Think about your thread choice
Another tip is don’t forget to change the colour, thickness and type of thread. I see lots of people simply use stranded cotton floss. This thread is fine for cross stitch work but get some cotton perle thread in sizes #8 and #5 as so many of the surface stitches look much better when worked with s thread that has a firm twist to it. There are no rules in crazy quilting so I am not being dictatorial about it but it is my tip towards creating interesting seam work on crazy quilting. Also many stitches can be threaded and laced so don’t forget that you have option too!
[x297]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/detachedchain3-300x198.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/detachedchain3-300x198.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/detachedchain3-227x150.jpg 227w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/detachedchain3-150x99.jpg 150w" width="450" />Detached Chain Stitch (or lazy daisy stitch) is quick, easy stitch that is very versatile. You can work it in all sorts of formations along a seam, along side a piece of lace or a piece of braid. A simple satisfying embellishment is to add straight stitches and a bead. You can add it to other stitches such as herringbone, or chevron stitch too.
[x90]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-01-300x60.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-01-300x60.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-01-250x50.jpg 250w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-01-150x30.jpg 150w" width="450" />
Here is an example of working a line of stitching and by adding a few beads in the middle of the motifs it creates a bit of zest.
[x107]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-02-300x71.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-02-300x71.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-02-250x59.jpg 250w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-02-150x35.jpg 150w" width="450" />You can work either side of the seam, flipping stitches from side to side.
[x163]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/detachedchain4-300x108.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/detachedchain4-300x108.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/detachedchain4-250x90.jpg 250w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/detachedchain4-150x54.jpg 150w" width="450" />Or you can zigzag the motifs along the seam like these:
[x139]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-03-300x92.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-03-300x92.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-03-250x77.jpg 250w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-03-150x46.jpg 150w" width="450" />Or zig zag them either side of lace braid or ribbon
[x229]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/detachedchain1-300x152.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/detachedchain1-300x152.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/detachedchain1-250x127.jpg 250w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/detachedchain1-150x76.jpg 150w" width="450" />You can build little motifs up in zig zag bands
[x103]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-04-300x68.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-04-300x68.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-04-250x57.jpg 250w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-04-150x34.jpg 150w" width="450" />
Once you have tried these techniques ie working a stitch along a line, flipping a stitch from side to side or placing it in a zig zag manner along the line, try building up more complex motifs by increasing the variety of your stitches and adding more rows of stitches.
[x438]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/detachedchain2-300x292.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/detachedchain2-300x292.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/detachedchain2-154x150.jpg 154w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/detachedchain2-150x146.jpg 150w" width="450" />They can be as complex or as simple as you wish.
[x117]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-05-300x78.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-05-300x78.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-05-250x65.jpg 250w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-05-150x39.jpg 150w" width="450" />These could be worked in stem stitch for the stem, detached chain for the flower and leaf and the middle could be a bead or a French knot.
[x127]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-06-300x84.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-06-300x84.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-06-250x70.jpg 250w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-06-150x42.jpg 150w" width="450" />This seam pattern consists of a motif made of three detached chain stitches and two straight stitches. If you look at my work regularly you will notice I use this combination all the time. You could finish them off with either a bead or a French knot.
[x598]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/chain-detach-bead-200x300.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/chain-detach-bead-200x300.jpg 200w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/chain-detach-bead-100x150.jpg 100w" width="400" />Stitches like buttonhole wheels can be worked as halves or quarters and arranged along a seam.
[x300]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/halfbuttonholes-2-300x200.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/halfbuttonholes-2-300x200.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/halfbuttonholes-2-225x150.jpg 225w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/halfbuttonholes-2-150x100.jpg 150w" width="450" />You can work them in line or turn them on their side.
[x116]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-07-300x77.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-07-300x77.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-07-250x64.jpg 250w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-07-150x38.jpg 150w" width="450" />Or flip each half wheel from side to side.
[x103]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-08-300x68.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-08-300x68.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-08-250x57.jpg 250w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-08-150x34.jpg 150w" width="450" />
Here is another way to arrange them and what they look like stitched up
[x435]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/halfbuttonholes-300x290.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/halfbuttonholes-300x290.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/halfbuttonholes-155x150.jpg 155w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/halfbuttonholes-150x145.jpg 150w" width="450" />or you can quarter the wheels and arrange them in patterns.
[x88]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-09-300x58.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-09-300x58.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-09-250x48.jpg 250w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-09-150x29.jpg 150w" width="450" />
For instance you can flip them from side to side too!
[x232]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/quarterbuttonholes2-300x154.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/quarterbuttonholes2-300x154.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/quarterbuttonholes2-250x128.jpg 250w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/quarterbuttonholes2-150x77.jpg 150w" width="450" />It is simple and effective. You can work two lines face to face.
[x176]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-10-300x117.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-10-300x117.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-10-250x97.jpg 250w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-10-150x58.jpg 150w" width="450" />
Here is another way to use buttonhole wheels which can be arranged in a different ways. These are interspersed with straight stitch arranged in a ray. French knots, sequins or beads can be placed in the middle.
