Have a basket full of fabric scraps you can’t bear to throw away? A crazy quilt is one of the easiest and most creative ways to use them.
Unlike traditional quilts, crazy quilts don’t follow repeating quilt blocks or perfect points. Instead, you sew irregular pieces of fabric together like a puzzle, then decorate the seams with embroidery stitches, lace, ribbon, buttons or beads.
If you’ve always wanted to try embroidery or quilting but worried about matching seams, crazy quilting is wonderfully forgiving. Every block is unique, making it a relaxing project for beginners and experienced stitchers alike.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to choose fabrics, build your first crazy quilt block, decorate it with simple embroidery stitches, and finish your quilt with confidence.
Crazy quilts have asymmetrical designs, vibrant colors, and intricate stitching patterns. Originating in the late 19th century as a rebellion against the rigid rules of traditional quilting, this unique art form allows quilters to unleash their imagination and showcase their individuality through a patchwork of fabrics. It is also referred to as crazy patchwork.
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What is a crazy quilt?
A crazy quilt is a quilt made from irregular fabric pieces stitched together without following a traditional quilt block pattern. Decorative embroidery stitches are then added over the seams. It generally starts with a 5-sided shape.
Is crazy quilting beginner friendly?
Yes. Since there are no perfect points or matching seams, crazy quilting is one of the easiest quilting styles for beginners.
Do crazy quilts need embroidery?
No.
Many makers enjoy adding decorative embroidery, lace, beads, and buttons, but you can also keep your quilt simple with stitching alone.
What fabrics work best?
Cotton quilting fabric is easiest for beginners, although velvet, silk, linen and reclaimed fabrics all work beautifully.
What you’ll learn
By the end of this tutorial you’ll know how to:
- choose fabrics that work well together
- plan your first crazy quilt block
- sew irregular fabric pieces together
- add decorative embroidery stitches
- embellish with lace, ribbon and beads
- join blocks into a finished quilt
- avoid common beginner mistakes
Crazy quilt history
I love quilts. All quilts. And I collect vintage quilts. They don’t need to be in perfect condition. In fact, the ones that have some wear and tear show that they’ve been loved. Here is one in my collection made from a variety of fabrics. When looking at this quilt closely you can see that it has been added to and mended over the years.
Quick start
If you’re eager to begin, here’s the short version:
- Gather fabric scraps in coordinating colors.
- Cut a foundation square.
- Start with one center fabric piece.
- Add random pieces around it one at a time.
- Press after each seam.
- Trim the block square.
- Decorate seams with embroidery.
- Join blocks into a quilt.
You can always return to the detailed tutorial below.
A variety of fabrics were used and different hand stitching was used to hold it together.
Here are some close-up pictures of this quilt. In the image on the far right, you can see the tan silk was used as a patch over a black and white fabric. The quilter continued to add fabrics and stitching as the quilt showed more wear from use.
Below is another vintage crazy quilt that was made from all silk scraps. Again you can see the wear on this quilt. Don’t you wish these quilts could tell you their stories? This quilt has embroidery stitching along each seam line and it also was tied in the middle of some of the larger pieces of silk.
Are you ready to learn how to make a crazy quilt for yourself?
Materials needed for crazy quilting
- You’ll need a variety of fabrics. As you can see above, any type of fabric works! For the ‘crazy’ finished look, try different textures. colors and printed fabrics. For the two crazy quilt blocks I made for this article I only used fabric scraps left over from other projects. The important part is to have a wide variety of fabrics.
- Foundation fabric to build your crazy quilt block(s), I used muslin.
- Batting: Consider the different options for the finished quilt whether you want just a thin layer of flannel or a cotton/poly batting. If you want a fluffy quilt, consider wool batting.
- Embroidery thread or floss, if you want to hand embroider your crazy quilt.
- If you are making a small art piece crazy quilt, you’ll need some beads, buttons, lace or ribbons
As you can tell, anything goes on a crazy quilt!
Best fabrics for crazy quilts
Include:
- quilting cotton
- batiks
- velvet
- silk
- linen
- reclaimed clothing
- vintage hankies
- lace
Best embroidery stitches for crazy quilts
- Feather Stitch
- Herringbone
- Chain Stitch
- Fly Stitch
- Lazy Daisy
- French Knots
- Blanket Stitch
- Chevron Stitch
RELATED: Embroidery Stitch Tutorials
Planning your crazy quilt design
Do you want (or need) a plan for your crazy quilt? No plans for me! I had fun just using my scraps and small pieces of fabric and seeing what struck my fancy as I was ready to add the next fabric!
If you are a planner, you might want to select a color scheme for your finished crazy quilt. Or, like the examples above, pick out a type of fabric you want to use.
Crazy quilting doesn’t lend itself to sketches or layouts. It is intended to go with the flow. There is no predetermined crazy quilt pattern.
Choosing colors for your crazy quilt
Picking a palette for your crazy quilt doesn’t need to be hard.
- Pick monochromatic color schemes – like all reds, or all blues
- Jewel tone: Blue, turquoise, emerald green, purple
- Vintage look: use scraps of silks, velvets and brocades
- Modern palette: Pick clear solid colors
- Holiday: Choose a variety of reds and greens
Piecing techniques for crazy quilts
Crazy quilts start in the middle and fabric is added around a center piece of fabric. Start with one piece of fabric on your foundation fabric. I used muslin as the foundation for my crazy quilt blocks. Using a foundation piece of fabric to stitch the pieces makes it easier.
Get a piece for your center. I like to start with a shape that has five (5) sides. Stitch it down. Get another piece of fabric to sew to it. Place them right sides together and stitch with a 1/4-inch seam allowance on the foundation fabric. Press the second fabric to the outside edge of the foundation so that the right side shows. Continue in this method adding fabrics in a counterclockwise order.
