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.
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.
As 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.
The 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
The 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.
The 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.
The 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.
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.
Have you seen my book?
My book The Visual Guide to Crazy Quilting Design: Simple Stitches, Stunning Results
Stitchers Templates
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.
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.
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.
Such a BEAUTIFUL block!
How different this looks from the previous block – love the fresh, and for a cq block, unusual colours.
You have made great use of the floral print of that fabric.
Thanks Queenie!
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.
Have fun with your Hexies Joan – the main thing is to enjoy the process and I am pleased you enjoyed my book
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!
What a wonderful block! You are really a great artist with your needle and a great inspiration for me.
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.
Thanks Venessa I am pleased you liked the design chapters in the ok as for me it is key to Crazy Quilting
I love this one. The colours are beautiful. Congrats. Ann
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 – you make the block then embellish then back it – hope that makes sense
Sharon, Congratulations on a wonderful, fun article. Thank you also for your new book. It arrived last week! Can’t wait to get stitching.
Thanks Paula I am pleased you enjoy it – have fun with your stitching too
Dear Sharon, I share with you the joy of the published article. Your work is so excellent and so pleasing.
Thanks Anneliese!
Totally impressed with this block. Lovely configure of design and fabric selection.
I love your dragonfly charms. Sharon you are an inspiration. I have decided to join in the 2020 challenge. Now that the family reunion my husband and I hosted is over, I can start my first block.
Pleased you are joining in Kathy – people can join anytime as we have long enough lead up to 2020 -have fun with the challenge!
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.
Your blocks are so amazing. I envy your talent!! Thank u for sharing!!
Absolutely stunning work, Sharon!
I love the cast on flowers, and how you tacked on the blue ribbon, very creative.
Thanks for sharing!
What do use to back these and what kind of fabric do you use for binding. Do you bind it after embellishing?
i am enjoying this so much, thanks for all you do, and share.
Thanks Janet – pleased you are enjoying it – I am too!
Prettiest yet.
Thanks Jackie I liked working with the cornflower blue
I love this block! It is such a perfect little composition. What a lot of work. I am enjoying watching your process.
Maureen
Thanks Maureen – It didn’t feel like a lot of work
You do such beautiful work and you make it look so simple. Do you fret over every seam like I do or is your inspiration free flowing?
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.