I’m a big fan of using doilies in crazy quilting.  Thrift stores are a goldmine when it comes to doilies.  I used to purchase any and all doilies that were small to medium size.  BUT, I found that the best are small lacey ones so I am far more particular in my selections than I used to be.  Avoid using the thicker more textured doilies as they can be more challenging to stitch and add a lot of bulk and weight to your CQ projects. 

When I start a CQ project, I always select at least one doily if not two from my stash.  These are dyed using whatever colours work with the project.  One doily can go a long way as I generally cut this is several pieces to add to different areas of my project. 

You will see the doily I have used in the lower right corner.  I opted for this placement in the block as there are several seams that meet so this is a way of disguising what might prove to be a challenging area for stitching.  I have overlaid the doily with small applique flowers that were also dyed.  These are held in place with a brad in the center.  Regretfully I have no source to share for the flowers as I picked these up many years ago.  Perhaps a better option may have been smaller flowers but I could not find anything else that would work so I made do.

The center seam treatment started with a wide zig zag using a silk thread.  I then added a series of straight stitches on the top and detached chain on the bottom.  A flower sequin was added to the top with a bead in the center.  I LOVE these flower/star shaped sequins which I picked up years ago at a quilt show I attended.  You can find them on the Colourstreams website although I suspect with a little research you could find them either at your local needlework or quilt shop.

To complete the block, I added a backstitched heart with hat charm.

Wishing all my fellow Canadians a happy Canada Day and all my American customers a happy fourth of July!

The post Doilies in Crazy Quilting appeared first on Colour Complements.

I have no doubt some of you cringe at the thought of spiders.  Today, let’s talk about spider embellishments in CQ.

I knew I wanted to add a spider to this area and naturally a spider needs a web.  I’ve stitched webs before but I felt this section needed a little more pizzazz.  While the base fabric is a shiny cotton it simply needed a bit more.

Let’s talk about Angelina.  No, not Angelina Jolie!

Angelina is a very fine unique fiber.  The fibers are fused together using a heat source such as your iron to form a luminescent, web-like material.  I start with a small piece of parchment paper folded.  I lay the Angelina in the center – a little goes a long way.  The paper is then folded over and apply heat with your iron.  It fuses creating a soft web as shown above.  I used to use it in fiber art and many spinners use it as well.

You will see the Angelina above under the web which was stitched with a fine metallic thread.  The spider was sewn in place after.  I picked up the spider from Susan Clarke Originals.

Hope you will experiment with some Angelina.

Since I have reviewed almost all of this block in previous posts, here is the entire block. 

The post Spiders appeared first on Colour Complements.

This is Block #2 complete in my current crazy quilting project.  I hope you enjoyed my previous posts highlighting some of my favourite tools and templates. 

Let’s review this block

If you recall, my plan is to include a handkerchief or section of one in each of the blocks for this project.  You will see this added to almost the center of this block.  It is a lovely corner with both lace and embroidery.  This was sewn into the seam prior to adding any embellishments.  I have added an applique floral motif which I painted with dye to loosely replicate some of the colours in the block. 

The beaded cabochon was part of a collection of painted porcelain circles.  I can’t recall at this time where I picked these up as they have been in my stash for some time.  Kathy Shaw beaded this for me – thank you Kathy!  It was placed to cover a small seam.

The central section was rather a large gingham silk strip so I overlaid this with some lace I had and further added some velvet brads. 

I may well add something in the lower left once I start sewing the blocks together.  This may balance the block as a whole as the majority of added embellishments are on the right side.  We will see!

Onto block #3 – stay tuned.

I’ll be taking a short blog break returning next Wednesday. Hope all of you enjoy Easter with family and friends!

The post Crazy Quilting Project appeared first on Colour Complements.

Last month I posted about my favourite crazy quilting tools.  Today, I am going to share some of my favourite CRAZY QUILTING TEMPLATES.

Through the years I have tried a number of different crazy quilting templates.  I have found all work well, it really simply depends on your preference.  I’ll focus on two that I use a lot.

Pintangle Crazy Quilt Templates

When I first started crazy quilting, I found Sharon Boggon’s Pintangle blog extremely helpful.  At the time she posted regularly sharing a variety of blocks and ideas for seam treatments.  Several years ago she introduced her Stitchers Templates.  You can create many different patterns to embroider in your CQ projects.  They are two sets of 4 laser cut plastic.  I like them for the versatility of seam treatments you can stitch.  BUT, I really like the fact they are small and easily fit in my needlework kit.  They are simple to use, just trace the design and start stitching. 

The templates come with an extensive e-book filled with patterns and designs that you can create with the templates.  A vast array of possibilities!

Super simple and I use them ALL the time.

Kathy Shaw’s Crazy Quilt Templates

I know some of you will be familiar with Kathy’s website Shawkl. Kathy published a book I believe last year called Stunning Stitches for Crazy Quilting. She designed her set of 54 clear acetate templates for marking embroidery stitches shortly thereafter.