If you are interested in a more planned crazy quilt block, there are many option for foundation paper piecing that tells you what size and order to add your fabrics.
Crazy quilts are a perfect place for fussy cutting if you want to highlight a print or motif. Learn more about fussy cutting.
Decorative stitches and embroidery designs
Part of what brings a crazy quilt to life are the stitches. Crazy quilt embroidery can by done by hand embroidering the stitches or using the decorative stitches on your machine. The embroidery is placed next to or over the crazy quilt seams.
How to make a crazy quilt block
Materials
- Variety of fabric scraps
- Foundation fabric to build your crazy quilt block. I used muslin
- Batting the size of your block
- Embroidery thread or floss
- Assortment of embellishments: beads, buttons, lace ribbons
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Embroidery thread for hand stitching
- Suitable needles for threads chosen
- Rotary cutter (or scissors)
- Cutting mat
- Seam ripper
Instructions
Step 1: Choose your fabrics
Gather quilting cotton, silk, velvet, or linen in colors that work well together. Press your fabrics before cutting. If this is your first crazy quilt, stick with quilting cotton because it's easier to sew. Here's a pile of silk and velvet scraps I received from a friend. 
Step 2: Prepare your foundation & add center piece
Cut muslin for foundation fabric square about 1-2 inches larger than your finished square.
Place one fabric piece near the middle of the foundation and stitch it in place. This becomes the starting point for the rest of your block.
TIP: Start with a 5-sided piece of fabric so that your quilt block doesn't start looking like a log cabin quilt block
Step 3: Build around the center
Place one fabric piece near the middle of the foundation and stitch it in place. This becomes the starting point for the rest of your block.
TIP: Trim excess edges off before adding another piece to reduce bulk. Fold back the foundation and trim. 
TIP: Sometimes you’ll need to do a bit of ‘unstitching’ if you can’t sew down a piece without a previous stitching line in the way, just take out a few stitches with your seam ripper.
TIP: For more visual interest, piece together some scraps to add as one piece to your crazy quilt.
Step 5: Add a stabilizing stitching line & trim the block
I added a line of stitching about 1/8" from the final block size. many of the fabrics are on the bias, and this will help them not stretch and distort while you add hand stitches. 
Square the block using a ruler and rotary cutter.
Step 6: Decorate the seams
Cover seam lines with embroidery stitches, lace, ribbon or decorative trims.
Your crazy quilt block is now ready to be joined with others to make a quilt, or use for a home dec project.
Step 7: Quilt your quilt
If you are making a quilt, since you have so many embellishments and embroidery, I suggest using stitch in the ditch to hold the layers of the quilt together.
Step 7: Finishing your quilt
Add a binding or face your quilt.
Make a modern crazy quilt block
Looking for a design that is more contemporary? Use more contemporary fabrics like cotton fabrics in solids or prints, instead of silks, wools and velvets for a modern way of making this block.
For my modern crazy quilt block, I started with a five-sided solid red scrap of fabric.
For the second piece, I added a pale blue fabric to one side.
Just like before, I kept adding fabrics in a counterclockwise pattern around the center. Below is my finished modern crazy quilt block ready for stitching!
For this quilt block for the seam embellishments, I decided to try out some of the decorative stitches on my sewing machine. Our machines come with so many options and how many times do we use these stitches?
Attach a tear-away paper stabilizer on the back of your quilt block. I stitched all around to secure the stabilizer to the quilt block.
Then I started picking out some of the decorative stitches on my machine and had some fun bringing this crazy quilt block to life!
Here is the modern crazy quilt block all stitched with the decorative stitches from my machine, and ready to be finished. Some of the stitches surprised me, and some I didn’t like so much as they were stitched out. A good reminder to play around with all that your sewing machine has to offer!
My favorite? The circles! Check them out at the top of the red strip of fabric.
Then it was time to remove the paper stabilizer from the back of the block.
I started by pulling up the bigger pieces of paper from around the stitch lines.
Then, using my stiletto, I carefully removed the paper from around the stitches.
When it was all done, I layered and finished the 12-inch modern crazy mini quilt!
Ways to use crazy quilt blocks
Ideas:
- pillows
- tote bags
- table runners
- wall hangings
- journals
- needle books
- ornaments
Common mistakes
Using stretchy fabric > Start with quilting cotton or other stable until you’re comfortable.
Making seams too narrow > Aim for a consistent seam allowance.
Adding embellishments too early > Finish construction before adding beads or buttons.
Using too many busy prints > Mix solids, tone-on-tones, and prints for balance.
Skipping pressing > Press after every seam. Your blocks stay flatter and easier to assemble.
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely. There are no matching seams or complicated quilt blocks.
Usually yes, if making a quilt. Decorative wall pieces sometimes don’t.
Yes. Most construction is done by machine. Embroidery may be done by hand or machine.
Crazy quilting is one of the best scrap projects.
6″, 8″, 10,” and 12″ are common.
Yes – if all of the materials used to make the block are machine washable. If you are using silks and velvets, it’s not recommended to wash. Delicate embellishments may require hand washing.
As little or as much as you’d like.
No. Modern crazy quilts use contemporary fabrics and minimalist embroidery.
Crazy quilting celebrates creativity instead of perfection. Every fabric choice, embroidery stitch and embellishment tells part of your story.
Whether you’re using treasured vintage fabrics or today’s favorite quilting cottons, each block becomes a small piece of textile art. Once you’ve made your first block, you’ll discover why so many quilters keep coming back to crazy quilting again and again.
More crazy quilt inspiration
We’ve been lucky to interview several crazy quilters on Create Whimsy. Here are some of their work:
Browse through all of the crazy quilt projects and inspiration on Create Whimsy.
