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A Tutorial How to Hand Embroider Crazy Quilt Seams

A Tutorial How to Hand Embroider Crazy Quilt Seams

ManyCrazy quilting beginners get stumped at the hand embroidery stage of a block. Β I decided to write Β a tutorial on how to hand embroider crazy quilt seams. You do not have to be an expert stitcher to embroider a crazy quilt block. What you need to do, is Β develop the ability to adaptΒ stitches and shape them to your needs. Β Today I will shareΒ how to use basic surface embroidery stitches to create seam decorations in your crazy quilt projects.

At the bottom of the article there is a link where you can download this tutorial as PDF and keep it as an ebook or a tablet, or you can print it out to store easily.

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-mixed crazy quilt stitchesThis is not a tutorial on how to work the stitches. If you need tuitionΒ Β you will find it in myΒ stitch dictionaryΒ Β it isΒ provided free here on Pintangle.

There are also the free modules in my stitchers worksheets which cover the basic stitches as well. Go get them! They are free and none of my stuff asks you to subscribe to anything, I don’t ask you for your email or ask you to join this or that. They are a simple give away.

How to Hand Embroider Crazy Quilt Seams

Most seam embellishmentsΒ Β used in crazy quilting consist of basic stitches combined and built row upon row on top of each other. These are the basic stitches of crazy quilting I recommend all new hands learn. The basic list is: buttonhole stitch, Chain stitch and Detached chain stitch, Cretan, Herringbone, Chevron, Stem stitch, Feather stitch , Fly stitch, French knot and Couching. Other people may add a few more stitches but if you have these you will go long way on a crazy quilt before anyone notices you are just using the basics.

Change your stitch direction, size and spacing

As you build your seams think in terms of adding variety by changing your stitches. You can so this by shifting stitch direction, Β and changing the size of your stitches such as going from big to small and change the spacing of your stitches from close together to wide apart. You can also work on both side of the seam or flip the stitches working alternately from side to side. All these little tricksΒ add interest to a line of embroidery.

Think about your thread choice.

Another tip is don’t forget to change the colour, thickness and type of thread. I see lots of people simply use stranded cotton floss. This thread is fine for cross stitch work but get some cotton perle thread in sizes #8 and #5 as so many of the surface stitches look much better when worked with s thread that has a firm twist to it. Β There are no rules in crazy quilting so I am not being dictatorial about it but it is my tip towards creating interesting seam work on crazy quilting. Also many stitches can be threaded and laced so don’t forget that you have option too!

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-detached chainDetached Chain Stitch (or lazy daisy stitch) is quick, easy stitch that is very versatile. You can work it in all sorts of formations along a seam, along side a piece of lace or a piece of braid.Β  A simple satisfying embellishment is to add straight stitches and a bead. You can add it to other stitches such as herringbone, or chevron stitch too.

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-CQ seam pattern 01

Here is an example of working a line of stitching and by adding a few beads in the middle of the motifs it createsΒ a bit of zest.

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-CQ seam pattern 02You can work either side of the seam, flipping stitches from side to side.

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-half detached chain daisiesOr you can zigzag the motifs along the seam like these:

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-CQ seam pattern 03Or zig zag them either side of lace braid or ribbon

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-detached chainYou can build little motifs up in zig zag bands

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-CQ seam pattern 04

Once you have tried these techniques ie working a stitch along a line, flipping a stitchΒ from side to side or placing it in a zig zag manner along the line, try building up more complex motifs by increasing the variety of yourΒ stitches and adding more rows of stitches.

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-detached chainIn crazy quilting your seam embellishmentΒ can be as complex, or as simple as you wish.

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-CQ seam pattern 05These could be worked in stem stitch for the stem, detached chain for the flower and leaf and the middle could be a bead or a French knot.

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-CQ seam pattern 06This seam pattern consists of a motif made of three detached chain stitches and two straight stitches. If you look at my work regularly, you will notice I use this combination all the time. You could finish them off with either a bead or a French knot.

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-detached chain and beasStitches like buttonhole wheels can be worked as halves or quarters and arranged along a seam.

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-Half buttonhole wheels You can work them in line or turn them on their side.

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-CQ seam pattern 07Or flip each half wheel from side to side.

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-CQ seam pattern 08

Here is another way to arrange them and what they look like stitched up in a crazy quilt project.

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-Half buttonhole wheels Or you can quarter the wheels and arrange them in patterns.

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-CQ seam pattern 09

For instance you can flip them from side to side too!

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-quarter buttonhole wheels It is simple and effective. You can work two lines face to face.

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-CQ seam pattern 10

Here is another way to use buttonhole wheels which can be arranged in a different ways. These are interspersed with straight stitch arranged in a ray. French knots, sequins or beads can be placed in the middle of each wheel.

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-CQ seam pattern 11

Often, the trick is to take a very basic stitch, work a row, and then add another basic stitch as a second row stacking stitches to create more interest.

