T4
T3
Design Name -CQTUR20A
Stitches -2050
Size - 5.8 high x 5.8 wide
Design Name -CQTUR20B
Stitches -1691
Size - 4.8 high x 4.8 wide
Anita Goodesign
Block 21- Use white as your base fabric
Colors
All colors are Madeira Rayon
unless noted
1. Squaring Stitch -Tan- Place
fabric T2 after this step
T2
T1
T6
T5
Anita Goodesign
Block 22- Use white as your base fabric
T1
Colors
All colors are Madeira Rayon
unless noted
T3
T5
T2
BL
Anita Goodesign
Block 23- Use white as your base fabric
B6
T2
Colors
All colors are Madeira Rayon
unless noted
1. Squaring Stitch -Tan- Place
fabric T3 after this step
2. Tacking Stitch - tan- Place
fabric T1 after this step
BL
T4
BL
T3
T1
Anita Goodesign
Block 24- Use white as your base fabric
T3
Colors
All colors are Madeira Rayon
unless noted
1. Squaring Stitch -Tan- Place
fabric T3 after this step
T5
T2
T4
Design Name -CQTUR24A
Stitches -2280
Size - 5.8 high x 5.8 wide
Design Name -CQTUR24B
Stitches - 1887
Size - 4.8 high x 4.8 wide
Anita Goodesign
Block 25- Use white as your base fabric
T1
Colors
All colors are Madeira Rayon
unless noted
1. Squaring Stitch -Tan- Place
fabric T4 after this step
T3
T5
T2
Design Name -CQTUR25A
Stitches -2429
Size - 5.8 high x 5.8 wide
Design Name -CQTUR25B
Stitches - 2007
Size - 4.8 high x 4.8 wide