All about patchwork

Craftswomen of different ages, place of residence and degree of passion for needlework make amazing things from small pieces of fabric. Patchwork, quilting, patchwork or patchwork mosaic - this can be called a creative direction that glorifies the combination of different scraps of fabric in a harmonious composition. It appeared a long time ago. Patchwork has experienced more than one wave of popularity, and today its demand is again at its peak.

If you lay out the scraps of fabric in a planned order, like a mosaic, sew together and quilt on a typewriter, you will get a new product from heterogeneous fragments. It will be beautiful precisely due to different components, pleasant variegation and a successful compositional solution.

It's impossible to say exactly where the patchwork came from. A combination of different pieces of fabric is mentioned in the sources of Ancient Egypt, China and Japan, India. So the progenitor of modern patchwork sewing may be so ancient that it will be completely impossible to trace the entire history of the development of the direction.

Assembling a one-piece suit from shreds is more related to the eastern tradition. And this was nothing more than a tribute to economy, constrained opportunities and living conditions. But that is why a person is a person in order to turn everyday life, far from romance, into art. The patchwork puzzle has gradually taken over the whole world. Although not always happy events contributed to this.

So, many culturologists are sure: the popularity of patchwork in Europe may be due to the crusades. The clash of two cultures led not only to bloodshed, but also to a mutually beneficial exchange.The knights brought colorful, chic oriental fabrics as trophies, and adopted sewing techniques (including patchwork) from people from the East.

And already contacts between England and India became a prerequisite for the fact that To this day, the British are considered the "parents" of patchwork... The British brought tea, spices and fabric from India. But at the beginning of the 18th century, the British government decided to support its own production and abandoned imported fabrics.

Well, the European population that settled in the New World brought its traditions to America. And the conditions of scarcity became a catalyst for the development of patchwork sewing. Today patchwork is a huge multinational trend.

The types of patchwork are understood as a huge number of techniques and techniques, techniques and features of working with patches. Since in every point of the planet, craftsmen have their own opinion on patchwork, they decided to consolidate this right in the names of the types of patchwork.

Important: quilting and patchwork are actually the same thing... It is not a mistake to name patchwork with each of these words. "Patchwork" translates as "a piece of patchwork." Real quilting requires 3 layers of fabric (main fabric, fill and backing), and all 3 layers are quilted.

Now let's look at the types of patchwork.

• English technique... It is the most popular destination in the world. It is characterized by clear geometry, laconic drawing and rather restrained decorative elements. Things are sewn from parts of the same shape and size.

• Classical technique... This is still the same English style, but the product is a canvas sewn from calico squares of two basic colors, strictly ordered. It is recommended for beginners to start with the classics: everything is clear, simple, accessible.

• Crazy... A great creative style for freelance artists. This is an extravagant patchwork mosaic, the difference of which lies not even in the seeming randomness of the arrangement of the fragments, but in the decorative processing of the seams between them.

• Eastern technique... It combines classical geometry and free patterns, and the severity and smoothness of lines. In this style, you can create not only ornaments and symmetrical images, but also plot pictures. The difference between oriental patchwork is that it uses silk. Many finished products are decorated with Chinese and other work with tassels, fringes, beads, stones, embroidery.

• Japanese style. It combines the traditional Japanese technique "sashiko" (forward stitch) with "yoshigi-re". Real Japanese patchwork is sewn only by hand. The boro technique with a pronounced ethnic orientation is reminiscent of darning. Numerous patches are deliberately used in it, but skillfully sewn, aesthetically perfect.

• Knitted patchwork. Separate large branch. Can combine knitted pieces and colored pieces of fabric.

Patchwork is diverse, but that's why it is interesting... Combinations of fabrics and contrasting threads, combinations of shapes and decorative stitches, the appearance of new lines and transitions - this is like a creative puzzle, over the solution of which the needlewomen are ready to spend days and evenings.

For beginners, for inspiration and comparatively quick success, you need to do something simple, in the most ordinary technique. That is, in the traditional one.The basis will be a fabric cloth, on which sewn shreds are superimposed on the wrong side. A figure folded from pieces (squares, stripes) will be the front side of the product.

The principle of sewing "mill" (it is used by beginners for training) is as follows.