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-CQ seam pattern 12For instance, you can work two rows of straight stitches in a zig zag formation, with the second row offset to form a line a diamonds. At the peaks you can work a fan of straight stitches, add a bead and you have an attractive seam. All from one type of simple stitch!

Or you could work the foundation row of zig zag stitches using stem stitch or chain stitch. If you did this it would create a more solid line.

This type of seam embellishment where you start with a line to follow (the first zig zag line)Β is an instance of where Crazy Quilt templates are a very handy addition to your sewing box as you can use them to produceΒ very even lines!

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-buttonholeHere is another example of how to build a seam layer upon layer in a crazy quilt project.

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-CQ seam pattern 13This foundation row is buttonhole stitch, which is then decorated with straight stitches and a seed bead. It is quite simple, quick to work and made up of basic stitches.

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-detached chain and buttonholeButtonhole stitch is an extremely versatile foundation row because you can change the height of the arms to form a pattern and Buttonhole stitchΒ will follow a curve well. For instance here we can add a fan of straight stitches to the top of the row and sequins at intervals along the bottom.

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-CQ seam pattern 14If you flip units of buttonhole stitch from side to side it leads to more interesting ways to combine stitches for your crazy quilt project.

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-CQ seam pattern 15Here is an arrangement of detached chain stitches and buttonhole stitch.

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-CQ seam pattern 16This pattern builds on the same idea and noticeΒ it is the same basic stitches which I haveΒ used. The stitches are arranged differently to create daisy motifs but they are the same basic stitch.

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-detached chain and buttonholeHerringbone Stitches have a zigzag like, crossed structure which means you can make all sorts of additions to a seam on the crazy quilt project.

CQ seam pattern 17-How to hand embroider crazy quilt seamsOn the top row straight stitches worked in a fan and beads have been added to the spaces between the herringbone stitches. On the second line detached chain, straight stitches and beads have been tucked into the base of the cross.

CQ seam pattern 18 How to hand embroider crazy quilt seamsChevron stitch is also a good foundation stitch for crazy quilters as you can add other stitches to the valleys and peaks. Straight stitches, detached chain stitches and beads have been added to the peaks of Chevron Stitch.

CQ seam pattern 19-How to hand embroider crazy quilt seamsOr you can tuck extra stitches into the valleys. In this case I have added quarter buttonhole wheels.

Chevron stitch -How to hand embroider crazy quilt seamsHere are some of my chevron stitch seam samples taken from my crazy quilts.

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams-Chevron stitch

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams feather stitch
How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams - CQ seam pattern 20

Finally, I could not write aΒ tutorial on how to hand embroider crazy quilt seams without including one of the all time favourites for crazy quilters, which is Feather Stitch because you can add stitches to the end of each arm or tuck stitches between the arms to create lovely complex patterns.

Since feather stitch follows curves well you can create a lovely organic movement acrossΒ a block using feather stitch. It is certainly one of my favourite stitches.

As you can see it is possible to build up quite complex patterns using these methods.

I hope this tutorial on how to hand embroider crazy quilt seams will give people a few ideas, and that you enjoy working and experimenting with some of them.

Other resources on Pintangle

How to hand embroider crazy quilt seams free CQ tutorial ebook coverYou can right click and Β download this article as PDF and keep it as an ebook on a tablet, or print it out easily.

If you need tuition on how to work embroidery stitches don’t forget my stitch dictionaryΒ  whichΒ isΒ provided free.Β There are also theΒ free modules in my stitchers worksheetsΒ which cover the basic stitches. Go get them! They are free and none of my stuff asks you to subscribe to anything,Β or join this or that. Like the PDF for this article they are a simple give away.

If you find this tutorial on how to hand embroider crazy quilt seams useful. If you do share where you found it – feel free to print it out and share with a sewing group or friend, social media etc. Have fun with your stitching while learning something new.

Have you seen my book?

holding my book in front of quilt

My book The Visual Guide to Crazy Quilting Design: Simple Stitches, Stunning ResultsΒ  shares detailed practical methods on how to design and make a crazy quilt. I cover such topics as fabric choice, tricky challenges like balancing colour, texture and pattern, and how to direct your viewers eye around the block. Β I cover how to stitch and build decorative seam treatments in interesting and creative ways. My book is profusely illustrated as my aim is to be practical and inspiring.

Stitchers templates

MyΒ templates aim toΒ help you take your stitching to the next level. With them you can create hundreds of different hand embroidery patterns to embellish your seams Β with flair.Β TheseΒ templatesΒ are easy to use, made ofΒ clear plastic so you can position them easily and are compact in your sewing box.

using my Crazy Quilt Templates set 2These are simple to use. You simply position the templateΒ in place and use a quilter’s pencil to trace along the edge of the template. Stitch along this line to decorate the seam.Β I haveΒ a free ebook of patterns to accompany each set which illustrates how they can be used.

TO ORDER your Crazy Quilt Templates see out shopΒ 

64 Comments

  1. Sharon, how do you choose your thread colors? Do you pick up on the colors in the block? Do you pick out the threads you are going to use beforehand? Seems like I am always searching, going through all of my thread (hoard) and trying to find the right thread. How do you do it?

