Patchwork or patchwork, patchwork mosaic is a type of needlework in which, according to the mosaic principle, a whole product is sewn together from pieces of fabric (shreds). In the process of work, a canvas is created with a new color scheme, pattern, and sometimes texture. Modern craftsmen also create three-dimensional compositions using the patchwork technique. All stitching seams in a patchwork fabric are on its reverse side. In Russia, the patchwork technique has long been used, in particular for the manufacture of quilts (patchwork quilts) and other products.
In Russia, sewing from rags became widespread in the second half of the 19th century with the appearance of foreign chintz on sale. Unlike homespun fabrics, the width of which was about 40 cm, factory-produced fabrics had a width of 75-80 cm, and when cutting clothes from them, a large number of scraps were formed. Applique appeared later: since English calicoes were expensive in Russia, it was considered inappropriate to cover one fabric with another. Patchwork reached its peak at the end of the century, when the production of cheap cotton printed fabrics was established and sewing machines appeared. Basically, things (mostly patchwork quilts) created among peasants had an exclusively practical function - they protected them from the cold. They were mainly made from scraps of worn clothing; they were irregular in shape and joined together randomly. However, in parallel, there was a tradition of sewing blankets for weddings and the birth of a child. These products combined utilitarian and decorative functions. The shape of the flap (stripe, square, triangle) was determined by the shape of the lunge formed when cutting a straight Russian suit.
At the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries, patchwork in folk costume replaced complex lace, embroidery, and woven elements. Traditional Russian patchwork is characterized by manual assembly without the use of a base, overlapping patches, and the use of parts of different sizes.
After the revolution, this type of sewing was not included in the list of state-supported types of decorative and applied arts. Later, patchwork became a sign of poverty, a reminder of the periods of war and devastation experienced by the country. Interest in this type of decorative and applied art was revived in the 90s of the 20th century, and its study began at the same time. It has become not only a widespread hobby, but also an independent genre of decorative art. In Russia, every two years (since 1997) the festival “Patchwork Mosaic of Russia” is held, where the works of masters are demonstrated.
Cutting rules
Before the cutting step, keep the following things in mind:
1. Before cutting, new fabric must be washed and then steamed with an iron. This is done in order to prevent possible shrinkage and discoloration of the fabric after washing the finished product.
2. The flaps that have already been used before need to be starched and ironed.
4. It is always customary to cut in the direction of the grain thread, then during stitching the patchwork parts will not warp.
5. When using new fabric, use its edge as a guide.
6. In order to cut out the desired element, attach a template with indents to the back side of the fabric, outline it with chalk, then attach the template on top without allowances and trace it again along the contour.
7. After you have cut out all the necessary parts, you can sew them according to the chosen patchwork pattern.
Types of patchwork
1. Traditional
Refers to the Anglo-American type of needlework. Its main goal is to create a whole canvas from scraps. This creates geometric patterns. For this patchwork you need diagrams, templates and large-scale patterns, for example, blankets. It's the big pieces that look best. Often a lining is used here on the wrong side.
2. Crazy scraps
The material used is fabric scraps of different sizes and geometric shapes. Curved stripes, appliqués, irregular shapes. The seams are masked using braid or embroidery. An indispensable attribute is the generous decoration of the product.
3. Knitted
In the knitted style, the pieces are sewn together using a crochet hook. It is this patchwork technique that is embodied in bedspreads.
4. Japanese style
He combined Eastern and Western motifs. This style uses stitches and silk as the fabric. In addition to practical bedspreads or clothing, this type of sewing is often used in decorative panels. The composition is based on geometric shapes - rhombus, triangle, corner, square.
5.Watercolor
A popular technique, it can also use squares that are sewn into blocks and formed into a canvas. The main feature is the correct selection of the color palette of the patches.
6. Stripe to stripe
In this style, strips of fabric of different colors and even textures are used. You can combine the stripes however you like. From such strips you can create a unique palette and even patterns. For example, classic parquet, herringbone, wells.
7. Log hut
The style involves the formation of a pattern of stripes around a central element - a square. They are arranged in a spiral. There are variations of this technique - moving the square to the corner.
8. Magic triangle
This is the most common pattern in patchwork; in particular, such patterns, patterns and templates are used to create pillows, potholders, and bedspreads. In addition to the magical power of this figure, which many people believe in, the triangle is also easy to use. With it you can create a variety of shapes, including complex stars and simple squares. Using this technique, interesting combinations can be achieved.
