Crazy Quilt Block 72 is another ‘jewel tone’ block. This block forms part of the diagonal sweep of darker toned blocks that run across the I Dropped the Button Box Quilt.
Fabrics and Items used on this block
I made the I dropped the button box quilt as part of a Y2K challenge. The idea was to use 2001 unique pieces of fabric, lace, braids, charms, buttons or ribbons. In this series of articles, i have an ongoing item count. At the time of writing listing them helped me keep track!
Piece 1: Polyester and metallic thread
Piece 2: Brocade
Piece 3: Devore
Piece 4: Silk
Piece 5: Quilters cotton
Piece 6: Silk
Piece 7: Lycra
Piece 8: Polyester and metallic thread after 5 wear
Fabric: 8
Lace, braid and ribbon: 3
Buttons and charms: 5
Total items on this block: 16
Total tally of items on the quilt so far: 1380
How I embellished Crazy Quilt Block 72
A simple handy little seam treatment is a set of 3 straight stitches arranged in a arrow formation. For this seam used using cotton perle #8 thread. I then topped them with a sequin which was secured with a seed bead. Sequins are great to use but be careful not to iron them as they are plastic and will melt. (Don’t ask how I know)
One detail everyone responds to on this block is the vine of wisteria/grapes. The grapes are worked in French knots using a silk thread. The vine stem and leaves are worked in hand dyed rayon thread. The leaves are made of Detached chain stitch and the stems were worked in Whipped Stem stitch.
The first is a little detail is easily missed as the eye lands on the butterfly charm is a piece of dyed nylon lace that is secured with French knots. The fabric in the bottom right of the photo is lycra. It was some fabric left over from costuming. A fabric snob had annoyed me, informing me that only natural fabrics should be used on crazy quilt blocks. Well, I did not say anything but included some lycra from my stash in the block. The fabric really is kitsch with silver speckles. It annoys me when people say you can, and can not, do this or that. In crazy quilting as there really are no rules.
The next detail on Crazy quilt block 72 is a seam covered with a Chevron stitch. The foundation line is worked in rayon ribbon floss thread. Along the edge of the Chevron stitch are little floral motifs are made up of 3 Detached chain stitches. These are worked using a hand dyed cotton perle #8 thread. In the middle is a small dark blue bead.
Many crazy quilt embroiderers just love Feather stitch as it seems to flow over an area or a long a seam and seems to be stitched very quickly. This line of Feather stitch is worked it using cotton perle #5 thread. I then topped them with small gold bead.
The next detail looks better in life. I used Alternating up and down buttonhole to secure a metallic silver ribbon against the metallic weave fabric. It is hard to photograph as the light bounces off it. I used a hand dyed silk to work the Alternating up and down buttonhole. It is about the same weight and thickness as cotton perle #5.
This series are great to learn crazy quilting techniques, give you ideas on how to embellish your blocks and what stitches to use on your Crazy quilt seams. Each block is documented alongside a free crazy quilt block pattern. With each block I explain which stitches I used to cover the seams and I link to tutorials in my Stitch Dictionary. The technical details are included such as what threads I used, on what type of fabric, dyes used and if applicable I include design notes.
If you want to learn Crazy Quilting here are the links to the free crazy quilt block patterns in the series:
Block 1, Block 2, Block 3, Block 4, Block 5, Block 6, Block 7, Block 8, Block 9, Block 10, Block 11, Block 12, Block 13, Block 14, Block 15, Block 16, Block 17, Block 18, Block 19, Block 20, Block 21, Block 22, Block 23, Block 24, Block 25, Block 26, Block 27, Block 28, Block 29, Block 30, Block 31, Block 32, Block 33, Block 34, Block 35, Block 36, Block 37, Block 38, Block 39, Block 40, Block 41, Block 42, Block 43, Block 44, Block 45, Block 46, Block 47, Block 48, Block 49, Block 50, Block 51, Block 52, Block 53, Block 54, Block 55, Block 56, Block 57, Block 58, Block 59, Block 60, Block 61, Block 62, Block 63, Block 64, Block 65, Block 66, Block 67 Block 68, Block 69, Block 70, Block 71, Block 72 , Block 73, Block 74, Block 75, Block 76, Block 77, Block 78, Block 79, Block 80, Block 81, Block 82, Block 83, Block 84, Block 85, Block 86, Block 87, Block 88, Block 89, Block 90, Block 91, Block 92, Block 93, Block 94, Block 95, Block 96, Block 97, Block 98, Block 99, Block 100
All articles in this series can also be found in the Crazy quilting category and the Crazy quilt details category
If you enjoy this series you may be interested in a tutorial I have written. How to work decorative crazy quilt seams is a comprehensive tutorial converted to a pdf file. When I converted it I realised how comprehensive it was. At 19 pages of information it is a mini ebook and resource worth investigating!
My book on Crazy Quilting
My book The Visual Guide to Crazy Quilting Design: Simple Stitches, Stunning Results shares detailed practical methods about how to design and make a crazy quilt.
From fabric choice, to balancing colour, texture, and pattern, in order to balance and direct the eye around the block. I cover how to stitch, build decorative seam treatments in interesting and creative ways. My book is profusely illustrated as my aim is to be practical and inspiring.
what is the size of the block when finished? can I print out a larger size block?
Virgene my blocks are 6×6 inches. If you download the pattern you can scale it up in your graphics program. I have seen people make up the blocks in 8 inch and 12 inch. They both worked well
Bellissimo grazie mille di condividere
Love your work thank you for sharing the details