Crazy Quilt — Table Runner

For years I had seen crazy quilts, but had never had a yen to make one, and then all of a sudden when I saw another (not very well made) the bug bit me.  I had the fever big time and asked friends to contribute scraps.  What a pleasure this was.  I made 12 blocks doing ribbon embroidery, fancy stitches of various kinds and even included three pictures I had put on fabric to use.  Shisha (probably misspelled) was another thing I used.  Many years a go I took a class in Georgia and learned about Shishas.  In case you are not familiar with this — it’s a mirror-like small piece that’s attached to the fabric using something like a buttonhole stitch.  Tedious, to say the least.

Runner with Sisha

I’ll tell you another time more about the quilts, but following two crazy quilts I was hooked and didn’t want to quit.  Next I made a table runner.  Hind sight is a wonderful thing to have — if I had my time to go over I’d make it in sections instead of one long piece.  Because I worked on a large piece I came up with puckers and that’s not kosher.  This, too, has a shisha and also a spider web (for good luck).  I made a small flower garden — embroidered the stems and used colored buttons for the blossoms.  I use old tatting around my mother’s picture and really do like the look of that.  I did barter to get the lining put on it.  I have a good friend who makes drapes (in fact, she gave a number of lovely drapery scraps to use) and I made her a pillow top and she put the piping around the edge and did a super job with the lining.  Lining is black and I believe its more’.

Ribbon Embroidery

I’ve made pillow tops and even have some basics done on others down in the workroom.  I love doing the fancy work of this type and have quite a stash of ribbon and thread — maybe I’ll make another.  The worst part is getting the pretty fabric attached to the background piece.  Needlework — it’s one of the things I like best about country living.

Table Runner

Button Flowers