1. One block contains 2 squares of colored and plain fabric. To sew a rug or blanket, you need several blocks. Colored and monochromatic squares must be placed with their front side inward, making a diagonal marking.
2. Next, the fabric should be stitched 6 mm apart on each diagonal side.
3. The diagonally sewn square needs to be cut.
4. The seams should be ironed, the squares open and ironed again.
5. The protruding parts are cut off, the block is prepared for stitching.
6. The first two squares, as well as 3 and 4, must be sewn vertically together.
7. Expand the squares, iron them, directing the seams in different directions.
8. Two blanks should be sewn together, the seams should be in the middle, directed in equal directions. And iron it again.
9. You can sew a strip between the blocks, connecting all the parts into one whole.

The easiest technique is considered to be the "chess" squares technique, as well as the "Russian square", "quick squares". The stripe technique will be no less striking. Geometric shapes (triangles, rhombuses) in patchwork are also quite common.

The technique is most easily mastered in the process of work, because a self-sufficient product is assembled from simple scraps of different fabrics. It can be done in any style: from traditional to oriental. The value of such a product is great: everything that is made with high quality by hand cannot be compared with the mass market.

If handicraft is your vocation, then you probably already have fabrics and various decorative elements in your collection that can be used in patchwork. If you decide to start from scratch, you will have to look for fabric and tools. Good, high quality, beautiful fabrics can be ordered from the online store.

You can take new or used materials. The main thing is that they are clean and washed (even new fabric needs to be washed to shrink). If the fabric shreds are not new, it makes sense to lightly starch and iron them.

Experts recommend not to forget about the following selection rules.

• The easiest to work with are cotton fabrics: they perfectly keep their shape, are maximally convenient in cutting and sewing. Finally, they are natural and relatively inexpensive. Napkins, potholders, lunch mats, kettle warmers, various capes, pillows and blankets are beautifully designed from cotton.
• Gabardine, tweed and even drape can also be used in patchwork mosaics. They make panels, thick blankets and rugs.
• Silk scraps can also be used, but silk fragments wear out quickly. Therefore, silk can be used to model patchwork paintings, but it is not worth it for pillows and blankets that are practically used.
• Jersey for patchwork rarely used, since it is difficult to sew from it. But things made of leather (including artificial ones) are made regularly.

Fabrics can be combined, but this is not always successful. On sale today you can find kits for creativity, which in the kit already have fragments of fabric that are ideally combined with each other.

A diagram is an instruction that will allow you not to get lost in colored patches and do everything technologically correct. Today, it is not necessary to draw diagrams yourself: it is enough to find an interesting option on the Internet, print it on a printer and cut it into parts. More experienced craftsmen make templates themselves, because they can intuitively understand how a new model from shreds will look like.

Little tips:

• no need to throw away templates, even if it seems that you are unlikely to want to repeat a specific product, or everything is already clear and the memory will not let you down;
• for storing circuits convenient to use file folders, since in the boxes the circuits are crumpled, lost, confused;
• on the details of the scheme, you can make notes regarding the choice of fabric: when the product is ready, it becomes clear whether the colors and materials are arranged in a suitable way;
• pattern patterns do scissors along the dotted lines: not all templates leave a seam allowance, this must be taken into account;
• you can independently draw up a diagram on a Whatman paper: indicate on the drawing an ornament or pattern, the required number of details, possible colors of fabrics.

Sewing is a technological process. Only very talented people with an excellent eye and an enviable sense of composition can do without patterns and patterns. Do not overestimate your own capabilities: it is better to tinker a little longer, but the result will be flawless.

The most actively used are 2 patchwork sewing techniques: American and block. In the first case, identical shapes are swept to each other using paper templates. Then a seam allowance for a turn-in is made, and then the part is swept again. Block tactics are more often used in modern master classes. Triangular or square elements are connected in blocks. Then they are sewn to the base, getting a volumetric beautiful pattern.

If we are talking about a crazy patchwork, they deal with the seams in a fundamentally different way: they must be decorated. This can be masking the seam with an elegant braid, lace, ribbons, beads. Artistic seam ("curly") is popular, unusual options imitating the tracks of birds, a herringbone, falling snowflakes, etc. Buttons, beads, beads, rhinestones can be woven and sewn into artistic stitches.

