The Magic of Crazy Quilts

I completed my first crazy quilt for the 1000 silk ties project when four friends pooled their resources and used old silk ties to create a number of different projects.  In my crazy quilt the ties were mixed in with new silk pieces and a random effect was created, mainly using jewel colours.  As well as the silk fabric and silk ties there were some added patches made from images printed onto silk. 

 I was hooked!  As soon as the first quilt was finished another had to be started straight away, but what to do to make it a bit more interesting and exciting the second time round?  I started making a couple of blocks out of yellow/cream/tawny tones but once these were nearly finished decided making a whole quilt with this limited palette would be too boring.  So instead of that, the new plan was to make a "rainbow" effect through the quilt by making the blocks in different shades for each row so that the rainbow effect would appear.  This has been such fun to create, the first six blocks are almost finished now (30 will be needed) and they have been very enjoyable to work on. 

The reason for the name “crazy” quilt is not known; there is one theory that it stems from the “crazed” look of a cracked glaze on china.  It underwent a period of great popularity in late Victorian times and a resurgence during the 1930s and has never completely died out. 

The beauty of crazy quilting is that with only a small number of simple embroidery stitches an intricate, interesting and colourful effect can be obtained.  Also there is no exact counting to be done and it can be picked up when you have only a few minutes to spare and put down again without “losing your place”.  Small scraps of luxury fabrics, leftovers from other projects, sentimental mementoes such as laces donated by friends and family, special buttons, beads and charms can all be incorporated into your work.  Once your friends and relations know you are “saving up for a crazy”  you will be surprised what they find for you – old silk ties, silk scarves, sports prize ribbons and so on will all make your work unique and you will remember where your prize pieces came from each time you see your “crazy”. 

BASIC STITCHES

Straight Stitch (or Running Stitch)

Chain Stitch

Fly Stitch

Blanket Stitch

Herringbone Stitch

Feather Stitch

ADDITIONAL TECHNIQUES

Couching

Ruching/gathering

Lacing

POINTS TO REMEMBER

If you are frightened by the thought of a large project such as a bedspread you could start off with a cushion, table runner or Christmas table centrepiece.  Or a framed work of crazy quilt art could be the answer. 

Be inspired by the things you love, be they pets, hobbies and activities, family members or the natural world.  Take note of colours in nature which please you and use those combinations in your stitching.  Use materials from family members and friends to personalise your work.    

Try not to mix fabrics of entirely different weight – a lightweight silk next to a heavy brocade will cause extra stress on the seam and not be so durable.

Keep to a single “family” of colours for a more coordinated look, for example pearly pastels or darker colours all of the same depth.  Decide on a general colour theme before you start your work.  You can even sort your fabrics and threads into categories in this way if it is helpful.   

Look out for old handkerchiefs, laces and doyleys from thrift stores and relatives.  Ensure that if you are using old fabrics (such as old silk dresses) the fabric is still sound and will not deteriorate.

If possible avoid synthetics as they can melt with ironing.  Cotton lace rather than modern synthetic lace looks more authentic and is longer lasting.

“Let the thread do the work” by looking out for variegated threads.  These can be bought cheaply at emporiums or there are luxury silk versions available.

Try using perle cotton, crochet cotton and bargain threads from the $2 shop in your work. 

If you love it, use it!  There will be a way to incorporate your favourite bits and pieces into your quilt.  Resist the urge to save your favourite luxury threads for a “special occasion”. 

Do not cut very long pieces of thread to use – it is tempting not to have to thread your needle so often but you will get more tangles and knots.  Let the needle hang down from time to time and “unwind” if you are having problems with tangles forming. 

Look for ribbons to use to embellish your seams – some can be found at very reasonable prices.  Over-embroider ribbons which are a bit plain for your taste. 

If you are using old patterned silk ties alternate them with plain fabrics to prevent an overall “too busy” look – remember that your embroidery and embellishments will provide a lot of visual interest also. 

If you are adding buttons and charms try to put them on pieces which will not receive wear and tear – wall hangings for instance rather than bed quilts.  Use beading thread to attach them and secure firmly and add them when other stitching is completed.

If you wish to put ribbons along a seam it is a good idea to put them in at the “construction” phase when you are putting the “ground” together.  But if you decide to add them later they can be stitched along the seam.

If you have left over thread in your needle use it to make an area full of flowers composed of small French knots and lazy daisy stitches on one section of your block. 

When you find your work is becoming a bit “samey” (for instance you are repeatedly using the same stitch combinations) pick up a new block and work on that for a while or look for new techniques and inspirations on the block you are working on. 

