J. Marsha Michler - Crazy Quilting - The Complete Guide

A Thousand Stitches combines several concepts that are covered on the following pages: whole-quilt center, block-style border, checkerboard sashing, corner block fans, and edges finished with a binding.

Your patching method is a determinant in the style of a quilt. Machine methods, for instance, are easier to do on smaller areas, so blocks are the answer. The Antique method lends itself to large areas, making the whole-quilt style appropriate. Strip-patching creates bands that can be sewn vertically or in other directions.

Other aspects of quilt design involve dividing the quilt top into areas separated by sashings, using pieced fans in various ways, and whether to add a border. These elements not only determine how the area of the quilt top is used, but they are important to the decor of the quilt as well. Borders, for instance, can be patchwork or treated to appliqu, embroidery, or other design work. Working embroidery on sashings softens them and adds to the detail of the quilt.

Browse through this section, then sketch some of your own quilt ideas. Putting outlines on paper will help you to visualize a finished quilt. Decide how large you want the quilt, then figure what size to make each area. Add an amount of seam allowance for sewing the pieces together. Cut out foundation fabric for each piece. Even if a piece is not crazy patched, it should be backed with the same foundation fabric as the patched areas so all parts will be more equal to each other.

The parts of a quilt can be sewn together after blocks are patched and before embroidery, or after the blocks are completely finished. It all depends on how you prefer to work. After the quilt top is assembled, consider working a line of embroidery along each seam. This helps the seams to blend and is an opportunity to work meandering vines with leaves and silk ribbon flowers.

Blocks divide a quilt top into manageable portions. The blocks for a quilt top can be made square or rectangular, large or small. Mix block sizes in a quilt, or make them all the same size.

There is no standard block size. Some people find 6 square blocks too small to work on, while others thrive on small areas. You will have to find what works best for you.

A perceived drawback of this style (for some) is that the quilt appears to consist of blocks. And why not, if it is? If you wish to conceal this fact, leave some patches hanging at the edges and appliqu them onto the adjoining block after blocks are sewn together. Or, elegantly blend them by working lines of embroidery over the seams.