How to Make a Crazy Quilt Block (Stitch-and-Flip)

What Sparks Your Creativity?

This isn't any ordinary quilting technique! Think outside the box and let your imagination run wild. This is your chance to break free from tradition and create something truly one-of-a-kind.

If you love history, you'll love learning about the Victorian crazy quilts that inspired this technique. But let's not get too caught up in the past—it's time to get stitching!

The real magic of crazy quilting happens when you add embroidery to the seams. Stitches like the herringbone, feather stitch, and bullion knot transform flat seams into decorative lines.

You might like the calm rhythm of hand-stitching or the speed and precision of a sewing machine. Making a crazy quilt block by hand can be very satisfying, so that is the method I am using for this block. If you are new to hand stitching, our hand embroidery for beginners guide covers the basics of threading, knotting, and keeping even tension.

I chose my fabrics, laundered and ironed them, and began work.

Stitch-and-Flip: What It Is (and Why It Works)

The completed block before embroidery

Are you ready to join me?

Cutting the First Fabric Patch

First, cut a square of muslin or calico for the backing. It should be 1 inch (2.5 cm) larger than your desired block size.

I used an irregularly shaped piece of yellow taffeta from my daughter's bridesmaid dress to make my first patch. I laid the taffeta on the background square, slightly off centre.

Adding the Second Piece & Pressing

I cut a rectangle of gold-spotted cream fabric, allowing a quarter-inch seam allowance. Then I laid it on top of one of the edges of the first patch, right sides down. With it pinned in place, I stitched the pieces together with back stitch. You could use your sewing machine.

I finger pressed the seam and trimmed off the edge. Then, I unfolded the fabric and pressed it flat.

Next, I turned the foundation square one-quarter turn to the right.

Adding a New Piece of Fabric

I chose the strawberry fabric as the next to include in my crazy quilt block. The pattern had the benefit of giving me a nice straight line to stitch my seam along.

This patch overlays the edges of both existing patches. I stitched and pressed the seam as before.

Adding the strawberry patch

Trimmed and pressed

I pressed the seam and trimmed off the extra fabric. Then, I turned the growing crazy quilt block ninety degrees.

Adding the Next Patch

I use tailor's chalk, or a disappearing ink pen, to mark the seam allowance on darker, plain fabrics if needed.

This next patch sat alongside the original central patch. I continued the seam until I had joined it along the entire length of the first and the existing patches.

Marking the seam line

Trimmed at an angle for variety

Don't worry about that little section of strawberry fabric sticking out. I cut that off afterward.

After pressing the seam, I cut the pink rectangle at an angle. I did this to add variety to the shapes in my finished project. I left the trimmed section beside the patch so that you could see what I removed.

Continue to Add Further Patches

I made this next patch from a nightdress my daughter used to wear when she was a toddler.

This rectangle lay along the fourth edge of the yellow patch. It lay on top of the pink patch, fitting along the edges of both.

Pinning the nightdress fabric

Five patches in place

Adding a Longer Strip of Fabric

With this patch, I moved on to longer strips. This one fits along the edges of the central yellow patch, the spotty piece, and also along the one I added above.

I picked a piece of fabric from an old blouse that I tie-dyed back in the 1970's for this patch. I positioned it so that the creamy coloured area met the last patch's print and the yellowy/orange part met the cream spots.

Patches numbered in the order they were added

This patch completed my first "journey" around the crazy quilt block. I still turned the block a quarter turn after attaching each strip.

In the photo, you can see that the "nightie" fabric took me to the edge of the foundation square on that side of the yellow shape. This won't always happen. Normally, you would keep adding patches all around in a second journey.

For this block, I only needed to add shapes to the existing patches on four sides.

Starting the Second Round of Patches

In this photo, I have numbered the patches in the order that I attached them. As you can see, I stitched the green patch (from my daughter's old skirt) to patches 2, 3, and 6.

I shaped this patch to an angle after stitching and pressing.

Adding Longer Pieced Strips

The next patch will lie alongside patches 3, 4 and 7 and so will be longer. To avoid my crazy quilt block ending up looking stripy, I seamed two fabrics together for this length.

I was careful when I attached this strip to the block. I made sure to avoid matching its seam with any others on the block.

Piecing on the Diagonal

Again, for this strip I pre-seamed two fabrics together; this time on the diagonal.

I did not trim the patches to shape first. Instead, I laid the new strip in place along patches 4, 5, and 8. I stitched it and then trimmed the excess from the previous patches. I wanted to create a triangle from the existing dark pink patch.

Pre-seamed diagonal strip

Print fabric meets solids

As you can see in the photo, I put the printed fabric in this strip next to the solids in the existing crazy quilt block.

Adding One Last Long Pieced Strip

For the last strip, I seamed the dark green and strawberry fabrics together. Then, I stitched them to patches 6 and 7.

The corners were all that remained.

Completing the Corners of the Crazy Quilt Block

When adding the corner pieces, I tried to ensure that the patches were different shapes and sizes. I balanced the existing dark pink patch with a second piece of that fabric in the bottom right corner. I used the light pink and cream spotted fabrics for the remaining corners. I also used the "nightie" fabrics again.

The last job was to trim the overhanging patch edges. They should be even with the foundation square. Now, the block is ready for the decorative stitches.

Once your block is pieced, the next step is embellishing the seams with embroidery stitches. You can also add French knots as scattered accents and blanket stitch along the outer edges.

And that's your block, pieced and ready for embroidery!

Ready to Embellish Your Block?

I created this quilt block using the stitch-and-flip technique of crazy patchwork. I hope the step-by-step photos and instructions have helped you see that piecing your blocks is simple and lots of fun.

Now it's your turn!