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