How to Make a Crazy Quilt

Let’s talk about crazy!!

When I think of “crazy”, I think of insane, bizarre, jumbled, and erratic.

These words seem to be point-on when first looking at the randomness of a crazy quilt, also known as crazy patchwork.

These crazy quilts have a hodge-podge of different fabrics, irregular shapes, unusual embellishments, along with beautiful embroidery.

However, those who know how to make a crazy quilt know that they are not erratic at all.  The quilts are special treasures, and no two are ever alike.

Why is it called a crazy quilt?

Crazy quilting refers to the textile art of random crazy patchwork. Crazy patchwork is not a kind of quilting, which is the needlework that holds two or more layers of fabric together to make a quilted blanket.

Instead, it refers to a very specific kind of random patchwork that does not have the repeating geometric design that is important in a typical traditional quilt.  

These quilts have irregular shaped pieces of fabrics sewn together, usually scraps left over from other sewing projects or from pieces of clothing. The random pieces often include a combination of silks, tulle, satins and velvets.

Once the random pieces are sewn together, the seams and patches are then outlined with beautiful and heavy embroidery and are embellished with lovely buttons, lace, ribbons and beads. 

When did crazy quilts start?

Although historians are not entirely sure of the exact beginnings of crazy quilts, they do agree that crazy or patchwork quilts were very popular in the late 1800s through to the early 1900s. 

Many believe that these crazy quilts were the result of the English embroidery that was displayed at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876. 

At this event, Americans were introduced to British needlework, including the beautiful satin stitches that the English used in embroidery. 

During the Exposition, Japanese decorative art also caught the eye of visitors.  Examples of this Japanese art focused on cracked-glaze pottery.

Around 10 million visited the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition and, inspired by the beautiful needlework and art design, American women began making crazy quilts.

Crazy quilting is gaining popularity now, mostly due to the focus on personal creativity and the use of embellishments.

This page contains many tutorials on how to make crazy quilts or crazy patchwork, including supplies and directions to get started, along with many tutorials specific to the embroidery found on these quilts.

For more information on this quilting technique including crazy quilt books, crazy quilt information, crazy quilting embellishments, and the embroidery stitches used, check out the links below.

Scroll down to learn about creating your own crazy quilt!  You'll find yourself looking for some crazy quilt patterns after that!