    Beads too! Do pick them out beforehand? And do you do your beading as you embroider or at the end? Sometimes I do a nice combination, think I’m going to put a bead right there, and forget about it. Help!

    Thank you.

    Mary Rounds
    1. Mary I do what works – pick up colours from the block, apply colour theory, choose threads before and during the process – everyone spends more time going through their stuff finding the right bit! One tip I store everything by colour – so all blue stuff is together – red stuff together etc that includes lace, buttons, beads etc Then I am only searching through one lot of stuff

      sharonb
  2. bonjour
    juste pour vous demander s’il est possible d’avoir des modΓ¨le de points grazy ,explications en franΓ§ais .
    Et si il existe un livre que l’on peux avoir en franΓ§ais
    Merci pour votre rΓ©ponse
    je trouves vos rΓ©alisation super jolies j’aime beaucoup
    Anne

    Gaspar anne
  3. Que fineza en sus trabajos, Dios la siga bendiciendo , con su creatividad usted nos ayudarΓ‘ a crear mejores trabajos, son hermosos todo lo que nos comparte, mil gracias y felicidades a su familia por tenerla a usted .

    MarΓ­a ConcepciΓ³n Alvarez alvarez
  4. Thank you very much for this wonderful tutorial. I will certainly save this to print. Could you illustrate how to make a spider with beads on crazy patch.

    Jan Allery
  5. You are incredibly generous with your time, talent and knowledge Sharon. Thank you. Crazy quilting is very new to me, and with my just ordered stencils, I know I will enjoy following yours and others progress. Not game enough yet to do the hussif, but perhaps the next project. Hope your Easter was a peaceful one. Claire

    Claire Turner
  6. Thank you so much, Sharon, for the abundant generosity you have always had with sharing your talent! I have learned so much from you throughout the years and continue to. I will print this out and add it to my ever growing “Sharon Boggon Encyclopedia”

    Sherry Johnson
  7. Is it acceptable to use wools in crazy patch?I do use them when doing needle punch such as pussy willows.they actually look & feel like the real thing once they have been trimmed.
    I mean for some of the actual cp stitches.

    Shirley
    1. Shirley
      yes you can use any embroidery yarn in crazy quilting as there are no rules in this type of patchwork. I have even used knitting yarns – in fact I regularly do so! Use anything you can thread through the need eye!

      sharonb
  8. Thanks for posting. I have been practicing stitches before I even assemble my crazy quilt pieces because I know I will want to begin embellishment immediately after the piece is completed. In practicing, I’ve been using clear nylon thread for the the beading; what thread do you use when beading? Thanks for all your advice and beautiful inspiration.

    Lori Wagoner
  9. Sharon, Thank you for this gift! I have been saving many of your posts of photos of stitches for nearly a year. My sister, a wonderful friend and I are beginning a small project together to learn some of these fabulous stitches for Crazy quilting. We have perused several sample books, but this lesson has finally made it click for me… as far as beginning and building, not the overwhelming finished look. I can’t wait to begin now! Sharon from Washington

    Sharon
  10. Thank you so much! Your tutorial couldn’t have been posted at a better time for me. Just yesterday I finished piecing four blocks that I intend to do my first ever crazy quilt embellishing on. Right away I couldn’t decide what kind of stitch to try first. With your great suggestions for the beginner, I now have the confidence to get started. I am very excited.

    Pat
  11. You are a gem. Thank you so much for the wonderful tutorial. I have printed it off and will place it in my book with my class materials. After I finish my last quilt this week for our quilt show I will be doing a redo on my crazy quilt stash by color and getting ready to get into some serious encrusting of my two blocks. Thanks so much.

    Donna A
  12. Thanks so much for a great tutorial – in fact for all of the “lessons” you are giving! I am new to crazy quilting and embroidery, though I have worked with fabric and threads in other ways all of my life. Also, I have wanted to make a hussif for a while now. So this is the perfect opportunity to try out crazy quilting, learn some embroidery and make the hussif! I’m inspired now to get started laying out the fabric, then seeing how the design will evolve. Will try to post some pictures. Happy Easter to you, too!

    Susie Yaun
  13. Thank you for being such a sharing spirit. I have printed this out and added it my ever expanding library. I am looking forward to your next class and hopefully will be able to stay home and participate fully. Happy Easter!

    Judy Carlson
  14. Thank you for sharing this lesson. Combining stitches for seam embellishments is my personal challenge at the moment. I am enjoying it however, I sometimes get stumped as to what to add next. I am sure this will give me plenty of ideas to get over that hump and keep my seams interesting while leading eyes through my blocks. Thanks again for sharing this. Happy Easter to you.

  15. Thank you for sharing the seam treatments, Sharon. Wishing you also a Happy Easter. I have just finished a block using threads received from you in a baggie swap a few years ago, and found that they were perfect for the underwater theme of the block of blue fabrics.

    Alison Milani

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