East Asian decorative arts likely influenced the Crazy quilt format and decoration
East Asian decorative arts likely influenced the Crazy quilt format and decoration
Crazy quilts = complex patchwork, fancy stitches, elaborate appliqué
In the U.S., ready-mades appealed to those who desired Crazy quilt shortcuts
Crazy-style textiles appear in cultures all over the world
... are fancy, plain, decorative, warm, opulent, frugal, haphazard, planned, American, British, regional, global, old-fashioned, avant-garde, a quilt, a garment, a myth, and a metaphor.
Born in the second half of the nineteenth century from a variety of influences, Crazy quilts were a reflection of their era, but they lived on to change with the times and with the people who adopted and adapted the style.
The origins and development; expressions of beauty and innovations of format, materials and symbols; and enduring popularity of Crazy quilts form a story as varied and rich as their embellished surfaces. Discover this fascinating history.
 Crazy quilts appear to have evolved out of a range of global, regional, and local influences that converged in Victorian Britain and America. |
 The Crazy quilt aesthetic developed as a result of design reform and through the increased availability of lavish fabrics and embellishments. |
 Late nineteenth-century societal and cultural shifts in areas such as class, gender, technology, and advertising, also affected Crazy quilts. |
 People worldwide have long made "Crazy"-style textiles, from the Ming dynasty Chinese to today's global quilt artists. |