Guess what this is going to be?
Crazy patchwork of course.
I have never before had a go at those stack and shuffle crazy patchwork blocks - mainly because I love love love chain piecing, sooooo quick to cut and to sew. I've learned from this that I'm not really a block by block kind of person. But I also love the random effect of the stack and shuffle crazy quilts and the thought that it might be quicker than piecing a crumb block. So ... my cunning plan was that if I made some red and white ones for Clare's Quilts for Leukaemia I could just make a few blocks without having to commit to making a whole quilt and find out if I liked the technique or not. Then ... I thought if I was doing a crazy block for Qs4L it would look pretty if I embellished it with a bit of ribbon and rick-rack and, shock, horror, use the embroidery stitches on my machine, which go unused from one year to the next.
Well, dear readers, I have to tell you - I nearly put my eye out - twice. Completely my own fault - kept forgetting to set the stitch back to straight when I changed the foot from the normal one to the 1/4 inch one and of course the needle hit the foot and splintered, both times. My machine was screaming at me - really, it sends out a high pitched wail when something is not right. Luckily there is no damage to me or the machine. And the crazy patchwork technique? Well, I might try it on a bigger quilt someday, but probably without the embellishments (unless I take the necessary safety precautions, like wearing a pair of goggles). And I have to agree with the criticism that you often hear about this method - there does seem to be a lot of waste.
17 comments:
Glad you didn't put an eye out! Lovely blocks though, they will look great in one of those lukemia quilts.
Glad your eyes survived *s* The crazy blocks look great and they are for such a wonderful cause.
Wow Fiona, I really love the crazy patch, it looks neat! I have to admit, I've done the same thing with my needle so many times, I don't think I could count them. My 1/4" foot now has a needle gouge in it from the many splintering needles. I rarely take it off straight stitch too.
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)
I love those crazy patches... & I dont like red! But those look great.
Be careful of your eyes!! I am lucky, I wear glasses or it could have happened to me too!.
Your crazy patch look fabulous & I think the idea of safety glasses next time would be a must for you!
Ouch -- but can't say I haven't done the same thing. Safety goggles is an idea.
I do like your crazy patch blocks -- and important lessons learned -- the technique is ok, say no to major embellishments, and a good cause helped!
Oh my - what a surprise when I called in today - so un-Fiona but all the more fun for being so. Yes it's a miracle that more of us don't end up in the eye hospital. These blocks seem such a faff so well done you for persevering with them they do look good!
I agree with Anne - so very unlike you. But they are gorgeous and beautifully sewn, despite nearly blinding you for life! Thank you so much for doing some more.
BTW I've tagged you.
Luckily you didn´t hurt yourself there. It happened to me as well but afterwards, I had to take my machine to the repair man! The crazy blocks are great and for such a good cause.
As I was nearly sure I wouldn´t win your nice bags (I never win!) I made two myself! Thanks for the idea, they are so fast. Take care.
Love your reds!! I've been using a lot of reds lately, too. Watch out for your eyes!!
I´m so happy that you and your eyes are safe! I´m sgure you will look all bext times to your machine if the feet is right!
Me too, because I´ve the same adventure some years ago. So I know it so well!
Take care!
The crazy blocks are wonderful and I love red and white. Well at least I'm not the only one that has broken needles the very same way....many times. And you're not kidding when the machine really makes a lot of noice.
Nice job. The reds look great ad the machine stitches are very cute. It is so stressful to change foots and break needles.
I have more then one machine so, when I'm doing a project with sewing and quilting I use two at the same time.
Fiona, I just love this red and white combination. Good for you for using your machine stitches, and for keeping all your body parts intact.
And I also like the crazy quilt technique you used. I haven't tried the stack and shuffle technique before, but I'm not quite sure I understand how this would waste fabric. Can you please enlighten me?
I'm pleased someone else does that!! That would be how i replace every needle!
The crazy patchwork looks fantastic-almost good enough to make me try...but not quite! Tracey
Lovely blocks - I love red and white together!
They look great. Clare will be pleased too.
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