How to Quilt>Crazy Quilt

Once You Have Your Crazy Quilt Blocks Made, You'll Need to Sew Them Together

Sew your quilted blocks together using a time-tested, traditional technique called Quilt as You Go.

Whether you are making a crazy quilt or other type of quilt as you go project, this resource will show you two different methods for turning your blocks into finished quilts - quick and easy!

Crazy Quilts

Q: From one soon-to-be-quilter, I want to make a "Crazy Quilt," and don't understand the need to stitch the pieces to a backing pieces as I go along.
Thanks, Paula

A: Crazy quilts got their name because each block is made from pieces of fabric that are all different sizes and shapes as well as types of fabric.

For example, one block in a crazy quilt could include a scrap of velvet, wool, cotton, cordouroy, and cotton.

This crazy quilt appears to have velvet, cotton and brocade fabrics as well as others. Each piece is a different shape, yet you can see the straight seams that connect the blocks.

The shapes of the fabric pieces are also very different. Not even as simple as a triangle, a square, a rectangle, and a circle, the pieces are sometimes indescribable shapes - 5 sided pieces where none of the sides are the same length as any of the others.

Working with all of those different sizes and shapes makes it virtually impossible to sew the pieces together as you would a traditional patchwork quilt block.

So, quilters discovered that a successful way to use all of these odd-shaped fabric pieces was to stitch them onto a foundation piece, trim off the excess from the sides, and then sew the blocks together.

And then, to make the quilt even more interesting and ease the transition from one type of fabric to another, they embroider fancy stitches over the seams.

Crazy quilts are one of the oldest forms of patchwork quilts, and in many cases some of the most treasured. These quilts included fabrics from clothes as well as upholstery, draperies and other decorating fabrics that would remind families of home.

Once the blocks are finished, they are sewn together in layers. The block tops are sewn with right sides facing together. Then the batting is trimmed so the edges meet and then stitched together using a whip stitch (or overcast stitch). And finally the backing is trimmed and sewn. Usually one piece of backing will overlap the other with a seam allowance folded under and hand stitched closed.

The quilting on these blocks is done as each piece is sewn down onto the foundation. So, once the blocks are connected, and the binding is sewn on, the quilt is done and ready to use - or be given away!

For additional information about crazy quilts and instructions about making a crazy quilt, you might want to check out some of these resources at amazon.com:

Happy Quilting!

Penny is a quilter of more than 27 years who seeks to interest new quilters and provide them with the resources necessary to create beautiful quilts.

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