What method do you use to piece your crazy quilt background?

[Elaine Wilding]

I know there are several ways to piece the background I usually use the antique method? I am interested in how and why each of you use your method. And do you love this process as much as the stitching.  I do because i love fabric also. Touching and handling it for it's different textures are part of my love of stitching also.  I hope some of us will learn something new from this thread as there are stitchers of all levels  here. And I am sure some the newer stitchers would love to listen to the pros speak about this. So interesting. We all have so much to offer. Hugs Elaine

[Elizabeth Braun]

Which book was that please, Margaret?

Margaret said:

good to get this info for a beginner, I have only tried the stitch and flip way which is very quick, the book I bought to help gives 10  different ways to patch a CQ, do not think I will try them all but I do prefer to hand stitch so will have a go with the antique way 

[Margaret]

just been cathing up on what everyone has to say, I have now tried the antique method but did not stitch with tiny stitches when I turned the ends in, just tacked and then used embroidery stitches to hold in place, I prefer the stitch and flip method but not sure I do it correctly as seem to have quite a bit of wasted fabric.A fellow stitcher gave me lots of bits to practise with and have made a couple of bags with a crazy block in the centre, will post photos shortly.I know the idea was origionally to use old clothes etc but when I look at the piece I made with scraps they look second hand I prefer new fabric.Purchaesed quite a few fat quarters at the qulit show in Harrogate recently but a bit worried about cutting into them!

[mary beard]

I mainly use the stitch and flip method then if there is a problem area  I often will take a piece of fabric cut in a 1/2 semi circle...press the outer curved side with a narrow hem with the iron to make a curved patch...then pin in place...either using a pretty embroidery stitch or machine stitch will stitch it directly onto the block...the curve then can be embellished with trim, lace or stitches/beads etc....and the curves give the block interest - hope this helps....also when you flip back the fabric you just sewed on trim the new piece into a straight line with the existing piece and this will help eliminate dead end areas to cover...not sure description helps - could show you but live in Texas and not next door!! Mary

[Mandy Currie]

What a lovely idea Mary, I might borrow that one, it sounds easy enough for me to follow. I'm just a beginner at this stage, but loving the group and listening to all the advice.

[Nina B Darisse]

When I first started I used stitch-&-flip, and had quite a bit of success with making pillows and small gifts. I just recently completed a 9x9-block CQ that I pieced using antique method. It was more fun and, surprise to me, easier.
I pin as I go (step 1) with scraps from my stash (usually). I use pictures, cigarette silks, pictures on fabric as well.
I then insert ribbons, lace, etc into the seams (step 2)--still pinned
I then stitch the seams w basic stitches (step 3)
Step 4 is adding additional fancy stitches to the seams
Step 5 is adding charms, beads, ribbon embroidery, buttons, sequins, flowers
Step 6---very important--let it rest for a day or 2, then go back and see if it needs anything else

All this is done on a foundation of muslin that I have cut to a specific size

[Donna]

There are several different ways to piece, and I have tried them most of them at one time or another, I think. :) The only technique I use now is the one created by Martha Green, a crazy quilt instructor from Oklahoma, in the USA. Martha has been crazy quilting for at least 35 years, and there was no one for her to turn to when she started. She devised her own method for piecing, and I dropped all other piecing methods after learning this one in the mid-90's. Some of you have taken classes from Martha and will understand what I am talking about.

Martha's method consists of sewing, on the sewing machine, pairs of randomly shaped fabrics. Without removing cutting thread you move from one pair to the next until you have depleted your bobbin. Cut threads between each pair, press, and run the pairs through the machine so that you then have 4 pcs. fabric in each of the stitched units. You do this 3 - 4 times, until you have pieces large enough to fill in substantial spaces on your blocks. At that point, you will probably just need to fill in corners, which you can do by flip and sew. It is an easy way to piece, it yields very interesting and random blocks, and it goes fast, fast fast.

Traditionally, blocks (the backing for crazy patchwork) have been made of muslin. That's what I use. People have been trying new materials, such as non-woven interfacing, with good results, so I have heard. I don't see why you could not stitch on batting, but you'd have to be sure that the batting is stable enough to handle lots of stitching through it with all kinds of fibers. I am not a traditional quilter and do not know enough about batting to make a recommendation.

Martha calls her crazy quilting methods "The Carny Roadside School of Attractions Crazy Quilting", and I wish she would write a book because she has so many original and helpful ways of working. If you want to reach her online you can do so through the yahoo group [e-mail]. You have to be a member to participate, but it's the only way to reach Martha online that I know of other than her email address, and I have not asked her if I may share that.

Happy Stitchin'!

Donna Johnson

[Pam Kellogg]

I use the sew and flip method mostly because I love running my antique treadle sewing machine which is the one I use for piecing.  I don't always start in the middle however and for curved pieces, I just top stitch them and then add lace or trim over those edges.

One of the things that I love about crazy quilting is the freedom to do things my way.  This freedom leads to new techniques, new challenges, and new ideas.  Open mindedness I suppose.

Pam