Amelia Madison Quilt

I made this Crazy Quilt for my second-born grandchild, Amelia Madison.

(pic of entire quilt)

Amelia was born overseas in Sudan, Africa because her parents were there for a year working with our government to help the people there stay informed of the peace-treaty and wade through the red-tape to receive much-needed aid.

Amelia’s quilt is unique in it’s monochromatic flavor. All pastels are unusual for a crazy quilt, but the fact that “anything goes” is what endears me to this art. Amelia’s mother, Marcie, has subtle tastes and I made this quilt to reflect that.

(pic-strip of several blocks, closer views)

Another unusual quality to this quilt is the top stitching. Most crazy quilt embroidery is extremely colorful. I had decided to use a few pieces of very pretty lace that I already had to cover some of the top, and then I thought to try to make all my embroidery look like lace. Instead, I chose to try to make all my embellishing look like lace.

(pic-strip of several seams)

I wanted each seam to be much more elaborate than anything I’d ever done before. I admit that I referred to one of my favorite books Treasury of Crazy Quilt Stitches by Carole Sample quite often!

In the end, this was a very time-consuming quilt, but I love how beautifully it turned out! I don't think I've ever seen one done this way - and that's what makes Crazy Quilting so great! Happily, anything goes!!

(another pic, maybe with Amelia?)

Hurricane Hugo Crazy Quilt

I wanted my very first post to be about my very first crazy quilt created in 1989. But to arrive at that time, I have to back up a little. I fell in love with quilts and all things country after marrying my husband and meeting his grandmother in the late 70’s. Mildred Hobbs, “Mamaw” as we all called her, was a true country woman from a by-gone era.

(pic of mamaw & granddaddy)

She raised a family during the Great Depression and was penny-wise because the world of the time demanded it. They fixed and recycled everything and she was a quilter in the most pioneer sense, she made them from scraps of fabric because her family needed covers and blankets. They were sewn with love and warmed her children. I have only a few of her pictures of her quilts, and own a couple which I cherish.

(pics of quilts)

I was enchanted with Mamaws country life and romanticized it, redecorating my entire house “country”. I loved the hominess of it all! I checked out many a library book trying to achieve the farmhouse country theme I wanted. I tried my hand at quilting (see my sad result of that first endeavor!)

(pic of round the world quilt)

Which brings me to the night of September 19th, 1989. I was living outside of Charleston when Hurricane Hugo hit (which is a story in itself) and needless to say, we were without power for 2 weeks. I just happened to have a stack of library books and one contained a chapter on Crazy Quilts. I was immediately enthralled and in love and never looked back. I had nothing better to do with no tv, no appliances, no electrical distractions and I pieced the entire thing in no time.

(pic of green crazy quilt – “Hugo”)

I had to check out a lot more books to complete all the embroidery stitch lines.

(pic-strip of close-ups of embroidery)

And even more research to add the embellishments.

(pic-strip of embroidery scenes)

20 years later, this quilt still graces my living room!

Hurricane Hugo gave me crazy memories in two ways, in how that night was spent and in how a passion was born!

I take a big breath...and jump in!

Hi! My name is Kathy. After visiting many delightful blogs, I decided I wanted to join this very interesting and informative world. Blogs give so many unique perspectives and show that there are many very creative and wonderful people out there. Everyone is so helpful and charming, I decided I wanted to join this fascinating society.

My central interest is in all things handmade. I love the feeling of pleasure I get when seeing a candle burning in my holder crafted from an old fencepost, or a photo in my repainted garage-sale frame. But seeing a baby wrapped in one of my hand-stitched crazy quilts is a feeling I will cherish in my heart forever!

(pic-strip of homemade items)

I hope HomeSpun Whimsies will be a place I can share all my treasures!

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit me here today! ~ Kathy