Controlled Chaos by Anonymous

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This was a fun find in an antique store during a brief stop in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. The price was most definitely right—actually, a steal of a deal. Each patch is hand sewn with a technique that uses a type of quilting running stitch that is top stitched right along the folded edges. It doesn’t use the typical blind stitch used in traditional appliqué.

I bought the quilt in a bit of haste, but once I got it home an got a good look, I was so pleased to see the harmony of all these fabric. They repeat in places over the surface giving continuity in overall color. They also are all of the same era, same general style.

Then, the craziness of the crazy patchwork is subdued by the blocks having definition. There are nine rectangular primary blocks in the quilt. The top doesn’t have an additional border, but the left, right, and bottom, have an obvious border which also controls the chaos. Thus, the name I have given this wonderful find in my collection.

Like a typical crazy quilt, there is no batting inside - so it is more of a summer coverlet. But unlike a typical crazy quilt, there are no embroidered embellishments anywhere on it. Now - for one of the hardest jigsaw puzzled to date. Are you up for the challenge?