All about patchwork clothes

Patchwork is one of the oldest techniques for making original products from fragments of fabric, leather, suede and other materials. Despite the fact that the history of the existence of this technique goes back several centuries, it continues to be popular both among simple needlewomen and among the legendary masters of the modern fashion industry. In the article we will analyze what a patchwork is, for whom clothes made in this technique are suitable, with what things it is recommended to combine such clothes.

Patchwork or patchwork sewing is a special kind of technique for creating various products by sewing together fragments of fabric and / or other materials. With the help of this type of needlework, not only clothes for adults and children are made, but also many household items and accessories. - for example, bedding, bedspreads, capes, bags, hats, stuffed animals.

For all its visual simplicity, patchwork is a rather laborious technique. Its most difficult aspects include:

• search for a harmonious color solution (selection of contrasting or consonant colors and shades);
• observance of the maximum accuracy of the cut when preparing flaps and assembling the cloth.

Clothes made using the patchwork technique look original and catchy. Models of such clothes can be found in the collections of many famous brands - for example, such as Christian Dior, Calvin Klein, Versace, Valentino, Tom Ford. According to some fashion observers, patchwork as a fashion trend will not lose its relevance for many years to come, due to its originality, integrity and simplicity.

Clothes made with patchwork techniques are usually chosen by people who want to demonstrate their independence from ever-changing fashion trends. Most often, such clothes are preferred by young men and women who value comfortable, bright and unusual things.

For men and women of mature age who are fans of clothes with patchwork elements, stylists recommend not forgetting about moderation when choosing suitable things. According to experts, they should give preference to clothes made in discreet and restrained color combinations.

Patchwork in children's clothes looks very original and appropriate. Bright and cheerful patchwork technique is welcomed in the design of both light summer outfits for children, and warm demi-season and winter wardrobe items.

The art of patchwork has developed and improved over the centuries in different parts of the world. The first samples of products made in this technique, according to scientists, originated in the days of Ancient Egypt. Much later, patchwork arose and began to develop in the countries of North America and Europe, acquiring its own specific, national features.

Currently, designers distinguish between several main varieties of patchwork. These include:

• classic style (English);
• Oriental;
• Japanese.

The design of clothes made using the English patchwork technique is characterized by simplicity and conciseness, symmetry and proportionality. The assembly of the fabric of such products is usually carried out from patches of regular geometric shapes - rectangular, square, triangular. The color palette is dominated by restrained pastel shades.

The design of clothes, made in the technique of oriental patchwork, is notable for its catchiness, pomp and intricacy. In the design of such clothes, regular geometric and asymmetrical ornate patterns are often combined. The most popular materials used to create oriental patchwork clothing are natural silk, velvet, satin and brocade. In addition, oriental patchwork is characterized by the use of fragments of fabric with gold embroidery, as well as decor from bright and contrasting fringes, sequins, rhinestones.

Clothing made using the Japanese patchwork technique is notable for its restrained and modest design. Minimalism and rigor are more characteristic of this technique. At the dawn of the development of patchwork in Japan, needlewomen tried to give the product from the scraps left over from old things the most attractive and neat look. In modern Japanese patchwork, the same neatness and simplicity can be traced. Japanese-style patchwork is characterized by uncomplicated colors, strict geometry of stitched blocks, as well as the use of restrained, pastel shades and graceful floral and animalistic ornaments.

Special attention should be paid to the original patchwork sewing technique called quilt-crazy. This term is used to denote a special technique of making quilted items from randomly sewn patches (from the English words quilt - "to quilt" and crazy - "crazy"). Distinctive features of the design of products made in this technique are extravagance, asymmetry, randomly located fabric scraps, as well as decorated seams.

The quilt-crazy technique is often used to make warm quilted clothes for children - jackets, pants, overalls. It is also used in the manufacture of warm outerwear for adults - coats, down jackets, vests, winter jackets.

Clothes made using the patchwork technique are most successfully combined with wardrobe items in casual and ethnic styles. Besides, with its help, you can easily create a catchy and original image in boho or grunge styles.

A jacket or jacket made using the patchwork technique can act as a spectacular element of a casual style image. Designers recommend combining such a wardrobe item with plain clothes in neutral colors - black, white, graphite gray. A dark thin pullover, skinny black jeans or straight leather trousers can be an excellent addition to a jacket or jacket made using the patchwork technique.

A skirt made using the patchwork technique, designers advise to combine with shirts and blousesmatched to one of the flaps. It is allowed to combine such skirts with classic dark blue or light blue denim shirts.

Shirts made using the patchwork technique are harmoniously combined with jeans, narrow-cut trousers, and monophonic boho-style skirts. They can be combined with denim breeches, shorts, leggings.

Patchwork jackets, according to the designers, can be used as one of the basic elements of an image in ethnic or informal street style.... It is recommended to combine such outerwear with plain ripped jeans, cropped trousers, insulated leggings.

To avoid disharmony in the image, you should not combine clothes made of rags with things of variegated and bright colors. In addition, designers do not recommend mixing patchwork and catchy, multi-colored prints in one look.

The use of clothes of neutral (basic) shades allows you to emphasize the brightness and originality of things made in the patchwork technique. An example of this is a bold ensemble consisting of a short quilted jacket, black straight-leg trousers and a slim crew-neck jumper. Such an ensemble will be an excellent outfit option for a cool summer, warm dry spring or autumn.

Clothes made with the help of patchwork technique are regularly presented by leading brands at haute couture fashion shows. An example of a very interesting image here can be an ensemble of straight wide gray trousers, a black tight-fitting turtleneck and an elongated reddish-red-brown coat made of genuine leather patches. This ensemble was presented by the Italian brand Tod's at Milan Fashion Week as part of the current fall collection.

With the help of clothes made using the patchwork technique, you can easily create men's business looks. An excellent confirmation of this is the ensemble, consisting of a classic dark blue two-piece suit and a semi-long coat made from large patches of pearl, smoky and dark gray wool. A strict straight cut, neutral colors, symmetrical arrangement of details and classic knee-length allow this coat model to organically fit into the presented business image.

Patchwork is a versatile technique suitable for making smart clothes for children. As a simple, but very beautiful example, we can cite a multi-colored children's dress with a half-length skirt cut from contrasting patches. A navy denim jacket is a great addition to this patchwork outfit.