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2020 crazy quilt block 4

2020 crazy quilt block 4

I have another block to share but before I do that ehe fun news is that I had a piece published in the C&T blog. 2020 Will Seem Like a Good Idea in Hindsight is lighthearted look at how I thought up the challenge. Check it out I think you will find it amusing. Hope it makes you smile anyway.

2020 crazy quilt block 4 by Sharon Boggon on Pintaangle.com Ok on with 2020 crazy quilt block 4. For those who have not encountered this challenge yet  the aim is stitch a crazy quilt using 2020 different items to mark the year 2020. You will find the guidelines, information and a list of free resources are here.  A photo of the finished block is above and the unembellished block is below.

2020 crazy quilt block 4 unembellishedAs you can see there are 5 pieces of fabric and and a lace doily which I hand dyed. Vintage lace was included as I pieced the block so that the ends were tucked inot the seams.

2020 crazy quilt block 4 patterm on Pintangle.comThe hexagon when finished and bound has 4 inch sides and is 8 inches from point to point across. Here is the pattern for those who want to use it.

Details on my 2020 crazy quilt block 4

2020 crazy quilt block 4 detailThe first photograph illustrates 2 details on the block. The first detail covers the seam of piece 4 and second sits in piece 1. Both these decorations are built on a foundation row of Feathered Up and Down Buttonhole stitch (counted on block 2)which I worked in a hand dyed silk buttonhole twist. This stitch is ideal for twiggy  organic lines. I got a bit carried away and used it to create a fan of lines which I then decorated in different ways. The blue thread was dyed in the same dye pot as the cotton doily on the block. These foundation rows of stitching were then further decorated with Cast on Stitch (counted on block 2) worked in hand dyed cotton perle #8. I added a seed bead in the middle of each circlet. The next line was decorated with bugle beads and seed beads. You can also see a small dragonfly bead stitched just above the spray.

2020 crazy quilt block 4 detailThe next line in the fan of Feathered up and down buttonhole stitches covers the seam between piece 1 and piece 2. Using a hand dyed cotton perle #5 I tucked two Bullion Knots (counted on block 1) between the forks. Between those I tucked two Straight stitches  (counted on block 1) using metallic Kreinik Fine Braid 9294.

In this photograph you can alos see how decorated the vintage lace. I threaded a hand dyed 4mm silk ribbon through the holes in the lace. I then added Fargo Roses (counted on block 3) worked in the same ribbon.

 

2020 crazy quilt block 4 detailThe last foundation row of Feathered Up and Down Buttonhole stitch is decorated with a series of leaves worked using Leaf stitch (not in the stitch dictionary but page 133 in my book)  using a greenish hand dyed 4mm silk ribbon the Fargo Roses (counted on block 3) worked in the same ribbon as I used to decorate the lace. The seam that runs up the side of piece 5 is decorated with Beaded buttonhole stitch which I decorated with cube shaped beads. The bow made of vintage rayon ribbon is secured first with very small stitches then some seed beads. I tucked a cluster of vintage buttons to one side and added the dragonfly below.

 

2020 crazy quilt block 4 detail

The doily was decorated with circular glass bead at the centre, 4 triangular beads (cheap plastic but worked) and 3 long ( approximately an inch) bugle beads. around the edge I added small metal flower like disks ( they are jewellery spacers) that are secured with a seed bead.

Count on 2020 crazy quilt block 4

Seed beads,  bugle beads are not counted

Fabric: 5
Lace and ribbon: 3 vintage lace,  doily and vintage rayon ribbon
Buttons: 5 Vintage buttons
Novelty beads: 5 cube shaped beads, circular glass bead,triangular beads, very long bugle beads, metal flower like disks
Charms: 2 dragonflies
Specialty threads: 6 hand dyed blue buttonhole silk twist, Metallic Kreinik Fine Braid 9294, 4mm hand dyed silk ribbon ( for the Fargo Roses) green/aqua 4mm silk ribbon(leaves)  hand dyed cotton perle #8, hand dyed cotton perle #5
Stitches: 2 new stitches Leaf stitch and Beaded buttonhole stitch

Total 28
Previous tally 92

Total of items to date 120

I hope you have enjoyed seeing what I have done on my 2020 crazy quilt block 4. Feel free to ask questions or simply leave a comment.

If you want to join the challenge the guidelines are here and the admins on the big Facebook groups Crazy Quilt Divas and Crazy Quilt International  are happy to see people share there work there. So follow the links and join the groups if you are Facebook person.  For those who have blogs you can leave your web address in the comments – each week as you progress. Instagram people can use #2020crazyquilt to share progress photos.

 

holding my book in front of quiltHave you seen my book?

My book The Visual Guide to Crazy Quilting Design: Simple Stitches, Stunning Results shares practical methods about how to design and make a crazy quilt. I teach you how to balance colour, texture and pattern, in order to direct the viewer’s eye around a crazy quilted project. I show you how to build decorative seam treatments in interesting and creative ways using a handful of stitches. My book is profusely illustrated as my aim is to be both practical and inspiring.

 

Stitchers Templatesusing my stitchers Templates set 2

As someone who loves crazy quilting and embroidery, I designed these templates with other stitchers in mind. With my templates, you can create hundreds of different patterns to apply to your stitching and crazy quilting projects. They are easy to use, totally clear so you can position them easily. They are compact in your sewing box.

For more information, see what they look like, find out about the free ebook of patterns visit the information pages in my shop where you can also purchase them.

33 Comments

  1. Hi Sharon, I am noticing that you put metallic/chrome jewellery bit on your crazy quilts. Are you ever worried about the metals tarnishing? I am planning to make a miniature crazy quilt to which I will be sending to USA! I am very unsure whether I should use any metals on the quilt. Can you give me some guidance here please.

    Julie Beard
    1. HI Julie – I dont worry about metals tarnishing as I figure it would give a patina to the quilt. Also many metals are not actually metal but painted plastic – the paint is more likely to wear off – and that is another worry. So I dont fret – I have found over the years that there is always something to worry about so I decided to aim to make something that would be worth while to restore to some future owner – if something went wrong. I do my best and time can do its stuff.

      sharonb
  2. Hi Sharon, I’m enjoying seeing your beautiful progress on the 2020 quilt. I’ve made a start – I’ve cut 8 hexi linings :). I’m hoping to do at least 1 a week , wishful thinking mayibe. Your lovely book arrived on Thursday and I devoured it in one sitting. Now to go back and really have a close look and learn lots of new things.

    Joan Flynn
  3. I keep on going back again and again to look at your blocks. Love them. Every time you show your latest, I think that is my favourite. They just get better and better!

    Rosemary Dempster
  4. Thanks so much for sharing your blocks – there’s so much inspiration in each one! I especially like the ribbon woven through the lace and embellished with the roses on this one.

    Your book is wonderful. I found the section on composition very enlightening, and look forward to improving my design abilities.

    Vanessa
  5. Apologies if its an obvious answer, but not being that familiar with crazy quilting… Do you make the block and then attach it to a backing fabric before embroidering? I’m assuming that based on your unembellished photo. Just wondering how you’d get it into a hoop otherwise. :-). Looks great by the way!

    Kimberley
  6. I live in Missouri in the USA and Monday will be in the path of the total solar eclipse. Of course I will have to do a block that will celebrate the occasion and be a part of my 2020 wallhanging. I’m rather excited to see what my reaction/interpretation will be.

    Barb, Ballwin, MO
    1. Hi Sheri – no I dont fret as such but I do think about it – usually things move along Ok sometimes I get a bit stuck and I pin it to my wall and let it sit while and usually after a break I can see what I need to do.

      sharonb

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