Kathy designed these in five transparent and flexible template sheets.  They are then cut apart.  Each of the individual templates have tiny holes for the needle-up and needle-down positions to create either a seam design or motif.  There is a larger hole at the top to accommodate a key ring.

I have used one of Kathy’s templates to stitch the seam treatment shown in my crazy quilt block above.  I’ve used a combination of size 8 perle cotton and added some sequins. I’m really happy with how it turned out too!

Kathy also stitched the beaded cabochon in the photo.  She used to sell these but I’m unsure if she continues to do so. LOVE it – thank you Kathy.      

I should mention that both Sharon and Kathy have published Crazy Quilting books.  I have them in my collection and yes, they are worth checking out!

Do you have some favourite CQ templates?

Hope you are enjoying my crazy quilting favourites series.  Not sure what I’ll come up with next but stay tuned.

The post Crazy Quilting Templates appeared first on Colour Complements.

Block # 1 is complete in my current crazy quilting project. 

If you are just joining me for this series, I previously talked about using my collection of old embroidered tablecloths, runners and handkerchiefs. 

For years I collected odds and ends of embroidered items.  I had a number of tablecloths and small embroidered doilies, enough to fill two bins.  When I downsized several years ago, I spent quite a bit of time sorting through my accumulated stash of stuff.  I knew I would not have space in the new house, so it was a good time to purge.  As I had picked up most of these embroidered pieces in thrift stores, many had holes or were stained.  I cut out the good parts that I knew I could use and discarded the rest.

When I started to sew the blocks I attempted to include either a handkerchief or embroidered bit in each one.  You will see this in the upper left hand corner of the block.  I tea stained this piece as it was not in the best of shaped and stitched in place with beads in the scallops. 

I have mentioned many times before that I always like to include a button cluster.  They are a great way to use up your button collection.  I included a small charm as well as a sequin butterfly. 

Button Clusters

The lace in the lower right is overlaid which I did not embellish in any way since it already has a floral motif pattern.  The lace on the left seam was hand-dyed.  Since I included an embroidered polyester fabric (blue with beige embroidery) I did not feel the need to embellish this area further. 

I have left the purple silk on the left hand side free of any stitching purposely.  I like to have my crazy quilts machine quilted once complete.  I am lucky to have a very talented long arm quilter who is up to the challenge!  Tess will fill in this area with some machine quilting. 

That’s it for Block #1. 

What do you think?

The post Crazy Quilting Project appeared first on Colour Complements.

This is the third section of Block #1 in my new crazy quilting project. 

When I posted previously, I talked about collections of old embroidered tablecloths, runners and handkerchiefs.  I attempted to include at least one of these in each of my blocks and you can see this in the top left corner peeking through.  I tea stained the doily and cut a small corner off to add then stitched further with beads to the scallops. 

It is worth mentioning that I pick up doilies, runners, handkerchiefs from the thrift store.  Many of these can be damaged with holes or heavily stained.  I don’t hesitate with purchasing these as they are generally well priced and I know I can use “part” of the item.  Worth taking a look. 

Although I have shown some of this block in a previous photo, I did want to share the center seam treatment today. 

I have used a left over bit of my flat ribbon which I sell in my embroidery samplers.  This is a really fun fibre to use.  It lays flat similar to Neon Rays but it is a viscose knitted fibre so a bit stretchy.  It absorbs dye well so the colours tend to be quite vibrant.  Anyway, I used a feather stitch for my foundation with the flat ribbon.  I added seed beads to the end then filled in the spaces with small mother of pearl triangular buttons I picked up years ago.  There are seed beads in the center to hold the buttons in place. 

Remember, you can always find crazy quilting inspiration on Pinterest boards.

That’s it for today.  I’ll show you the final block next time so you can see how it all works together.

The post Crazy Quilting appeared first on Colour Complements.

Today, I am sharing the second section of Block #1.  I have not yet name this quilt and frankly, it may not become a quilt.  I am still pondering this.

Button Clusters!

I am a big fan of button clusters and like many of you, I have a collection of buttons.  Most came from a friend (thank you Pat) who had a HUGE stash, many of which were vintage.  When I started crazy quilting, I learned a lot from Sharron Boggon, an Australian crazy quilter who is a fabulous resource.  Her blog is Pintangle and well worth the visit.  She introduced me to button clusters and I like to use them in all my crazy quilts.   

Always choose an odd number of elements in my clusters.  For instance, 5,7,9 etc.  In this cluster, I have five buttons in varying sizes, colours and textures.  I added a small brass charm and a butterfly sequin.  I felt it needed a bit more so added some French knots.

At this point, it is a great idea to add fabrics that are patterned when you are sewing your blocks.  I have shown an example of this with the circular cotton fabric.  This gives the stitcher an opportunity to enhance the existing pattern which I did by adding backstitch around some of the circles using a size 8 perle cotton, Colour Complements Colour #37. 

The seam treatment below this started with using a circle template and tracing on half circles.  I stitched these with silk perle.  The centers are accented with a detached chain in a perle cotton and straight stitches on either size in a fine rayon thread.  This is finished with adding a flower sequin stitched in place with a seed bead in the center.