9. Corners
The main difference between the style is that the corners are not made from cut-out blanks, but are formed from pieces of fabric of different shapes. The resulting strips are sewn into fabrics. The result is a voluminous canvas.
10. Chess
The main element is small squares or diamonds. They are arranged in a checkerboard pattern of contrasting colors.
11. Russian square
The central part of the canvas is assembled from squares, and the perimeter is sheathed with isosceles triangles. There is also alternate sewing - squares, triangles - stripes.
12. Honeycomb or grandma's garden
The basis of the canvas is formed by hexagonal blanks.
Why do you need patterns in patchwork?
If you start using the patchwork technique and need to create colored or textured blocks, then for this you will need to prepare a special template that will help you cut out small details faster. It is from small elements with certain sizes and configurations that blocks are formed.
The template is prepared for the part taking into account seam allowances. If you have not purchased a special ruler for patchwork, then you will have to use a template, and the seam allowance is usually set to one size from 5 to 7 mm. The template for working with patterns is conveniently made of cardboard or plastic.
A blanket made of “quick” squares in a “patchwork” style is a warm and soft home decoration. Read here how to make it yourself. Schemes, patterns and step-by-step instructions for beginner needlewomen.
Content:
Grandma's colorful blanket, patchwork rugs and bedding, bright pillows and potholders with multi-colored appliqué have been familiar to us since childhood. Such cute little things always filled the house with warmth and comfort. Unfortunately, only grandmothers remember the technique used to make those cozy and cute blankets. And every girl and woman should get acquainted and make friends with patchwork in order to be able to fill her hearth with something dear and close.
Fabric for making a patchwork blanket
Patchwork is patchwork sewing from fabric of various household and decorative items - beds, blankets, bags, clothes, tablecloths, kitchen utensils, etc. The technique, known for thousands of years, is popular all over the world. Skilled craftswomen create all sorts of outlandish works of art using the patchwork method. And novice needlewomen are advised to start with wide blankets made from “quick squares”. Such products are practical and aesthetic, and are also optimally suited for mastering such a delicate science.
Today, patchwork is considered one of the most popular patchwork techniques. It consists of stitching together various pieces of fabric according to the mosaic principle. In the hands of experienced needlewomen, bright pieces of material are transformed into luxurious products that surprise and delight. But not all fabrics are equally good for patchwork patchwork.
To choose the right material for creating a patchwork quilt, you can follow the traditions of our grandmothers: simply save all the scraps and leftovers from sewing clothes or bed linen. From such different-sized shreds you will certainly get a motley blanket. Or you can do it much simpler - purchase a set of fabrics for patchwork in any specialized store. Since the most difficult process in the patchwork technique is working with the material, the fabric must certainly not only be beautiful in appearance, but also of sufficient quality.
Cotton fabrics are considered the ideal material for patchwork because they meet all the important requirements:
- Do not wrinkle;
- Don't rush;
- Do not shrink;
- They don't shed;
- Easy to cut.
Sewing material stores offer customers a huge selection of cotton fabrics of different colors and densities. But, unfortunately, they are not always suitable for patchwork. Some options fray too much when cut, others are hard to iron or sag after washing. It is, however, recommended to buy special fabrics for patchwork that have undergone special pre-treatment. This material is very easy for beginners to work with.
Popular types and patterns of patchwork
The patchwork style is a wide field for ideas and experiments, which has no boundaries in combinations of shapes, colors, and types of material. Here, any creative idea of the author can be brought to life. Fancy patterns, applications with animals and flowers, geometric mosaics and other equally interesting options can easily be folded into a warm bedspread or comfortable blanket.
Of course, you can create a diagram for a product with your own hands, armed with imagination and a sharp pencil. Or you can use ready-made ones, of which there are hundreds of thousands, depending on the types of patchwork.
Let's look at the most popular types of patchwork:
- Classic English. In this version of patchwork, all parts of the same shape and size are used, usually in two primary colors. Patterns for English patchwork are very primitive. For example, squares of two shades arranged in a checkerboard pattern, or symmetrically stitched triangles.
- Eastern patchwork. The manufacturing principle is similar to the classic one, but differs in the use of various decorative elements - ribbons, beads, zippers, etc. Most patterns for oriental patchwork products allow greater freedom in the shapes and sizes of parts. For example, these can be arched and wavy patches, connected and decorated with satin ribbons.
