Over the past few years, I've had many stitchers email me asking what can they do to get their crazy quilt blocks to look like mine. I always tell them that they don't want their blocks to look like mine. They want their blocks to look like their blocks.
I've been thinking about this on and off over the past few months, trying to determine what it is about my CQ work that stitchers are attracted to. I think I've come up with a few answers.
Color & Composition - I think the biggest concern that stitchers have with Crazy Quilting and any collage work for that matter, is learning how to compose a block and learning how to use color. Color can make or break a piece.
Certainly, antique crazy quilts had nothing to do with those aspects. They were about using scraps and showing off needlework skills. But modern crazy quilting has more of a focus on design elements and embellishments. The crazy quilting we do now tells a story. And stitchers who are relatively new to CQ work are at a loss as to "what to put where".
Techniques - Let's face it, there are more options available to us now than ever before! There is no limits to what can be added to a crazy quilt block. Any type of needlework and embroidery skill can be used. There are so many different stitches that can be done. How does one choose?
Embellishments - And then there's the embellishments! What to add, what not to add, what works, what doesn't work. When is enough, enough. How do you know when you're done. These are the questions I've been asked repeatedly over the past few years.
Finish It - And then there's "what to do with it when it's done". Certainly no one wants to put a beautiful stitched piece in a drawer.
Also through doing these projects, you will learn how to do a huge variety of techniques, how to and what to embellish with and how to finish your projects. Yes, some sewing techniques will be included as well. Each project will be finished into a useable or decorative item. Nothing will be sitting in a drawer! And you'll learn how to tell a visual story!
Ongoing Classes - My Crazy Quilt Mystery Project Classes will be an ongoing series of projects and through doing these projects, stitchers will learn basically, how to make their crazy quilt blocks look like mine but, with their own special touches. Crazy Quilting is an art form and in time, stitchers will develop their own style that will make their pieces unique to them. But you have to do it to develop your style.
What's The Mystery? - Now that I've told you what you'll be learning through these classes, you're probably wondering what the mystery is. Each project will be a specific finished item with a theme. Each project will have several requirements, for example, a certain stitch may have to be used, or a certain handmade embellishment may be required and most of the projects will require certain colors. That's the mystery. You won't know what you'll be doing until you do it. And the more mystery classes you take on, the more you'll learn.
Patterns - All necessary patterns for each project will be included. All finishing directions will be included and I will show a finished example at some point along the way to help you but please keep in mind, you don't want to copy what I do. You want to do it your way, but with my guidance.
Class Fee - I'm thinking of a fee of around $10.00 per mystery class. I want to keep this affordable for everyone.
So does that sound like fun? My list of projects is already a mile long so there is a lot to learn. You choose which projects you want to take and which you don't. Each project will have a "theme" and "learning focus" so you'll know in advance if you're interested. You just won't know what exactly you'll be making. Oh, and in some cases, we may be doing some blocks that can later be put together into a wall quilt!
Flickr - When we get a little closer, I'll set up a Flickr group for everyone to share photos and chat about the projects.
I think this will be a really fun way to learn and a great way for stitchers to get together and discuss the art crazy quilting. And you don't have to be an experienced crazy quilter to do these projects. Just some knowledge of piecing a block (I use the sew & flip method) and basic embroidery skills are all you need for these classes. But advanced stitchers will enjoy them too! And at some point, we will get into some other piecing techniques as well.
Let me know what ya'll think and if you have any questions.
I'm still working out the technical aspects of presenting the projects. I'm leaning towards Magcloud publications because I think that may be the easiest option for everyone. If anyone has any other ideas, please let me know.
