Crazy Quilts- Use Of Embroidered Designs

Embroidered Designs

Embroidered quilts became popular since mid 1800. Ladies grew more creative and tried out various patterns and designs on their quilts. Quilts were becoming famous for not only warmth and comfort. They became areas to showcase talent and creativity.

Back in the 1800s, hand stitching was a common thing. Most of the clothes were hand stitched and people were experts in this. The art of hand stitching slowly made its way to designing quilts too. Crazy designs were gaining popularity and it is during this time that memory quilts made their appearance.

Many pieces of fabrics which were reminders of important life events, souvenirs or gifts from others were stitched into the quilt in random designs. Sometimes the seamstresses would stitch in the date of the event as well.

These were not used for the primary purpose of bedding. Rather they were preserved for decoration and memory sake. Later on these rare and crazy quilts were the source of information to all history lovers.

As women’s magazines also started gaining acceptance in many families, the ladies of the house were exposed to many more new designs and ideas. Some of the stitches used back then are still being incorporated today. The main stitches used were

· Honeycomb,
· daisy,
· perle stitch,
· herringbone,
· feather stitch,
· capped feather stitch
· Half daisy.
· French knots
· Detached wheatear

With the help of these stitches many beautiful quilts were designed. If you take a look at the industry today, you can still see many similar patterns being repeated.

Today one of the well known designers who use crazy quilting methods is Linda Atwill of Molly Mine. She has also written a book regarding the modern techniques in crazy quilting. Following the modern trends, she has adopted many themes like Christmas, Halloween etc in her designs.

Since time immemorial, crazy quilts have been around and they represent many cultures and are pictorial representations of life.

Read More