Overall, I am happy with this section of the block.  Once you see the entire block, you can see how it all works.  Remember, you can review all my crazy quilting if you check in Categories in the right sidebar. 

Stay tuned for the next section of this block.

The post CRAZY QUILTING appeared first on Colour Complements.

Today, I am sharing the first section in my new crazy quilting project.

When I posted previously, I talked about collections of old embroidered tablecloths, runners and handkerchiefs.  I attempted to include at least one of these in each of my blocks.  It didn’t always work out but I did try.  In the same post, I discussed fabric selections, colours and trims. 

Once all my blocks are complete, I randomly choose one to start and frame it up. 

Let’s get started!

I like to layer my seam treatments so I will describe how I do this below.

The seam treatment on the left began with a layer of hand-dyed lace.  This was one of those “bits” in my stash that worked well with the colour scheme in the block.  I generally use a thin strip of fusible and iron either my trims or laces in place PRIOR to my block being framed up. 

Once the lace was in place I added pearl seed beads accenting portions of the floral pattern of the lace.  My foundation stitch was a chevron stitch completed in a size 8 perle cotton. This was accented with cheater ribbon roses using 4mm silk ribbon in green.  I added a seed bead in the middle of each of these. 

The seam treatment on the right

began with a foundation of feather stitch using an overdyed rayon.  I added bullion stitches in a size 12 perle cotton with Colour #182. I opted to use the perle cotton as it has a mat finish versus a glossy thread.  This was to offset the background silks as they all have a sheen.  In retrospect, while I like the look, I think I may try a slightly more lustrous thread next time as I think it might look better.  What do you think?

Once both of these seam treatments were completed, I felt the tiny seam in the middle needed a little something so added very basic straight stitches in a wheel patter using size 8 perle cotton. 

I also opted to add a floral applique which I dyed drawing from the colours surrounding it.

You can visit my Pinterest boards for more crazy quilting ideas.

So, that’s it for today.  Stay tuned for another section of this block in my next post. 

The post CRAZY QUILTING appeared first on Colour Complements.

The start of a new crazy quilting project.

I don’t know about you, but I always get quite excited when I start a “new” project.  I love selecting fabrics, colours and embellishments.

When I was finishing up my black butterfly quilt from last year, I began thinking about what I would do for my next project. 

I moved several years ago which involved purging.  Over the years I had a collection of four bins of silks, satins, brocades, laces etc.   With purging I dropped to one bin which should probably last me for the remainder of my lifetime.  We all know, it does not take particularly large pieces of fabric for crazy quilting.

I will be sharing my process for my 2019 project today and again in upcoming blog posts.

So, let’s get started. 

My normal process involves deciding on a theme or colour combination but this year I did things a bit differently.  When I purged prior to my move, I had an assortment of old embroidered tablecloths, runners and handkerchiefs. 

Some of you likely have the same with the thought of keeping them for use in that “special project”.  I decided it was about time to use these treasures instead of waiting for that special project so I included as many as I could in my blocks.

I like to begin by clearing my workspace and sorting my fabrics into colours.  Then further sorting into fabric types – silks, satins, cottons, brocades etc.  Following this, I start pulling out trims, laces, applique motifs and ribbons.  I do often dye some of the laces to suit the chosen colour palette.

I cut my muslin foundation and start sewing blocks using Judith Baker Montano’s piecing method.  I choose two trims/laces/ribbons per block and add these as I sew.  Once the block is complete, I sew the edges to minimize fraying.  A serger would work well for this if you have one.

Usually I will make a minimum of 12-16 blocks of about 12 inches in diameter because I like to have a few extra just in case.  After this, I sew a 2” strip of scrap cotton or muslin in a solid colour to the edges with a long machine basting stitch.  I do this so I can stitch the block in a frame. 

Yes, I stitch all my blocks in a frame.  Many crazy quilters hold the stitching in one hand and stitch with the other.  But, I have always found this quite cumbersome and I prefer to have both hands free.  Naturally, this is a personal choice.

That’s it for today.  Stay tuned for my next post where I will discuss the next stage.  So, would you like to join me.   Why not sew up a few blocks and stay tuned.

The post CRAZY QUILTING appeared first on Colour Complements.

The FINAL block in my Black Butterfly CRAZY QUILTING adventure. 

To complete this block I added part of a hand dyed doily in the lower portion and accented this with seed beads.  A simple but effective treatment.

You can find all the posts relating to this project under Categories – Crazy Quilting – Black Butterflies in the right sidebar HERE.

In the past I have rarely left much in the way of negative space in my crazy quilt projects.  I purposely did so in this project for some machine stitching.  Tess of Wildflower Quilting Studio is a talented long arm quilter and has to date quilted several of my crazy quilts.  This is off to her for quilting.  You can find her on Facebook at Wildflower Quilting Studio

YES, I will be sharing the completed quilt in the future.  Now, what will be my next Crazy Quilt – lots of ideas so stay tuned.

The post CRAZY QUILTING appeared first on Colour Complements.