Your choice here. Personally, if possible, I like to wash all cottons, any antique fabric that can be washed or cleaned and my muslin or base fabric. Traditionally, crazy quilted pieces are not the type of item that one would or could wash- spot clean- but not actually wash. Dry cleaning could be done on a piece that does not have silk ribbon embroidery and embellishments.

No,- any stable cotton type fabric can be used. I specify muslin because most of us have this somewhere in our stash- and no one wants to cut up a "good" piece of cotton we might use in another quilt!

You need something to hold together the pieces of fabric that comprise the crazy quilt. Without the base, your piece would not be stable enough to work any embroidery.

No. There are several ways to sew your fabrics to the base. This is just the method I have found most of my students prefer in the beginning. Originally the fabrics were just placed on the muslin base utilizing the shape of the scrap at hand. Then the edges were turned under and the embroidery stitches actually held everything together. My experience with this method was a disaster- the fabrics poked out under every stitch and even with a hoop ended up very lumpy. The next try, I appliqued the fabrics on the muslin and then did the embroidery on top. Much better results!

Basically, anything. Traditionally, crazy quilts were made with whatever fabrics the individual had available. A pioneer woman might have included pieces from her baby's clothing, her husband's old work shirt- pieces from her dresses and probably would be mostly cottons and wools. A lady in a city who had access to silks and velvets would use those fabrics. Silk cigar ribbons were a favorite embellishment of the time- and any laces as they usually were hand made or tatted. Today, the sky is the limit. I like to mix silks, velvets, fancy cotton fabrics, satins and any other fabric as long as it is supple enough to work the embroidery stitches.

Perfect opportunity for an embellishment! A tatted applique piece- some silk ribbon embroidery- or a grouping of buttons can be placed over the "problem".

Most large crazy quilts are made starting with blocks of 8" to 12". A large piece could be done all in one piece,- however, it would be difficult to handle in all the embroidery process and probably a nightmare in the piecing process. If you want the look of a piece being done as a whole, make the squares but do not trim the edges of your fabrics- thus you will not truly have "squares". Put the squares together and then applique the open edges on the large piece. For most pieces, squares are used- as remember, these are decorative pieces- not necessarily functional ( like a bedspread). If you are working on an odd shaped piece like a Christmas stocking, or a dress collar- yes,- work the piece as a whole starting from one side( or the top or bottom) and working your way to the opposite end.

Experience has taught me that the finished piece looks better using prints at a minimum and "solid" appearing fabric more frequently. Prints add color and movement to your piece and that can be an added enhancement. Often, this will define the colors you will select for your embroidery and embellishments. The "solid" fabrics allow you the opportunity to show your creativity- even if it is just to sew on purchased trims and appliques. It also allows you the space to embroider objects or flower groupings or photo transfers so that they show up nicely and are not overwhelmed by a busy print.

For a wall hanging or a larger quilt, this is not a bad idea. It will help to keep the piece hanging straight. Traditionally, batting was used either between the muslin foundation piece and the crazy quilt pieces, or between the foundation muslin and the backing- and many had no batting at all. Some of the battings were literally just an old woolen blanket, some were cotton. The first vest I made I used a lightweight batting and decided right then and there not to use batting on such an item again. It was too stiff and heavy- very uncomfortable to wear. So,- it is up to you.

Again,- some of the older quilts were bound, many were just pillowcased. It is up to you.

There is a very subtle difference in the overall textural effect of the hand dyed threads. The first comment most people make about my work is that it has so much texture and depth. I still love to use DMC perle cotton and truthfully will use any thread as long as I can thread it through a needle- and if I cannot,- I couch it on the top. To me it is like the difference in using a true solid cotton fabric vs. a Bali hand dyed fabric in a traditional quilt. It makes the finished product more interesting visually when used appropriately.