Taking the Mystery Out of Crazy Quilt Seam Embellishing
Posted by Kathy Seaman Shaw on May 5th 2023
Have you looked at crazy quilt seams thinking “how did they do that?” Well, today…I’m letting you in on my own secrets about creating complex seams EASILY!
Every seam begins with either a specific STITCH or a specific SHAPE. So, with a knowledge of just a few embroidery stitches, you can create elaborate seams. Yes, it’s helpful to also have a stash of beads, sequins, etc. to add some bling…but, if you prefer; it is also possible to create gorgeous seams using mostly embroider alone.
I have a terrible time keeping my embroidery straight (and not running up/down hill)…and uniformly spaced. Now, I realize that you think I should be perfect…ha, nope…not me. So, I create templates to “mark” my seam before I even begin my stitching. You too can now do this…just click the photo, save, and print full size on paper (or vellum/plastic). Use a small hole punch (2-3mm size on Amazon) to punch out a hole where the “dots” are on the template.
Simply lay your chosen template along the fabric seam…and mark a small dot where each hole is. I use a #2 lead pencil and insert/twist to leave a tiny dot on my fabric. Light fabrics work best for this technique; but, you can also draw the seam on to tissue paper; tape that down to your dark fabric seam; sew through the dots…and you have the same results.
Keep your templates on a key ring, as in this photo so that you will be able to easily carry them around. Also, if you scale the print size (60-80%) you will have even more templates as the size of each will be scaled; giving you even more options for marking seams!
My books include other templates which can also be scanned/down-loaded and printed. I hope you will consider trying to embellish crazy quilt blocks. But, if not…these templates also work for embellishing small zipper bags, tote bag pockets, pin cushions, needle cases, etc.
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Kathy Seaman Shaw teaches sewing, ribbon embroidery, and quilting at regional guilds and the community college in her area. Her blog series of free, online crazy-quilt courses began in 2011 and continues to draw visitors from around the world. Kathy lives in Piedmont, Alabama.
