How to Make a Crazy Patchwork Quilt

Crazy patchwork quilts are visually stimulating and can reflect family history. Scraps of material are used to create an interesting collage of fabric colors, pattern and texture. There is no set pattern to follow nor a specific embroidery stitch that is required to add embellishment to the top of the quilt. The crazy patchwork quilt commonly uses worn out clothing and scrap material to create another useful object. Recycling, rather than being a new trend, was used by our ancestors in creating the wonderful antique crazy patchwork quilts that we see today.

Things You'll Need

• Scrap material
• Scissors
• Muslin
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Needle
• Embroidery Floss
• Quilt Batting
• Quilt Backing

Instructions

1. Wash, dry and iron all fabric to be used in the crazy patchwork quilt. Cut off any strings. Cut the scrap material into manageable shapes no larger than 8 inches.

2. Place the first scrap-fabric shape right side up anywhere on the muslin and pin into place. Place the second scrap piece of fabric right side down on one of the raw edges of the first piece. Use a 1/4-inch seam and sew from edge to edge of the second piece. Flip the second piece over and lay it flat. Finger press the seam and pin into place. Add the third piece of scrap fabric on a raw edge of scrap fabric and sew into place. Flip and lay flat. Finger press the seam and pin into place.

3. Repeat the process until the muslin is covered with crazy patchwork scrap fabric. Cut pieces into different shapes if necessary to fit. Remove all the pins

4. Thread the needle with a 36-inch piece embroidery floss to begin embellishing the quilt with the buttonhole embroidery stitch. Tie a knot in the end--do not double the thread. Bring the end of the needle up from the back of the muslin to the corner of a patchwork quilt square. Place the needle in the fabric 3/8 inch diagonally up from where the needle was inserted. Bring the point out from under the top fabric at the seam and over the embroidery floss. This will create an "L" shape. Repeat this process along the edge of each scrape piece of fabric.

5. Cut the scrap on the edge of the muslin so the edges are straight. Place the crazy patchwork quilt right side up on the floor and smooth out any wrinkles. Place the backing material right side down on top of the crazy patchwork quilt. Place the batting on top of the two pieces and pin the edges.

6. Sew a 1/2-inch seam on the edges of the crazy patchwork quilt top on the sewing machine, leaving a 12-inch opening on one edge to turn right side out. Turn the quilt. Turn under the edges of the opening used for turning 1/2 inch. Pin the opening together. Blind hand stitch the opening together to complete the crazy patchwork quilt.

Tips & Warnings

• The muslin can be sewn together to make the size quilt top desired. Add the scrap pieces of fabric to the muslin backing.

• A binding may be used to finish off the quilt. To do this place the backing right side facing down. Place the batting on top of the backing. Place the crazy patchwork quilt right side facing up. Pin the edges. Pin the binding around the edge of the quilt and sew on the sewing machine.

References

• Threads Magazine: Crazy Patchwork by Machine
• Craft Ideas: Mini-Patchwork Block Instructions (also known as Crazy Patch)

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Caron Collection: Leslie Levison's Crazy Quilt Patchwork Block Online Class