Crazy Patch: from utilitarian patchwork to embellishment utopia

Crazy patch embroidery.

Patchwork in colonial times was born from necessity. Evidence and documentation on this can be found in journals and diaries from those times. In the late nineteen century, however, this humble piecework was elevated to new heights as women needleworkers became inspired by exhibits of Japanese ceramics at the 1876 Centennial Fair and began incorporating over-the-top stitching and decorative elements on their patchwork. "Oh the crazy quilt mania triumphantly raves, and maid, wife, and widow are bound as its slave..."

At the April guild meeting, members of the Riverbend Fiber Arts Guild had an opportunity to dabble in crazy patch and try their hands at hand embroidery and embellishment.

Martha presents the history of the Crazy Patch and shows her own
patchwork creation using this style of needlework.

The presentation began with a brief history of this quilting and needlework trend. A poem from an issue of The National Stockman and Farmer (circa 1891) was read that relayed men's view of this craze.(They were not happy campers, the poor fellows.) "Your breakfasts are spoiled, and your dinners half-boiled, and your efforts to get a square supper are foiled... by the crazy quilt mania that fiendishly raves, and to which all women are absolute slaves..."

A variety of satins, silks, velvets and other fabrics were available at the meeting for creating a sample crazy patch name tag. Floss, threads, hand embroidery needles, and an embroidery hoop are among the simple tools and supplies needed for this technique.

Choosing fabrics for crazy patch.

Stitch dictionaries and reference books on the topic abound with how-tos and sources for beads, buttons, charms and floss and threads of all kinds. 

Embellishment, embroidery books and stitch dictionaries.

To the dismay of the 19th century gentleman, decorative stitching, embroidery, embellishment and surface design is not likely to diminish any time soon among quilters, sewers and fiber artists. That's what drive-throughs, frozen dinners and microwaves are for.

"But make it she must, she will do it or bust; beg, swap, and buy pieces, or get them on trust. Oh, the crazy quilt mania, may it soon cease to rave in the land of the free and the home of the brave."

Examples of embroidered crazy patch quilt blocks.

Say "Hello" with Crazy Patch

Hello, my name is... often starts an introduction or is printed on self-stick name tags as a way to begin a conversation and get to know someone. At the April 6 guild meeting, Riverbend Fiber Arts guild members will be using threads, fabrics, fibers and other embellishments to make their guild name badges. 

The program coinciding with this project will focus on the "Crazy Patch" method of combining fabric patchwork with fanciful embroidery embellishments.

Crazy Patch embroidered block.

Come and follow along with the demonstration on Crazy Patch. To make a name tag using this technique, bring the following supplies:

• 2 or 3 fabric scraps (cottons, silks, blends, etc.)
• several colors of embroidery thread  or floss that contrasts with your fabrics
• embroidery needle
• scissors

Guild members are encouraged to get creative with their name badges—show off a favorite fabric or fiber technique, or venture into something new. A name tag has a small enough canvas to experiment and try something different. Plastic 4"x 3" name tag sleeves will be available for guild members.

Pin Weaving Fiber Jewelry

What's more appealing than a beaded tapestry necklace that can be made with a few simple tools and threads and yarns from your stash?

At the March meeting of the Riverbend Fiber Arts Guild, members and guests were treated to a program that showed how the simplest of weave structures, the plain weave (over one, under one), could be used to elevate coordinating yarns into an opulent piece of jewelry when combined with a few select beads.

The process started with a design drawn on gridded paper which was then attached to a foam core board. The placement of beads, pins and any color changes were mapped out on the design.

Pins held the warp threads in place and beads were added on the warp as prescribed by the design diagram. The weft yarns were threaded through tapestry or long yarn needles to facilitate the weaving process. Joining and changing colors of weft threads, and options for adding beaded fringe were discussed.Pin weaving requires minimal equipment and is very portable. Supplies are both economical and readily available. For this necklace, the design, shape, size and color possibilities are wide open. Small amounts of yarn left from other projects can be used to create a coordinating piece of jewelry. Beads, a unique pin, bauble or other embellishments can be attached during or after the weaving to create a striking piece of wearable art.

Finished tapestry woven necklace.

Fiber Embellishments using soluble Stabilizers

Creating fiber embellishments using soluble stabilizer was the topic for the April meeting of the Riverbend Fiber Arts Guild. Guild member, Karen W. discussed and demonstrated a technique for creating fiber embellishments that she had used to decorate journal covers for a fund-raising project. Fibers, threads, ribbons, fabrics and other colorful haberdashery are sandwiched and free-motion stitched between pieces of soluble stabilizer. The stabilizer is washed away, resulting in a textured "fabric" that can be further embellished with feathers, beads, charms or stitching. Examples of this free-form textured material and its creative uses were shown during the presentation.

Guild members brought items including woven jackets, quilts, embroidered crazy quilts, woven tapestries and rugs for the monthly show and tell.