A little crazy around here!

I have always loved Crazy Patchwork. All those odd little bits of leftover fabric carefully stitched together, embroidered with beads, flowers and precious messages making a quilt as close as it could be to a shiny box of jewels . The thriftiness of it appeals to the tiny corner of me that wants to make do and mend, waste not want not. (When it's not stiffled by the rest of me saying 'oh but I NEED to have it!'.)
Crazy Love Heart, 2007 ©
So, when the lovely Tanya over at Lily and Agathe asked me to contribute to her blog, I decided (after over 2 months of prevarication - sorry Tanya. x!!!) to do a Crazy Patchwork tutorial. So pop on over and find out how to turn this..
Into this!
Well, that's the idea anyway... feedback on clarity of instructions very welcome! If you end up with a mess on the carpet that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's one of the messiest forms of patchwork I know. Trimmings and threads everywhere! This simple 'stitch and flip' machine version works up really quickly so above all, Have Fun!
Meanwhile, all family birthdays duly respected it's that silly time of year again! In crazy patchwork mood I have been doing a bit more (refreshments kindly provided by hubby),
A quick peek at work in progress!
And I'm trying to decide upon this years stockings. These little bootees were very popular last year but the woolens played havoc with the sewing machine!
A couple of these vintage patchwork large stockings will be going onto my Etsy in the next few days (am I the only one who is such an incompetent photographer that I am completely reliant upon the weather??!) I'll post again before I put up my listings - when I have more pictures!
Oh ho ho! Here we go! Three weeks to the Christmas Fair. Arrggh! More coffee! More chocolate!
t.x

Comments

Mom/Mum said…
Oh KP - every time I visit your site i look in awe at what you stitch up. And I go to my 'sweing' box and look in sadness and despair at the three rolls of thread and two rusty needles.
my mum is very into quilting, sewing, knitting, macrame, the list goes on. But you name it if it involves a needle am sure she's tried it. (except for heroin I
think. I hope!)
Anyway, what am trying to say is all, these things of yours look gorgeous. If I was at the Christmas Fair - I'd buy the lot!
Hen said…
Hi T,
Loving your crazy patchwork and how nice you are doing a festive version. Are these for the school fair? That's a very lucky school if so. Gorgeous patchworked stockings. I am hopeless at photography at the best of times (I just blame it o the camera), so this gloomy time of year is especially challenging!
Hen x
MelMel said…
Love the Christmas stockings, fab!
xxx
Niki Fretwell said…
Hi T,
Just read your fab tutorial - very well done! The crazy patchwork looks straight forward to do - well you make it seem so...I'm sure the beautiful heart was another matter! (I've done log cabin, but that involved lots of measuring - crazy would be far more fun!)

Good luck with your next project for the fair.
Take care - you inspiring woman, you! ;-))
Niki xx
The craftwork here is astonishing. What a talent you have. I laughed out loud at your comment on Dulwichmum bout running collagues over in the car park - yes I'd rather chuck a grenade into a full lift of office colleagues than spend time listening to them drone on at a Chistmas party that I've been three line whipped into attending!
Anonymous said…
I love your patchwork stockings, good luck with the fair.
MelMel said…
Took the pictures to distract my self from thinking about the interview!
EEkk...Thanks for popping in!
Hugs Melxxxx
Beck said…
Love your crazy work! BTW 'sugo' is indeed passata and yes, you can use dried pasta in the lasagna. Just give it a poke to make sure it's cooked and away you go! Hope you like it as much as I do x ps.have you bought your bus ticket yet?
Anonymous said…
Great Christmas stocking - you could patent the design for fantastic welly boots - thinking of brightening up the days up the allotment.

Wishing you every success with your Christmas Etsy sales - and of course the fair.
Libbys Blog said…
Stunning! You make it look so simple! It has given me an idea!!! I'll let you know if it works!!!
Teena Vallerine said…
m/m - you are very kind - and we all think you should ask your mum a direct question about the drugs and get it over with! t.x

H - no, not a school fair - but a Christmas Market held in the school grounds. I'm not that much of a philanthropist- I do cakes. t.x

MM - thanks sweetie - I'm coming over soon for an update on your events!! t.x

Niki - thanks for the feedback - it really is that simple! I don't do measuring so it's also perfect for me! xxx

MOB - how lovely of you to drop by - I think the grenade would be far more effective t.x ( and for those of you who have no idea what we're talking about - pop and have a laugh with DM - link in my side bar!)

TH - Welcome, thank-you and thank-you. t.x

Beck - I will be cooking tonight! Not sure Waitrose stock Australian garlic but I'll try my best! Bus driver has reported me for harassment..... t.x

Lovely lottie - patchwork wellies? You are a laugh! t.x

LB ooh exciting- want to know now!!! t.x
Anonymous said…
Your patchworks are lovely. I LOVE that heart espiecally. What a clever thing you are.
Teena Vallerine said…
Well thank-you honey! Your stuff is pretty amazing too! Those Christmas toadstools are on my mind! t.x
Beadyjan said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Beadyjan said…
I'd love to see your tutorial, your works lovely but the link doesn't work for me :(