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