Coming Soon Lesson 8

I just finished typing up Lesson 8 of my Crazy Quilt Color and Composition Course so I thought for today, I'd share a little sneak peek:

In this lesson, we'll be covering Stumpwork Embroidery with thread wrapped beads.

Jason will have this Lesson ready to order in about a week so please keep your eye on my blog.  I'll let you know when it's ready.

Crazy Quilt Classes Lesson 4

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!  Lesson 4 of my Crazy Quilt Color and Composition Class is now available:

The theme is Flight Of The Bumblebee.  The colors are yellow, white and green.  The only specialty items needed is a small black button and a piece of lace with a defined pattern.

Tutorial for the Japanese Ribbon Stitch can be found here.

Lesson 5 will be released on April 30, 2013.

More Crazy Quilt Lesson 1 Blocks

I have a few more blocks from my Color and Composition Lesson 1 to share with you today.  This is Maria's block:

Maria did an excellent job with the forget me not flowers and encouraging the eye to move around the block using blue.

And this block was worked by Joyce:

Joyce gave her block a very strong feeling of Valentines Day.  Again, an excellent use of the color blue.  I love the beads around the stitched "forget me not" piece.

Thank you Ladies, for sharing your blocks with me and allowing me to share them here on my blog.

If ya'll stop by tomorrow, you'll get to see my latest purse!

How To Assemble A Crazy Quilt - Steps 5 and 6

On to steps 5 and 6 of How To Assemble A Crazy Quilt.

Step 5

At this point, we're going to add the sleeve for hanging the quilt.  It will be done entirely by machine so no hand sewing will be necessary.

First, you'll want to trim away the excess foundation fabric as I've done here:

If you find you need a helper, one your cats will always be more than willing.  A little too willing!  LOL!!!  This is Simba!  He always helps me assemble my crazyquilts.

To make the sleeve for my quilt, I cut a piece of the backing fabric about 2 inches narrower than the width of the quilt.  The length will be determined by the width of the rod used for hanging.  In my case, my quilt rod is 1 1/2 inches around so I cut my sleeve approx. 9 inches in length.  Yes, I make my sleeves much bigger than I need:

Fold this piece in 1/2 lengthwise and sew up the side seams:

Turn this piece right side out and press the seams.

Top stitch the raw edges along the top of the sleeve:

Next, you're going to want to cut your backing fabric the same size as your quilt.  I use a heavy Quilter's Cotton on the back of my crazy quilts:

At this point, you're also going to want to make sure your quilt is square and the edges are straight.  If you made sure your squares were square and straight and when you sewed the blocks together, your quilt should be square and straight.  The edges might just need a little trim so do that now.

Next, pin the sleeve, with the raw edges at the top of the right side of your backing fabric.  Pin, pin, pin!  Use a 1/4 inch seam allowance for this step.  When you have the raw edge sewn down, top stitch the bottom edge of the sleeve onto the backing fabric close to edge.

Remove all pins and press the backing fabric.

Step 6

With right sides together, pin the quilt top to the back making sure that your sleeve is at the top of the quilt:

Pin, pin, pin!!!!!  Pin the top of your quilt to the back of your quilt.  You'll be sewing this like a pillowcase.  You will have to leave a large opening at the bottom of your quilt for turning right side out.  I start at the bottom, sew about 6 inches, turn and sew all the way around until I get back to the bottom and then sew only about another 6 inches.  Again, I use a 1/2 inch seam allowance on crazy quilts.

When you're done sewing, remove all pins and trim the corners so they don't bunch up then carefully turn your quilt right side out.  Press the seams and then hand-sew the opening closed using a blind stitch.

I will have the final step for you soon.  In the meantime, be sure to see the entire How To Assemble A Crazy Quilt Tutorial.