Patchwork is a kind of handicraft, which involves the manufacture of various things from colored pieces of fabric, assembled according to the principle of a mosaic. Patchwork is also called patchwork.
Patchwork history
Patchwork in one form or another existed in the ancient world. However, it was of extremely practical importance, since it allowed the use of tissue scraps and skin trimmings. In the 16th century, bright Indian cotton with printed or embroidered patterns began to enter the English market. Bedspreads and pillows made of this material quickly became fashionable. Patchwork as a handicraft arose from a shortage of cotton fabrics caused by the ban in England on the trade in Indian fabric in 1712. Prices for chintz rose sharply, and the scraps left over from the cutting of clothes were not thrown away, but sewn together, making mainly home textiles.
Immigrants from Britain brought the patchwork with them to the territory of the modern United States. Here, this handicraft has become extremely popular and partially merged with quilting - the sewing of quilts. In America, many of the traditional patchwork blocks that are still in use today were invented.
In Russia, a thrifty attitude to fabrics was widespread among the peasants. Quilts, bedspreads, rugs, etc. were sewn from the scraps. Patchwork with applique elements became popular in Russia at the end of the 19th century, when many cheap domestic fabrics appeared on the market and sewing machines began to be used. Traditional Russian patchwork sewing is characterized by the assembly of parts without using a base, overlapping patchwork and the use of elements of different sizes in one pattern.
Patchwork materials and tools
In patchwork, you can use any fabrics and even trims of leather or fur, but the vast majority of work in this technique is done from printed cotton. You can pick up patchwork patches yourself using trimmings from sewing. In modern handicraft stores there are special sets with small pieces of fabric, already matched to each other in color and pattern.
To cut pieces of fabric, you will need a ruler or tape measure, as well as chalk, a marker pen, or a pencil for working with the fabric. A well-sharpened tailor's scissors with sharp points are also needed. The iron is not directly related to sewing, but after ironing, the fabric lays down smoother, which greatly simplifies the work.
Millimeter paper and simple pencils are needed by the craftswoman to create patterns for individual elements of the work. Pins, handmade sewing needles, threads and thimbles are used in the preliminary basting step.
The sewing machine is the main tool for assembling the product. For patchwork, you do not need to purchase an expensive device with a huge number of functions. You can successfully use a simple electric clipper with a few decorative stitches.
