It has been a while since I have shared the progress for my 2020 project which is well overdue. I am still stitching it and probably it will become a 2021 quilt. I had trouble with my hands and a few other things happened which stalled the project. I am still stitching my 2020 blocks and they are bringing pleasure. My 2020 quilt block 24 has 46 different items on it! Even I think that might be a bit over the top. If you click on the image you can see a larger photo of the block.
This was my starting point for the 2020 quilt block 24. Many crazy quilt blocks start out looking a bit ho-hum. By the time a crazy quilt block is embroidered and embellished, it takes on a totally different look. I hope that sharing a photo at the start before embroidery and do-dads are added helps beginners to see that the stitching adds another layer of visual interest that can often pull a block together. So, if you are new to crazy quilting, don’t fret too much about how a block looks when you begin.
Feel free to use the block pattern of my 2020 Quilt block 24 if it appeals to you. My hexagons have 4-inch sides and measure 8 inches across from point-to-point but this pattern can be scaled up or down to what ever appeals to you.
The details on my 2020 crazy quilt block 24
The 2020 challenge is to use 2,020 different items on a quilt by the end of the year 2020. Well I did not make that due date but no matter I will keep on stitching! An item can be material, lace, braid etc or bead, do-dad, charm etc technique or stitch. Items can appear twice but must only be counted once. To find out more about the challenge, you will find the guidelines and list of resources here
The item count
Seed beads, bugle beads, and regular perle #8 and perle #5 thread are not counted.
- Beads: 14
- Braids: 2
- Buttons: 8
- Fabrics: 5
- Lace: 2
- Lace motifs: 2
- Stitches: 6
- Threads: 7
Total 46 items on my challenge block
The Tally from previous blocks is 744
2020 quilt block 24 brings the total of items used to date to 795 I feel I am beginning to get there!
More about the details on 2020 quilt block 24
Links in the information about the details go to tutorials that relate to the stitch. The first detail is a small floral cluster that is made up of Chain wrapped Bullion knots worked in a #8 cotton perle thread to make orange/yellow daisies. Ferns stitch creates stems for little French Knot flowers worked in a hand dyed #8 cotton perle thread. Also in the photograph you can see that the seam between patch 1 and 2 is embellished with Beaded Buttonhole stitch worked in another hand dyed #8 cotton perle thread. Small lace motifs of flowers and novelty beads in the shape of a flower finish off the spray.
To decorate the lace on this seam I first stitched down the vintage pale apricot beads. Between the beads I worked Buttonhole bars in hand dyed variegated perle #8 cotton thread. Had fun doing these. Along the edge of the lace I stitched a vintage braid. Below that I worked scallops (traced off using my stitchers templates) in coral stitch. Heart shaped beads were stitched at the peak of each scallop. Each heart is the same size but different.
2020 quilt block 24 also has a number os vintage buttons added to it. They side near tatting and another fine braid that cover another seam on the block.
I hope you have enjoyed reading about this block. If you want to see my other blocks you can find them under the 2020 Crazy Quilt Category.
Are you interested in crazy quilting? If so you may be interested in a tutorial I have written on how to work decorative crazy quilt seams. I converted the tutorial to a pdf file (a link to the download is in the article) When I converted it I realised how comprehensive it was. At 19 pages of information it is a mini ebook and resource worth investigating!
Have you seen my 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 and they are compact in your sewing box.
To see what they look like, find out about the free ebook of patterns that come with them visit the information pages.
Or go directly to the Pintangle shop to purchase them.
I have also written a book
My book The Visual Guide to Crazy Quilting Design: Simple Stitches, Stunning Results
Beautiful and love the colours and the fabrics of this block!
Hugz
Looking good! I’m very behind with all my projects too, so I sympathise there.
BTW, a friend bought me your CQ design book last weekend and I’m enjoying it very much! I think this is something I could get into a bit. 🙂 I’m reading through first and am on the colour theory section. I love the design emphasis as design confidence is definitely my weakness.
Hope all’s well down there. Love from the Plague Island!!!! 😉
HI Elizabeth great to hear you like the CQ book – I find crazy quilting can get a bit much very easily – I use design principles to control it.
This block is gorgeous, the stitching is exquisite! I love the laces and color scheme too…Really impressive, Sharon, no matter the time.
Thanks Marianne I do feel a bit guilty not meeting the deadline but that is life
Love this. I was initially inspired when I accidentally happened upon TAST about 2 years ago. Now, I’m working on a vintage linens quilt, and finding the stitches are useful. I’m not into so much bling that the quilt is unusable, geared as I am to making useful items that can withstand being dragged around the house/yard/tent, etc. But, as I’m also revamping a 25 year old quilt that’s seen some better days and too sentimental to destroy, I’m going “crazy” with slapping down whatever scraps are handy, and using the TAST stitches I learned from your page to connect them. I’m not at a picture point with it at the moment, having just finished the edges, and making up blocks for the middle, but soon. Thanks for all your inspirations!
Thanks Bear enjoy your restoration – revamp project
WOW! That is so beautiful! Love, love, love all the stitches, beads, lace, etc. Awesome work
That block is just gorgeous just like all your blocks. I find myself drawn to pinks shaded toward yellows and melon tones. Maybe I’m craving spring? Or cantaloupe? I’m laid up with a bad hip so I’ll have more time to practice crazy quilt stitches. Hope you and yours are well. Hopefully in 2021 we’ll beat this Covid thing. I wish our government had adopted even a fraction of the measures your country did. There would be a lot more people still with us.
Andrea I vote for craving cantaloupe it is Summer here and I have one in the fruit bowl just waiting to be eaten! Thanks for your wishes – I hope your hip gets better. In the meanwhile enjoy your stitching.
OMG, Sharon, beautiful – as always!!!! Wish I had an ounce of your amazing creativity. Your creations always take me to a happy place as they somehow evoke a primordial nostalgia in me – something to do with childhood and carefree times. Happy New Year to you and all those Down Under!!!!
Barbara Mack
Barbara thankyou that is a lovely compliment!
Gorgeous block. I appreciate you sharing the details and links to instructions. I also feel better about my unfinished 2020 quilt. Can I use reading your book as a good excuse?
Mary Ann LOL yes of course that is totally valid excuse!
Love your work
Thanks Eileen
Slow n steady wins the race . Just beautiful work
Thanks Cindy
Hi Sharon, what a pretty block!
Unfortunately I haven’t been able to finish my blocks. I ran out of the silk I was using to back and bind. However I have made 93 blocks and used 1,968 bits. Had I had any more backing fabric I could have finished it. All is not lost though. I’m planning on doing the remaining blocks and using them for another project.
I’ll post a photo on Creative Embroidery when I figure out how to get the photos off my new phone on to my new computer. I hate technology!
Joan you could easy finish it when the backing fabric arrives – you are so close!
Sadly the silk I used was given to me by a friend who bought it in China so can’t be replaced.
What a beautiful block.
Thanks Sally
Gorgeous block! Maybe it isn’t a late 2020 quilt, but an early 2025.
Marci that is so tempting – I made jokes about it when I started. I will see how the next few blocks go but it might be a very slow finish.