Patchwork quilts– like greetings from childhood. They are reminiscent of old village blankets made from various fragments of fabric in a grandmother’s house, where they sent their grandchildren to stay in the summer. Today, patchwork has gone beyond the boundaries of rural life and has turned from a sign of need into exclusive products. Having a blanket made from a bunch of cute squares is prestigious - it is expensive and not everyone can afford it. But you can learn how to sew it yourself - this art is not as difficult to master as it seems.
Patchwork and patchwork are synonymous words. Patchwork means the art of sewing from pieces of fabric. This type of needlework appeared in ancient times. It is believed that patchwork originated in Asia and came to Europe during the Crusades. Patchwork especially flourished during the time of the first American settlers, when Protestant women, out of poverty and the special frugality characteristic of Protestants, did not throw away old blankets and sheets, but sewed new ones from their pieces. In an attempt to create something beautiful from multi-colored pieces of fabric, patchwork was born.
Important: in patchwork it is important to be able to combine fabrics with each other in color. Beginners can be advised to start by creating monochromatic compositions, since it is easier to combine monochromatic materials with each other. You can combine plain fabrics and fabrics with a pattern. The combination of fabrics with different patterns requires a developed aesthetic taste.
In addition to blankets, there are other products in the patchwork style. This technique can be used with equal success to make bedspreads, pillowcases, bags, and dresses. Patchwork style bags look especially stylish and extraordinary. You can sew in this style not only from textiles, but also from leather, although it is much easier to sew from fabric. Textile bags are back in fashion today, so patchwork is experiencing a new round of popularity.
What is patchwork (video)
What is quilting
Quilting is, by and large, a slightly improved patchwork that combines:
- patchwork,
- embroidery,
- applique,
- the art of creating quilted things.
When quilting, they not only sew together different pieces of fabric, but also quilt the item and decorate it with appliqués and embroidery.
The item is made up of individual motifs – quilts. The quilt should be voluminous. Volume is created thanks to three layers. The first layer is the actual fabric composition, the second is a padding made of padding polyester or other materials, the third is wrong side made of fabric.
Important: the choice of fabric depends on what product is being sewn. For blankets are selected thick fabrics, mostly cotton. For the bag – leather, artificial leather, thick linen and cotton, velvet. For clothing - thinner and more delicate fabrics.
Quilting looks more elegant and advantageous than just patchwork. Quilt-style items can become a real work of art, especially if the quilt combines elegant embroidery, appliqué and a special type of stitching. Complex stitching is encouraged. The more complex the stitch pattern, the more interesting the quilting. In complex products, one stitch looks like original decor.
Quilting: history of needlework (video)
Where to look for ornaments
Before you start making blankets, bags or pillowcases, you need to develop a pattern and select fabric. It is difficult to develop an ornament on your own; experienced craftswomen can do this. And for the most part, they do not develop them completely, but use ready-made motifs, which they combine in different sequences, creating masterpieces. These motives are called schemes.
Patterns for patchwork exist in large quantities. Finding them is not difficult. There are websites where you can find patterns for a bag or a blanket. There are basic patterns on the basis of which many ornaments are made. They can also be downloaded from the Internet along with detailed description sequences of stitching individual motifs.
Basic circuits
Basic schemes are the basis of the basics. Based on them, you can create products of varying degrees of complexity. Having mastered the basic schemes, you can proceed to more complex compositions. But they are already used to create things that look aesthetically pleasing and complex.
Basic schemes include:
- "Sewing in squares"
- "Ohio Star"
- "Hourglass",
- "Carousel",
- "Card trick"
- "The Riddle of Solomon"
- "American Mystery"
- "English Park"
- "Log Cabin"
- "Oil Can"
- "Russian square"
- "Virginia Vortex"
Sewing with squares
The easiest way. This scheme does not cause difficulties. This is where you should start mastering patchwork and quilting. Here you just need to cut out squares of a certain size and sew them together.
Important: the beauty of the canvas depends on how even and uniform the cut squares are, the evenness of the stitching and the exact size of the allowances for all squares. If everything is followed, the corners will match and the front side will look perfect.
How to assemble a block of squares (video)
Hourglass and log cabin
The hourglass pattern involves combining strips of fabric in different combinations. Their width and length may vary. An hourglass is assembled from strips of varying lengths. A similar cut is used for a log cabin. Only in it the stripes are formed into squares.
Square and hourglass patterns are ideal for sewing simple quilts.
Ohio Star
Here the diagram is based on a triangle. Small squares are assembled from triangles, and from them a large square motif is created. Depending on the arrangement of the blocks, you can get completely different stars.
Most often, the Ohio Star is used for sewing blankets and pillowcases. But you can also use it as a single motif for sewing a bag in the quilting style.