[x150]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-11-300x125.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-11-300x125.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-11-250x104.jpg 250w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-11-150x62.jpg 150w" width="358" />
Often, the trick is to take a very basic stitch, work a row, and then add another basic stitch as a second row.
[x304]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-12-300x202.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-12-300x202.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-12-222x150.jpg 222w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-12-150x101.jpg 150w" width="450" />For instance, you can work two rows of straight stitches in a zig zag formation, with the second row offset to form a line a diamonds. At the peaks you can work a fan of straight stitches, add a bead and you have an attractive seam. All from one type of simple stitch!
Or you could work the foundation row of zig zag stitches using stem stitch or chain stitch. If you did this it would create a more solid line.
This type of seam embellishment where you start with a line to follow (the first zig zag line) is an instance of where Crazy Quilt templates are a very handy addition to your sewing box as you can use them to produce very even lines!
[x515]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/buttonhole1-233x300.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/buttonhole1-233x300.jpg 233w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/buttonhole1-116x150.jpg 116w" width="400" />Here is another example of how to build a seam layer upon layer
[x187]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-13-300x124.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-13-300x124.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-13-250x103.jpg 250w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-13-150x62.jpg 150w" width="450" />This foundation row is buttonhole stitch, which is then decorated with straight stitches and a seed bead. It is quite simple, quick to work and made up of basic stitches.
[x281]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/buttonhole4-300x187.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/buttonhole4-300x187.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/buttonhole4-240x150.jpg 240w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/buttonhole4-150x93.jpg 150w" width="450" />Buttonhole stitch is an extremely versatile foundation row because you can change the height of the arms to form a pattern and Buttonhole stitch will follow a curve well. For instance here we can add a fan of straight stitches to the top of the row and sequins at intervals along the bottom.
[x159]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-14-300x128.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-14-300x128.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-14-250x107.jpg 250w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-14-150x64.jpg 150w" width="371" />If you flip units of buttonhole stitch from side to side it leads to more interesting ways to combine stitches.
[x194]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-15-300x145.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-15-300x145.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-15-250x121.jpg 250w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-15-150x72.jpg 150w" width="400" />Here is an arrangement of detached chain stitches and buttonhole stitch.
[x208]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-16-300x156.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-16-300x156.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-16-250x130.jpg 250w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-16-150x78.jpg 150w" width="400" />This pattern builds on the same idea and notice it is the same basic stitches which I have used. They are arranged differently to create daisy motifs but they are the same basic stitch.
[x344]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/buttonhole3-300x229.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/buttonhole3-300x229.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/buttonhole3-196x150.jpg 196w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/buttonhole3-150x114.jpg 150w" width="450" />Herringbone Stitches have a zigzag like, crossed structure which means you can make all sorts of additions to a line of Herringbone stitches.
[x356]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-17-300x237.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-17-300x237.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-17-189x150.jpg 189w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-17-150x118.jpg 150w" width="450" />On the top row straight stitches worked in a fan and beads have been added to the spaces between the herringbone stitches. On the second line detached chain, straight stitches and beads have been tucked into the base of the cross.
[x186]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-18-300x124.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-18-300x124.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-18-250x103.jpg 250w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-18-150x62.jpg 150w" width="450" />Chevron stitch is also a good foundation stitch for crazy quilters as you can add other stitches to the valleys and peaks. Straight stitches, detached chain stitches and beads have been added to the peaks of Chevron Stitch.
[x172]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-19-300x114.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-19-300x114.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-19-250x95.jpg 250w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-19-150x57.jpg 150w" width="450" />Or you can tuck extra stitches into the valleys. In this case I have added quarter buttonhole wheels.
[x327]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/chevron2-300x218.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/chevron2-300x218.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/chevron2-206x150.jpg 206w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/chevron2-150x109.jpg 150w" width="450" />Here are some of my chevron stitch seam samples taken from my crazy quilts.
[x256]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/chevron1-300x170.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/chevron1-300x170.jpg 300w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/chevron1-250x142.jpg 250w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/chevron1-150x85.jpg 150w" width="450" /> [x531]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/feather2-254x300.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/feather2-254x300.jpg 254w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/feather2-127x150.jpg 127w" width="450" />
[x450]/pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-20-118x300.jpg" target="_blank">http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-20-118x300.jpg 118w, http://pintangle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CQ-seam-pattern-20-59x150.jpg 59w" width="177" />Finally, one of the all time favourites for crazy quilters is Feather Stitch because you can add stitches to the end of each arm or tuck stitches between the arms to create lovely complex patterns.
Since feather stitch follows curves well you can create a lovely organic movement to a block using feather stitch. It is certainly one of my favourite stitches.
As you can see it is possible to build up quite complex patterns using these methods.
I hope this article will give people a few ideas, and that you enjoy working and experimenting with some of them.
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