Crazy Quilt
Among an upswing of more heartfelt letters and handmade gifts
during the holidays, the Victorian period also saw an increase in
home decor and quilting, with one style in particular growing in
popularity. Crazy quilts, given their name for the haphazard look of
fabrics pieced together, were intricate displays of hand embroidery,
oil painting, and even crewelwork, pieced together to create a full
blanket or throw. Often used to decorate parlor rooms and living
spaces, crazy quilts served to showcase an individual’s skilled
needlework. The Victorian era saw a plethora of rich, dark colorways
combined with intricate motifs and embroidery to present a finished
work of art. Now, you too can recreate the luxe feeling of a Victorian
holiday quilt with these crazy stitch designs!
Although crazy quilts seem quite randomly pieced, a lot of planning
goes into ensuring the appliqué pieces line up and work cohesively
with the motif stitches overlapping. These blocks will finish with
ease in your hoop, no hand embroidery needed! Each crazy quilt
shape captures the essence of the holidays in the detailed designs
within the shapes of the block. Sew out a few of these fun designs
and stitch them into your holiday quilt for a look that will have you
reminiscing of the simpler times!