First, it will be superfluous to learn the basics of cutting: there are many little tricks that will come in handy in your work. For example, frames are considered the most useful templates. The inner part should be equal to the size of the fragment, taking into account the seam allowances. When making a pattern, the frame is circled twice, and cut only along the outer contour - the inner contour shows the seam line.

The pattern is transferred to the fabric with chalk, because any pen, alas, will leave traces. Cutting is necessary only along the shared thread (to avoid skewing). The shreds are cut with regular scissors or a cutter.

Let's take a look at 7 important points about patchwork.

• Work must start from the center... The central flap is usually selected the most noticeable, bright, accent. It can be glued to the base or fastened with a pin. One patch in a fabric mosaic is sewn to another, the movement goes in a single direction. The product looks great in which a triangle or polygon becomes the central part.
• It is very important to combine the colors correctly, after all, the coloristic solution is sometimes the main factor of success. The patches can be contrasting, have different shades of the same color. You can move from light to dark or vice versa. It is useful to be guided by the color rulers.
• It makes sense for beginners to take a closer look at the contrast technique. One piece with another can be sewn according to the "color chaos" rule.
• Decation cannot be avoided. This term refers to wet heat treatment, which eliminates shrinkage of the fabric during sewing and use.
• Iron the fragments of the patchwork product on the front side... For contrasting fabrics, press the seam allowances to the darker side.If two rows are sewn from the component parts, all the seam allowances of one row are ironed in one direction, the allowances of the second - in the other.
• Long stripes on the ironing board are not laid horizontally, but vertically... This eliminates the skewing of the stripes to one side.
• The stitch is always carried out from the center outward. First, the corners of the upper and lower layers are sewn together (if it is quilting).

The variety of things made using the patchwork technique is impressive. A cover for an armchair or chair, blankets and bedspreads with appliqués, bed linen (especially for babies), textiles in the kitchen, decor for a room for children - and this is just the beginning of the list of patchwork products.

Let's see what products are most popular among needlewomen.

• Lunchmats... These are the kitchen napkins that decorate the table, adding coziness to the space. You can also make a long path with hanging edges on the table.

• Tablecloth. Difficult and long work, but such a thing is quite capable of becoming a family heirloom.

• Apron. A very simple product, even schoolgirls can handle this task.

• Pillowcase... When it's time to update your cushion covers, vibrant patchwork patterns come to the rescue.

• Kettle warmer... Very cozy decor, can be made in the form of houses, stars, flowers, Christmas tree, etc.

• A box for all sorts of handicrafts. If a craftswoman wants to present herself, then potential customers will definitely not ignore such an element in social networks.

• Cosmetic bag or soft purse for jewelry. The product looks perfect in the form of a kaleidoscope.

• Lady's bag... Most often this is a summer option, but you can also practice leather patchwork.

• Coat. A challenge for the pros, since it turns out an absolutely designer thing (like a vest, pullover, sweater, jacket).

• Cape for furniture on wooden legs (for example, a New Year's tablecloth for a festive coffee table).

• Moodboard (board of wishes, notes, visual information). Here you can pin the stickers to the textile patchwork backing. For a needlewoman reviewing her work on social networks, this will be an interesting trick.

• Christmas decorations... Birds, roses, mouth-watering pineapples and tangerines, sweets - all this can be done quickly and easily in a patchwork style.

Examples are needed for inspiration: bright, accurate, maybe unusual. And the next review contains just such works.

• Patchwork quilt can become one of the fond memories of childhood for a baby. And it will also be an attribute of the child's first photo sessions.

• Painting on the wall is an elegant solution. Patchwork will suit a huge number of interior styles.

• Very cute pillows just for beginners who are afraid of complex shapes.

• Napkins and lunch mats will make any interior warmer and more comfortable.

• Track on the table - self-sufficient decorative element. You can make seasonal and holiday options.

• With such bag you can go for an evening walk, light shopping and even a little trip.

• The cutest kettle warmers will be loved by all household members and guests.

• For summer photo shoots and a sunny mood, this sundress is a must!

• Bedspread on the sofa in the living room should be conducive to relaxation and comfort. This blanket will definitely cope with such a task.

• Graceful handbag Crazy patchwork: elegant, vintage, catchy.

• Patchwork transforms space, sets the mood and masks small room imperfections.

• Carpet or panel - you can call it whatever you like, the main thing is that it is very cute.

The video below shows three ways to assemble patchwork blocks.