- Crazy patchwork. The most “free” look. Characterized by its aesthetics and attractiveness. As a rule, the shape, color and size of parts are not limited by anything other than the pattern used. And the designs can be incredibly diverse: images of nature or flowers, floral or geometric patterns, complete abstraction.
Making a patchwork blanket step by step
Of course, the abundance of various complex patterns and variations of products using the patchwork technique surprises even those craftswomen who have devoted decades to this type of art. And for beginners, there are more primitive, but no less beautiful and functional options. For example, a blanket of “quick” squares. It’s better to start from there.
Preparatory stage
First of all, you should decide on the color scheme and size of the future product. Although for the first time any available pieces of various shades will be suitable. Prepare in advance a piece of fabric for the wrong side of the blanket, corresponding to its future dimensions, and the same piece of padding polyester. Don't forget about the fabric for the edging. It is better to buy it with a reserve. In our case, to make a blanket from squares you will need chintz of three colors, scissors, a ruler, pins, chalk, a template and a sewing machine.
It is recommended to pre-soak chintz fabric in hot water, then rinse with cold water, starch and iron. A tablespoon of starch is diluted in a glass of cold water. Then the mixture is poured into 2 liters of hot water and stirred thoroughly. The chintz is rinsed in a slightly cooled solution, ironed while still wet and dried.
After preparing the material and collecting all the necessary tools, you can begin preparing those very “quick” squares that will make up the blanket.
Preparing “quick” squares for a blanket
The production of the elements we need begins with the preparation of the strips. From two pieces of fabric of different colors, cut two strips of the same width. Then, placing them face to face, stitch along one edge. At the next stage, cut a wide strip from the third piece of chintz, corresponding to the size of the previous two together. Sew the resulting third strip to the first two on both sides, first folding them face to face, just like the first time. As a result, you will end up with something like a sleeve turned inside out.
At the next stage, cut the resulting sleeve with an even zigzag into isosceles triangles. To do this, use a square, triangle or triangular ruler template. As a result, from one long “sleeve” you will get several double triangles, and, accordingly, squares in the spread.
Assembling squares using patchwork technology
To create a product in the patchwork style, a wide variety of patterns and styles are used. The squares you have can be folded into zigzags, scales, triangles or diamonds. The choice of style depends only on the taste of the craftswoman. It is not recommended to rush in such a matter. It is better to fold the parts in several different ways, among which it will be easier to determine the most successful one.
The assembly of “quick” squares is carried out as follows: first, the parts are sewn together into longitudinal strips, only then the strips are sewn together. The main thing is not to forget to iron the finished seams. Essentially, the front side of the quilt is complete at this stage.
Making a blanket from “quick” squares
You can use any fabric, preferably natural, as the back side of the blanket. Batiste or chintz will do the job best. To quickly assemble a blanket, place the prepared fabric for the wrong side face down, then spread a layer of padding polyester and place a piece of squares on top, face up. Using a sewing machine, stitch around the perimeter of the future product. The border can be the edges of the picture or the edges of the squares.
Before the process is complete, all that remains is to make the edging of the luxurious blanket. To do this, you need to cut a strip of suitable fabric 8 cm wide and slightly longer than the side of the product. Apply the resulting strip to the front edge of the blanket, aligning the edges. Use a sewing machine to stitch the strip to the blanket, then fold it over to the wrong side, turn it under, and stitch again to the right side. Finish the remaining edges of the blanket in this way.
At this point, making a blanket from “quick” squares is considered complete. For the first time, such a product is considered optimal in terms of complexity. But even if the result is not entirely ideal, you should not be upset. The second try will certainly turn out better!
Nowadays, patchwork creations have become more popular than ever. In between the noisy bustle and tiring workdays, you really want to touch something warm and cozy. Even those women who have never thought about needlework before begin to confidently master patchwork. Decorative sofa pillows, aprons, coasters, colorful panels, curtains for a country house, ultra-modern bags and many other things can be created by experienced craftswomen.
Beginning needlewomen should pay attention to a few useful tips:
- Before using new fabric, it must be washed, ironed and only then cut. This will prevent accidental shrinkage, loss of color, or other problems.
- The color of the thread used should match the color of the shred or differ by a couple of tones.
