| The term "crazy quilting" is often used | | | | memory. |
| to refer to the textile art of crazy | | | | Crazy quilts differ from "regular" |
| patchwork and is sometimes used | | | | quilts in other ways as well. Because |
| interchangeably with that term. Crazy | | | | the careful geometric design of a quilt |
| quilting does not actually refer to a | | | | block is much less important in crazy |
| specific kind of quilting (the | | | | quilts, the quilters are able to employ |
| needlework which binds two or more | | | | much smaller and more irregularly-shaped |
| layers of fabric together), but a | | | | pieces of fabric. In comparison to |
| specific kind of patchwork. Crazy quilts | | | | standard quilts, crazy quilts are far |
| rarely have the internal layer of | | | | more likely to use exotic pieces of |
| batting that is part of what defines | | | | fabric, such as velvet, satin, tulle, or |
| quilting as a textile technique. | | | | silk, and embellishments such as |
| Crazy Quilting created a stir in the | | | | buttons, lace, ribbons, beads, or |
| 1880's when it became quite a fad in the | | | | embroidery. Crazy quilting as a textile |
| United States. The Japanese Exhibit in | | | | art is extremely creative and |
| the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial | | | | free-flowing by nature, and crazy |
| Exposition inspired the crazy quilt with | | | | quilters will often learn as much about |
| its asymmetrical art. Articles | | | | specific embellishments as they will |
| encouraging crazy quilting, or | | | | about crazy quilting itself. |
| condemning it could be found in women's | | | | Regular patchwork combines the pieces of |
| publications. Women could purchase | | | | fabric into a predetermined and regular |
| packages of random fabrics, as well as | | | | design, but crazy patchwork uses |
| already embellished pieces to use in | | | | irregular pieces of fabric on a |
| their own crazy quilts. | | | | foundation fabric or paper. This may |
| During the first several years of the | | | | create haphazard-looking and |
| crazy quilting fad fine fabrics and | | | | asymmetrical designs, or the designer |
| heavy embellishment was the norm. As | | | | may use some control in placement. |
| time passed quilters began to make | | | | Patches can be hand appliquéd onto a |
| simpler quilts in the crazy quilt style. | | | | base fabric. This method gives the most |
| These used everyday fabrics like wool or | | | | variety as every patch is unique. There |
| cotton and little or no embellishment. | | | | are also block patterns designed for |
| Crazy quilting is also used on clothing | | | | crazy quilt that can be sewn by machine. |
| like vests and jackets. Some art | | | | Sometimes part of a crazy quilt is |
| quilters use crazy quilting as a part of | | | | haphazard while other parts are placed |
| their art quilts. Today, crazy quilting | | | | in a planned pattern. A common example |
| is enjoyed by quilters with an organic | | | | of this the placement of patches in a |
| approach to their art. They often use | | | | fan pattern. The patches and seams are |
| cast off clothing and photographs to | | | | then usually heavily embellished. |
| infuse the crazy quilt with meaning and | | | | |