English park, American mystery and carousel
Triangles are also used here. The diagrams suggest their different locations. The English park and carousel are already considered patterns of medium complexity. From triangles in an English park you can assemble patterns in the form of a mill, crosses, and zigzags. Triangles are used in the same way in the American riddle. The only difference is in their grouping. In the carousel, triangles are combined with squares, making the pattern in the motif more complex.
Carousel can already be a full-fledged pattern for sewing bags and clothes.
Card trick
This pattern combines fabrics of 5 colors. The pattern is combined from triangles. At the same time, large and small triangles are combined here, from which in turn large triangles are made.
This pattern looks very advantageous when sewing a bag. At the same time, it looks more interesting when there is only one motive.
Solomon's Riddle
These are already complex patterns in which the square is cut into two parts - or rather, a semicircle is cut out of it at one end. Next, these two motifs are combined in different combinations.
The “Riddle of Solomon” scheme is sometimes called the “drunkard’s way” or the “old maid’s riddle.” They are perfect for bedspreads, finishing clothes, and sewing bags.
Oil can
In the Butter Dish, basic squares are cut into triangles and rectangles. Next, squares made up in different combinations are combined into a large block square.
These patterns look great in bedspreads.
Russian square and Virginia vortex
Sewing a Russian square starts from the center of the central square. Next, triangles are applied.
This is a great pattern for a bag and especially pillowcases. Despite its apparent simplicity, quilling based on this pattern looks very beautiful.
The Virginia swirl, or monkey tail as it is also called, is sewn using the same principle and also from triangles. Only here they fold into a twisted spiral. A very effective pattern for pillowcases and bags. If you twist in the other direction, you can get tailed stars, which make excellent blocks for bedspreads.
Important: when planning to sew a patchwork product for the first time, many try to use the remnants of old things, combining them with scraps of new fabric left over after sewing. But in this case, when washed, the product may shrink unevenly and begin to look askew. Under no circumstances should you combine old and new fabric in products. In order for them to look perfect, you need to take only high-quality fabric.
Other schemes
Quilling and patchwork are not limited to the above mentioned patterns. Craftswomen are coming up with more and more new ways to combine geometric shapes among themselves. Darts can be considered very interesting schemes, where the center of the block consists of triangles, and the block itself is then entirely composed of trapezoids arranged in a circle. The diagrams where pentagons and octagons are combined look interesting. These circuits already require much greater skill in precision fitting. But quilting-style products with stitches based on them look aesthetically pleasing and expensive.
Master class on patchwork sewing (video)
There is no doubt that you should try to sew a bag or a blanket in the quilting style with your own hands. Schemes for the product can be found on any site dedicated to patchwork. The main thing is to start with simple basic schemes in order to get better at it and not be disappointed in your abilities. Even the simplest products will look beautiful and stylish - for this you just need to take high-quality fabrics and do not forget about accuracy and precision in work.
Quilting: ideas for inspiration (photo)
Good afternoon, dear friends!
I came across incredibly beautiful bags on Pintrest, followed by other products. If anyone is in the know, on this site photographs on the topic are immediately offered in huge quantities. And all this was done using the Hawaiian quilt technique. Only I didn’t know this name yet.
I looked at and admired the photo for a long time, and decided to definitely find out the details about the technique of making quilts and how you can create such beauty with your own hands.
Even though I knit rather than sew, these are great creative works inspire and provide aesthetic pleasure.
Hawaiian quilting - what is it?
Let's start by learning a little theory and first finding out what the quilt technique is.
Quilting translated from English is stitching and in this type of creativity quilted products are produced. But not just blankets, if you're thinking.
In general, they were the first to sew quilted clothes, and where? In China!
In the 16th century, the quilting technique reached England and they were already producing beautiful, rich blankets from Indian fabrics, which were decorated with embroidery.
A classic quilt involves making a canvas from three layers of fabric: a colorful front, inner filler and lining. In short, the technique is to layer these layers together and quilt them. It is the stitch that gives the product a beautiful and elegant look, creating convex patterns on the surface.
The top layer can simply be from beautiful material with patterns, or sewn from scraps, which determines the name - patchwork quilt.
In traditional English quilting, patchwork is most often used to create geometric patterns.
IN modern types sewing is now quite popular crazy quilt or crazy quilt, as it is also called. It combines flaps of completely different shapes in a chaotic manner.
The Japanese quilt combines English geometry, oriental patterns, style, as well as appliqué, while silk fabrics are preferred, but not only them, of course.
In the Hawaiian quilt, products are decorated with appliqués of flowers, floral patterns, images of birds and animals, and different figures, cut out according to the same principle as we cut out snowflakes from paper, i.e. the patterns are obtained with radial symmetry.
