Crazy Quilt

Crazy Quilt

Quilting Tools: A Stimulating Piece Of Quilting History

The European and American quilting tradition was started as a way to add warmth and weight to the undergarments for armor. From that beginning the tradition diverged slightly.

Some European, Victorian age, quilters used every scrap of cloth they had left over from other projects in piecing together what was know as a crazy quilt. Many of these were often used as decorative showpieces for their homes.

American quilters on the other hand, of necessity, created quilts that were more utilitarian in design. They used what material that they had on hand, such as feed sacks, for their fabric blocks to save money. Their aim was to keep their families warm on cold nights and, at times, to make a living selling quilts to single men.

No single design is known to dominate the tradition of quilting. The eventual purpose of the finished quilt, region, or religion often influences the design chosen. Sometimes because of the scarcity of paper and ink quilts were used to record national, local and family history.

Quilts were also used to express caring and friendship to close friends. The friendship quilt was one used for such a purpose. Contributions of blocks or pieces of fabric would be made by a group of quilters to make a quilt for someone special to them. Once there was enough material gathered then the group would come together in what was known as a quilting bee, or circle to finish the quilt.

Another version of a friendship quilt is called an autograph or signature quilt. The community, family, or friends would asked to sign their names on quilt blocks, or pieces in recognition of an individual. Then the quilt is put together by an individual, or a group, as a remembrance of an event of some importance in the life of the recipient.

Not every signature quilt is, or was, created for showing friendship. The raising of funds was the goal. Autographs of notable people are collected on quilt blocks. The blocks would then be sewn together to make a quilt that would be auctioned off, or raffled. Another way the signature quilt would be used in raising money was to charge a fee to those in the community who wished to sign a quilt block themselves.

The crazy quilt design was another way that quilters could raise money for a good cause. They would write to famous people asking for clothing scraps to sew into their quilt. When they finished their quilt it would be auctioned off.

Practicers of the art of quilting are able to use their skills for more than just the providing of warmth or weight to undergarments. Preserving memories and the raising of funds for charity is also a significant part of the tradition of quilting.

About the Author

Quilting is the process of stitching together two layers of fabric that is filled with a soft textile - usually cotton. You will need some
quilting tools
and depending on the complexity, maybe even a
long arm quilting machine
. For more free information, please visit our website now.

Where is the best site for quilting?

I am a beginner and interested in 'crazy quilting'. Any ideas or tips?

The aim of this web site is to provide a centralized location
for resources and information about the art of crazy quilting
past, present, and future - both on and off the Web:

http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Lofts/6531/

Crazy Quilts most likely evolved as a way to make use of every scrap of fabric. Traditionally stitched to a foundation fabric, using a similar technique to today's foundation paper piecing. The seams lines were often decorated with embroidery stitches:

http://www.nmia.com/~mgdesign/qor/styles/crazy/crzayqlt.htm

Leslie Levison's
"Crazy Quilt Patchwork Block" Online Class:

http://www.caron-net.com/classes/classmayfiles/clasmay1.html

How to Sew -- Crazy Quilt Christmas Stocking