Quilting ― Just a Little Bit Crazy: A Marriage of Traditional & Crazy Quilting

True to the book's subtitle, Quilting Just A Little Bit Crazy fuses the resiliently unstructured crazy quilt block with conventional sets and layouts. This joint venture by Allie Aller and Valerie Bothell is full of truly useful tips and fresh ideas for projects ranging in size from 20x18 inches up to 73x79 inches.Straight sets are used frequently, although some smaller projects are solitary collage blocks. The quilt on the cover is Aller's "Color Block Fans". This strippy beauty is 58x71 inches and is proof for why we all must collect more ribbons and trims than our combined lifespans could possibly accommodate.A tear-out section is included for one of the project's templates. All other templates and/or foundation patterns are located within the text.Methods, Tips, and Techniques include:~ ~ ~ foundation piecing (which reins in the chaos of all those joined crazy blocks), applique (free-form, freezer paper, and cardstock - great for curved pieces), strategic use of ribbons, achieving stability via interfacing (not just for the blocks, but also for ribbon borders and the entire assembled quilt top), blending hand-stitching with machine embroidery, transferring embroidery patterns (the authors use Golden Threads Quilting Paper), using fusible tape to build custom ribbon embellishments, layering premade fabric flowers, appliqued lattices, changing the color of mother-of-pearl buttons via alcohol ink, and how to tame the wild invisible thread ~ ~ ~Two of the niftiest design ideas are making quilt labels from small doilies and using a genuine vintage feed sack as a central medallion. (My hard-learned tip for using vintage linens: use an enzymatic detergent (NO bleach) such as  Biz Stain Remover Single 60 OZ Box  to make sure they are immaculately spotless. They must be free of acid spots and any other stains. And rinse them repeatedly, long after the cows have come home. Better yet, if it's graphics you're after, photocopy public domain ephemera-like images - such as vintage Valentines, Victorian calling cards, nostalgic postcards - onto ink-jet printable sew-in fabric sheets. One product I've used and can recommend is  Avery Printable Fabric for Inkjet Printers, 8.5 x 11 Inches, Pack of 5 (03384) )This book is appropriate - not to mention invaluable - for any skill level. The instructions are extensive yet straightforward and there is no shortage of examples or illustrations.Just be aware that the lists of materials required for these project can be quite extensive. And expensive. Fusibles, trims, and fabrics such as silks, velvets, and brocades can add up quickly even for small designs. Therefore, stash-sharing and stash-building are happily encouraged. Forever. (Another hard-learned tip: Don't be tempted to stock up on fusibles when they go on sale. They can lose their powers of adhesion if not used within a few months of purchase.)

This was one of the best books I have purchased in a long time, Very good for referencing back to for techniques of crazy quilting-three techniques- Allie's, Val's and Judith Montano's. Packed with useful information and clearly explained with pictures and great examples. Loved the ideas of how to incorporate the crazy quilt blocks into different traditional patterns. You can tell these authors put in a LOT of hard work and dedication into making this book good, Sometimes quilting books are just thrown together just to sell with cute pictures etc. This one was a storehouse of information for me. They gave different ideas on how to bind your quilt too. She had very clear pictures and how to 's on the standard hand stitches of crazy quilting- but you will have to go to Judith Montano's books for the amazing variety of hand stitching. This book just had the basics on that, but well explained. I liked their variety of ideas on how to join the crazy blocks together too. Well worth the money on this one!

I am gathering items to make a crazy quilt, but I want to do a more modern design than the usual crazy quilt patterns I was finding. This book gave me some good places to start and broaden my ideas of what I want my design to be.

Beautiful book and illustrations. Easy to follow instructions

I love Allie Aller as a teacher. She has really good content in her book and this is a fabulous book. I enjoyed all the tips and pieces of information that helped me put the process in place. Really enjoyed the tips on embroidery stitches, beading and much more.

One of several books on topic to get an adequate knowledge, and ideas for project

Have enjoyed purusing this book and its colorful quilts. Different type of projects for everyones taste...I plan on at least doing one of the quilts. I do like the addition of "Crazy Quilting" with other types of quilt patterns..makes for a "thinking fest"..Hmmm ...maybe I could do this. This book is definitely making me think outside the box and I need that to keep the "ole" brain sharp!

I bought this after reading an article featuring a technique where hand stitches are used to enhance the decorative stitches on many sewing machines. I had hoped there would be much more of that type of information in the book, but I think there was more in the article. If you have never done crazy quilting, there is good basic information, but not much past that.

I was intrigued by the cover picture and wasn't disappointed by the content. I look forward to trying some of the ideas

its okay

Ordered kindle version and haven’t used it yet but good instructions and photos.

I haven't put it to use yet but I'm sure it will come in handy when I start my crazy quilt which right now is still in the planning stages.