This is what I wanted to tell you about in more detail.
Blankets and bedspreads decorated with Hawaiian roses and other ornaments have long been distributed throughout the world.
But modern needlework has stepped far forward, and now such quilted things are produced not so much for the purpose of having something to cover themselves with, but for their creative fulfillment. Moreover, the masters come up with incredible models and compositions, you’re simply amazed!
They sew pillows, rugs, napkins, bags, and even paintings!
Take a look at the photos of just some of the works using the quilt technique, they are incredibly inspiring! I hope that even those who are skeptical about patchwork will look at it with new eyes.
And I’m generally impressed by the paintings. I posted here the simplest one I’ve seen. This is absolutely incredible, I tell you!
Quilt technique
I managed to find out all the features of the execution technique, I think that it does not pose any particular difficulties, even for those who have minimal sewing skills. All you need is patience and accuracy.
I will describe everything to you step by step, I hope it will be clear.
The materials we will need are fabrics, filler, needles, threads, scissors, a pattern template, and a sewing machine.
Many materials are now used as filler, even those specially produced for quilting: not only cotton wool, padding polyester and batting, but also interlining, bamboo, cotton, linen.
Cutting out the parts
I will no longer say obvious things that you must first select the material and cut out the main fabric of the future product and its parts.
We are more interested in the application.
We chose a drawing, transferred it to cardboard and cut out a template.
Only for the classic Hawaiian quilt are symmetrical patterns used, where special patterns are desirable, however, you can even take patterns for cutting out snowflakes.
But in principle, in our creativity, deviations from the rules are possible, then whatever you like will do, any picture, flower, leaf. It’s easier to work with them: put the template on the fabric, trace the outline with a pencil, marker, chalk, cut it out, leaving an allowance of 5-7 mm from the outline, don’t forget about it! The blank for the applique is ready.
With Hawaiian templates it’s a little more difficult, because you need to cut out a perfectly even, symmetrical part. To do this, the fabric is folded four times or two, eight times depending on the template, it is cleaved to avoid displacement, the template is applied, outlined and cut out.
If you are afraid that the fabric cannot be avoided, draw a pattern on the unfolded fabric, applying the template from the center to the left up, then up to the right and the same at the bottom.
How to sew an applique
Now let’s literally do it step by step:
- We attach the prepared application to to the right place on the front side of the fabric.
- We baste the workpiece to the main fabric, laying a basting seam along the edge, while you need to step back from the contour by the amount of the allowance.
- Fold the seam allowance inward and hem the applique along the contour using hidden stitches.
- In the corners, in places of curves, we make transverse cuts on the allowance.
- If the pattern has internal slits, we pass around their outline with a basting stitch, retreating 5-7 mm, and then make a cut in the middle. Fold and hem the seam allowance.
Stitch
After the entire applique is sewn on the front side of the product, we assemble our sandwich from all three layers and begin stitching.
- On the lower lining piece we place the filler, cut to the same dimensions, on top of our beautiful detail with applique.
- We sew all the parts together with a large basting seam, making sure that the edges match.
- We stitch along the outline of the pattern on the outside and in the slots. This is done both by machine and by hand with stitches of 2-3 mm.
- Next, you need to draw lines around the outline of the drawing at a distance of 1.5 cm from each other.
- We stitch along all the outlined lines.
Edge processing
It is more convenient to process a rather thick edge of products with bias tape. A strip 8 cm wide, cut on the bias from fabric, is folded in half, ironed and basted along the edge of the product on the front side. Fold it further inside out and sew it on.
Schemes and templates for the Hawaiian quilt technique
The quilt patterns were not my thing, here are just a few as examples. But I also came across one interesting flower template, maybe it will be useful to someone, I posted it too.
I look forward to your comments and impressions about the quilt technique and products using the Hawaiian quilt technique in particular.
I would even try, you can start with the same pot holder, and have a bag like this for the summer, and even made with your own hands! And if it’s difficult to make a whole blanket, then you can try to make one, it’s also very beautiful and stylish!
Patchwork, patchwork, quilting, textile mosaic - all these are types of needlework that are based on one principle - creating a single composition from individual patches. With the help of these handicrafts you can create very original items wardrobe, fashion accessories and interior textiles.
Grandma's old quilts made from scraps were forgotten for a long time. And only thanks to different countries patchwork work has returned again and sparkled with new colors. Today in almost every fashion season you may see garments created using patchwork, or fabrics whose prints perfectly imitate this technique.
Missoni and 2 photos of Etro.
Patchwork and imitation style in fashion collections.
Many types of needlework that involve patchwork have different names. But today let’s remember one of the patchwork techniques called quilting. American women claim that they were the first to use this technique. Quilting is a quilted fabric created from scraps.
