Level: Intermediate

The Crazy Quilt Bag is perfect for those weekend getaways. It is large enough to hold all those necessary items for a wonderful three-day vacation. Yet, it is lightweight, washable and easy to store. This is a fun project for the serger enthusiast. You will be delighted at how easy this type of crazy quilting can be done on the serger.

Janome Supplies Required:

• Any Janomes Serger
• Janome Overlock thread (#90 Weight)
• Janome Overlock needles (Size 11)

Fabric and Notions:

• 1/2 yd. three different dark fabrics
• 1/2 yd. three different light fabrics
• 3/4 yd. lining fabric
• 1/4 yd. fabric for straps
• 1/4 yd. fabric for flap and button loops
• 1 yd. batting
• Webbing
• Decorative serger thread
• 3 large buttons
• Rotary cutter
• Spray adhesive
• 24" quilting ruler
• Seam sealant
• Washable glue stick
• Blue marking pen

Download and print out the pattern and assembly instructions using links at the top of the page. Or follow steps below to make your own template.

Template Instructions

1. On a piece of paper draw a 16" square.
2. Draw a line diagonally off center across the middle of the paper.
3. On one side of the "center line" draw three lines to form three sections that will meet the "center line".
4. On the other side of the "center line" draw three lines to form three sections that will meet the "center line". These should be positioned differently than the other side.
5. Number all sections on your paper.
6. Trace your design with the numbered sections on a new piece of paper and set aside.

Fabric Preparation

1. Cut one 16" square from each dark and light fabric. Yields a total of six 16" squares.
2. Cut one 27" x 40" piece from the lining fabric.
3. Cut two 3 1/2" x 30" strips from the strap fabric.
4. Cut three 3" x 12" pieces for the flap and button loops.
5. Cut one 3" x 12" piece and one 27" X 40" piece from batting.
6. Cut two 1" x 30" strips from webbing.

Instructions

1. Set up MyLock 644D for a 3-thread Flatlock. Note: Open flatlock stitches from the wrong side. Using a pressing cloth, press from the wrong side to set the seam flat. Use 1/4" seam allowance or just barely skim the edge of the fabric.
2. Place decorative thread in the upper looper and Janome Overlock thread in the left needle and lower looper. Refer to manual for suggested settings.
3. Test stitch on scrap fabric. If fabric puckers or gathers try tightening the needle thread tension to the next highest number.
4. Stack the six squares of fabric on top of each other, with right sides up.
5. Place the 1st paper pattern piece on top of the stack of squares.
6. Secure with pins and then cut on the lines.
7. Place the 2nd paper pattern piece on the table next to you.
8. Randomly pace cut pieces on the 2nd pattern piece to resemble a crazy patch.
9. Re-assemble cut pieces to form squares.
10. Flatlock #2 to #6 and then flatlock #6 to #5, with wrong sides together. Dab seam sealant at seam end.
11. Flatlock #1 to #3 and then flatlock #3 to #4. Dab seam sealant at seam end.
12. Flatlock the left section to the right section at the "center line". Dab seam sealant at seam end. Note: You will have some uneven sides, which will be addressed later.
13. Repeat until all six squares are completed.
14. Arrange the squares and number them 1 to 6.
15. Trim each square to 14" using your ruler and rotary cutter.
16. Dab cut threads and intersections with seam sealant.
17. Cut a 4" strip down from the raw edge straight across the top from square #1.
18. Flatlock the 4" strip of square #1 to square #3.
19. Flatlock the remaining 10" section to square #2.
20. Flatlock square #2 to square #3 to form a vertical strip.
21. Cut square #5 across the middle to yield two equally sized pieces.
22. Flatlock the 7" strips to the top and bottom of square #4.
23. Flatlock this section to square #6 to form a vertical strip.
24. Finally flatlock the two strips together. You should end up with a completed section that is approximately 27 1/2" x 40". Trim as needed to yield proper size.
25. Adhere batting to wrong side of lining.
26. Set up serger for a 4-thread Overlock stitch. Thread needles and loopers with Janome Overlock thread.
27. Fold one 3 1/2" x 30" piece in half lengthwise, right sides together.
28. Serge along raw edge. Use 5/8" seam allowance.
29. Press seam as sewn and turn right side out.
30. Repeat for other strap. Insert webbing in both straps.
31. On the right side of the crazy quilt at the top (short side) place one end of one of the straps 6" in from the corner. Line up raw edges. Use glue stick to baste in place.
32. Place the other end of the strap 6" in from the opposite corner. Use glue stick to baste in place.
33. Repeat for other strap at opposite end. Set aside.
34. Fold one of the 3" x 12" pieces in half lengthwise, right sides together.
35. Using your presser foot as a guide for the seam allowance serge down the long side. Turn right side out.
36. Cut into 4" sections for button loops. Note: Depending on the size of the button you may want to cut the sections smaller.
37. Position one of the 4" pieces on one of the remaining 3" x 12" pieces, 1" in from the corner along a 12" side to form a button loop.
38. Position the 2nd 4" strip 1" in from the opposite corner to form another button loop.
39. Position the 3rd 4" strip in the center to form the final button loop.
40. Use your glue stick to baste the loops in place.
41. Layer the remaining 3" x 12" piece with the button loop piece, right sides together. Place the 3" x 12" piece of batting on the bottom.
42. Serge the two short sides and the one long side that has the button loops, using 1/2" seam allowance.
43. Turn right side out and press.
44. Place the crazy quilt section on top of the lining, with right sides together. Center and place the button loop piece on the right side of the lining piece between one of the straps. Place the 27" x 40" piece of batting on the bottom.
45. Serge both short sides where the handles have been place, using 1/2" seam allowance. Do not serge the long sides.
46. With right sides still together reposition the fabric so that you line up the seams. The result is crazy quilt to crazy quilt and lining to lining.
47. Serge down both long sides except for a 4" opening on one of the lining sides.
48. Press seams as sewn. Make a crease across the bottom of the crazy quilt and the lining.
49. To form the corners line up the seam with the creased line on the bottom.
50. Measure down 3" from the point and draw a line straight across the point that has now formed a triangle. The line should measure 6" across.
51. The line you drew is your stitching line. The needles must penetrate the fabric on the line. Serge across the corner.
52. Repeat for other three corners.
53. Turn right side out and press.
54. Hand sew opening closed.
55. Sew on buttons.