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