EXTRA TOUCHES

Try using pictorial elements in your crazy quilt – look for fabrics with pictures on them and use them as patches in the quilt block.  Or you can print onto fabric using images scanned into your computer, but be aware that these will not be waterproof.  There is a product called Jiffy Jet Set which you can use to make your printing washable. 

Cross stitch on waste canvas – you can use waste canvas to create small cross stitch pictures and then when the waste canvas is removed you will have a cross stitch on your silk or other fabric which you can use as a patch. 

Embroidery of flowers etc – use silk ribbon embroidery or freehand embroidery to “draw” scenes which appeal to you.  Try creating pictures of your favourite animals, flowers and scenes. 

So give it a go and have fun, it really is only limited by your imagination. 

The Allure of Freaks

Now to call them freaks is perhaps overstating the case just a little.  But plants which are spotty, motley, stripy and variegated please me.  I know some gardeners (even some in my own family, I am ashamed to admit) detest them and won’t give them space in their gardens.  They feel that they are unnatural and unattractive, but to me they are all the more interesting because of their unusual shadings and markings.  I hadn’t thought about this until realising that in one patch of the garden at Shoestring Cottage they are all placed together in their own retreat from more mainstream plants. 

This wasn’t a plan, it just so happened that these plants suited similar conditions and there weren’t any other empty spaces to put them at the time.  So now we have the variegated dark purple/green leaved tradescantia, a couple of hostas, a lovely calla lily (thank you my dear friend Debi for that) and an unidentified purple/green spotty leaved plant which was growing as an indoor plant but seems to survive outside also.  All we need now are some variegated oxalis to complete the picture!  Long may they thrive and prosper. 

Once I got started with the variegateds there was no stopping me - I seemed to be drawn to them wherever I went.  This weekend without realising what I was doing I went and bought several more.  Really I will have to try to keep things under control or the whole garden will look as if somebody had thrown a lot of paint over the plants. 

And here are some more colourful specimens – coleus.  They were bought four to a punnet for less than $2 (true to the Shoestring Cottage principle) and add a spark of colour to the white iron table outdoors where we eat meals.  The beauty of coleus is that you can pinch out a growing tip and put it in water and within a few days have another plant.  So when they get scruffy and past their best at the end of summer take cuttings and pot them up, nurse them along in a warm bright place over winter and you will have a selection of them for planting outdoors in the spring. 

What do you think, are you firmly in the variegated camp or do you prefer your leaves green as nature no doubt intended?

Finding Comfort in Creating

We are enduring sad times in New Zealand and it has made me realise the comfort there is to be found in creative pursuits.  For me the process of creating is very soothing and relaxing.  It is the repetitive nature of hand sewing which I enjoy most, it becomes almost hypnotic for me; but others derive great satisfaction from different pursuits. 

One of my dear friends made this wonderful hat (notice the cream pouring) which includes an exact copy of her own cream jug, but made with papeier mache.  And matching it is this dress, using old embroidered tablecloths.

A new friend made these gorgeous earrings which she kindly gave me - they are a perfect match for the cream straw hat which went to art deco weekend this year.  The green jade lillies are so "deco" and this clever lady also creates intricate cross stitches which are exact representations of paintings.  Each work includes hundreds of colours skilfully blended and I can only admire her patience and perseverence. 

                                                

Giving gifts we have made ourselves is satisfying for both the giver and the receiver.  Here is a little bird nest brooch I made which included three "eggs", and I have given similar ones to friends.

The garden at Shoestring Cottage has been a very happy place this week.  Having never grown asters before they were just something to fill some space and the price was right ($1.59 per punnet) at the local hardware shop.  The cheerful colours and pompom shapes remind me of 1950s ladies' hats, so optimistic and colourful.  The only annoying thing is that I didn't realise there were two types for sale.  (I can't remember whether this was pointed out on the punnets.)  I seem to have a tall branching variety and a shorter variety, and of course the taller one is at the front.  C'est la vie. 

And one more bright spot has been this lovely depression glass dish kindly given to me by The Dancing Queen from Wellington.  It looks perfect in the rosy bedroom and catches the light beautifully, it is almost luminous in the evening when the sun is setting. 

The thing which has pleased Mr Shoestring most this weekend is the fact that he has found a pair of plus fours to wear to art deco weekend next year.  He did have some plus fours but they started out being cream and went transparent when he was rained upon one year and for some reason he never felt quite the same about them after that.  The plus fours he has now found cost $4 at the St Vincent de Paul shop in Hamilton.  He is gloating because they are pure wool and an attractive mossy green shade.  A tad snug but we will be able to take them out a little.  Lord Raglan will be very jealous; despite his aristocratic heritage Lord Raglan is very frugal and does not like to spend large amounts on costumery.