A little history of quilting
Patchwork has been practiced by many peoples since ancient times, so American women still have to prove that they were the founders of quilting. It is known that quilted multi-layer clothing was created in ancient times in Japan and China.
The technology of sewing from scraps existed in the 15th century. in Italy. In every country there were similar types of needlework, because it is impossible to name a place on Earth where everyone would live well-fed and happily, and therefore many women tried to save money in their household, carefully preserving scraps of fabric so that, if necessary, they could sew something for themselves or members of your family.
Even in a country like England, when prices for colorful Indian fabrics increased, women began to value every piece. But let's not dispute the primacy of American women in the creation of quilting and patchwork. Let them claim that it is theirs. Each nation brought its own technique and its own vision of beauty to needlework.
Difference between patchwork and quilting styles
Patchwork and quilting are patchwork sewing. However, there is a difference between them. Patchwork consists of combining multi-colored patches of textile or knitted fabric into whole cloth. Most often, patchwork is done in one layer.
Includes not only patchwork technique, but also embroidery, appliqué, and the main feature of quilting is various types stitches. Quilting is also distinguished by its volume and multi-layered nature. The quilted surface of the product is decorated with different types sewing Finished works made using this technique are called quilts.
Patchwork seen as separate equipment sewing, and quilting is a combination of several techniques at once. In other words, patchwork differs from quilting in a narrower focus. The essence of patchwork is to create a beautiful canvas from many different fragments, which may differ in shape, size and color.
The shapes of the fragments can create an ornament, or they can have a chaotic connection. To obtain certain results in patchwork, there are special techniques that reveal the sequence of arrangement of scraps of material.
Patchwork is just a component of quilting. In quilting, scraps also create a pattern or ornament, but in addition, quilts can contain embroidery, appliqué, and necessarily stitches, which can be decorative in themselves and create fancy patterns. It is the stitches that connect all layers of the product. Quilting - stitching, quilting.
Quilt products are always voluminous and soft due to the “air” layer, for example, from padding polyester. The interlayer is placed between the top and bottom layers of the product. In the patchwork technique, things are not always voluminous.
There is another difference between patchwork and quilting; patchwork can be knitted. In this case, fragments are created and connected to each other using a hook or knitting needles. And so we will conclude and look at the beautiful quilts created by the hands of craftswomen.
Patchwork
Separate equipment
Creating a canvas from fragments
The product is not always voluminous
Can be knitted
Combination of different techniques
Quilting is required
The product is always voluminous
Photo above - Balmain
Photo below - BCBG Max Azria
Wausau, Wisconsin
01/3/2018
Quilting (eng. quilting) - making quilted products, patchwork sewing.
These works are part of an exhibition of quilts, which is taking place these days at the Art Museum
city of Wausau. Several dozen quilts were presented at the exhibition, but
today I will show only those that depict birds. The works are not only
in the patchwork technique (specifically patchwork), but also in other artistic
techniques for working with fabric.
"Will we save whooping cranes"? Sara Sharp (Texas)
Quilt making has always been an essential part of American life.
and culture. Quilted products came to the New World along with settlers
in the 20s of the 17th century. Due to a shortage of fabrics, they were repaired
using pieces of old clothes. Further fabric shortages cemented the tradition
make quilted products from scraps. They became more complex over time,
each craftswoman tried to create a quilt with her own special pattern and combination
flowers. Traditionally, American housewives collected top part quilt in winter.
All the neighbors gathered in the spring to quilt the product, and in the evenings, after work,
men joined them.
"Scared Rooster" Judith Peterson (Oregon)
American quilts created before 1750 are made using the patchwork technique.
Later (before 1850) appliqué became popular. They were considered especially exquisite
floral motifs, covering the entire surface of the product.
At first I tried to take down the title of each work and the name of its author, but then
I abandoned this idea. Here are some of them:
"Quiet Morning" Ann Myhre (Colorado)
"Gift from China" Ann Myhre (Colorado)
"Dodo Bird" Susan Carlso (Maine)
"Two Creatures" Judith Roderick (New Mexico)
"Ravens" Jill Kertulla (Virginia)
"What's Happening in the Swamp?" Christine Holden (Florida)
And here at least bat, not a bird, but also with wings, so let
will be in this company.
Quilt called "Long-necked cats and long-legged birds" by Kathy
York (Texas), has become my favorite. The bird here is quite small, but
what beautiful cats!
"Boogie Night" Diana Ferguson (Tennessee)
"Yellow-headed Bird" Sandra Pateet (California)
Each of the works of hand-patchwork virtuosos is unique, each
A piece of the author's soul is embedded in them.
