Comprehensive book
This is a comprehensive book aimed at those people wanting to create crazy quilts with a little more structure. The quilts here retain the order of pieced quilts but the blocks that make them up are more spontaneous. Divided into two main sections, the book looks at the mechanics of crazy quilting and explores different approaches to creating blocks, whether it be with freezer paper templates, cardstock or from starting in the centre and piecing fabric outwards (some of these techniques were introduced by Judith Baker Montano). An overview of assembling and finishing quilts is covered in this section and is then followed with a look at good crazy quilting stitches, either by hand or on the sewing machine. A handy aid is also introduced. In her book ‘Embroidered Crazy Quilt Seam Coverings’, Kelly Gallagher-Abbot included four templates, called Crazy Quilt Grids, which you can use to mark stitch placement and ensure an even finished line of stitches. Alternatively, Tiger Tape can be used (this can be bought in the UK). Moving onto the projects, there are ten included in the book and these show a good mix of traditional with crazy quilting. Crazy Bow Ties intersperse Bow Tie blocks with blocks created in the methods covered at the start of the book. A variety of fabrics, materials and sources are used to make each quilt interesting. Wool felt, plaid, silk and flannel are all used to create very different quilts and the Amish-inspired ones are particularly striking in their use of bold colour. It is a good book to have if you are interested in taking a small step away from wholly traditional quilts, wanting to inject a bit of life into its construction without abandoning the security of the old ways. This book shows that you can retain this without sacrificing spontaneity and colour, and it’s a refreshing approach to take.