- For drawing, use a pencil or soap. It is prohibited to use a pen.
- Cutting is done along the shared thread. In this case, the part will not warp.
- When cutting, leave a 1 cm indent on all sides. If the fabric is loose - 1.5 cm.
- Ideal templates are made of plastic.
- Without a ruler, patchwork is impossible.
- The resulting fragment must be ironed after each line.
Patterns for making a blanket using the patchwork technique
Depending on the chosen patchwork technique, the needlewoman may need one or another pattern pattern:
- Square technique. It involves creating a product from square patches or square blocks of different colors. In this case, a pattern in the form of a regular square or a pattern of strips from which a square block will be made will be useful.
- Strip technique. This is parallel or circular stitching of strips of different colors and lengths. To create a product using this technique, you will need to cut out different strips.
- Triangle technique. In many ways similar to squares. Most often, patterns of isosceles triangles, identical in size, but different in color, are used for it. Parts can be sewn along a short edge to form a strip, 4 pieces to form a square or in the shape of a star.
- Honeycomb technique. It got its name thanks to the end result. Upon completion of the work, the design of the product will resemble the pattern of a honeycomb. For production, patterns of symmetrical hexagons are used.
- Lapachikha technique. It is considered the most interesting and at the same time difficult. Pieces of fabric with raw edges are attached to the canvas, thereby forming a three-dimensional drawing of a certain pattern or a chaotic image of a three-dimensional abstraction. If a specific pattern is chosen for the product (bird, animal, flower, etc.), patterns for each part will be needed. If you plan to randomly sew on different patches, you can do without patterns altogether.
Products made using the patchwork technique are not only beautiful and cozy home decorations, but also positive emotions from the process of making them. Agree, a few pieces of fabric, a sewing machine and imagination in combination can work wonders.
Strips of the same width are cut according to a template, always along the grain thread and never on the bias (do not confuse it with cutting fabric into strips for edging - they are cut on the bias). Sometimes, when there is not enough fabric, they cut along the transverse thread. The template is placed on the wrong side of the fabric parallel to the edge. When marking the fabric into strips, do not forget about seam allowances. If there is not enough fabric, the strips are sewn together. To do this, one strip is applied at right angles to the other (front to front) and stitched along the bias at an angle of 45 degrees.
Sewing strips
It is convenient to stitch strips for an art product on the base.
Sewing strips onto the base. Place the strip face up on the base. The second strip is placed face down on the first and attached to the base. The seam is ironed “on the edge”.
Sewing stripes
Start sewing the strips cut and arranged according to color on the right side of the base. Place the second one on top of the first strip, right side to side, and pin them to the base. Sew together with the base. Remove the pins and iron the seam on one side - “on the edge”, and then turn over and iron both strips from the front side. Place the third strip on top of the second and also stitch along with the base.
Fill out the required format in the same way. Then iron the fabric through a damp cloth and cut off any excess fabric.
Sew strips for utilitarian purposes (pockets, borders) without a base, first into a single piece and only then cut crosswise into the desired format. You can make a square block from strips cut from sewn fabric.
The fabric, stitched from strips, is cut into squares. Squares from strips are formed into blocks
Diagonally located stripes are very beautiful and can decorate any product. They are sewn on the base, starting from the center of the product. Place the first strip on the base diagonally and strictly in the center. Attach other strips to it on both sides (in the same way as straight stripes on the base), maintaining the color order, until the format is filled. From the four stitched formats, you can create a square block with diagonal stripes.
The first strip is pinned to the base strictly in the center.
The second strip is placed on the first, front to front, and attached to the first and base.
The seam is smoothed out, the corners are cut
By attaching strips in both directions, they fill the entire volume
Gradually, over the course of two centuries, three main sewing patterns from stripes were developed: “Herringbone”, or “Parquet”, “Arable land” and “Well”.
“Herringbone” (“Parquet”)
This patchwork technique requires patchwork blanks made from squares and strips. A strip of the first tier is sewn to the square. Its length is not measured, since after stitching the excess fabric is cut off. You should immediately iron the seam and spread it on both sides. The second strip is sewn to the other side of the square and the first strip is also captured. The second seam will run perpendicular to the first seam. The seam is ironed again and laid out on both sides. This is how the first tier of the “Christmas tree” turns out.
To make the pattern beautiful, you must adhere to the following rules.
The square should be active in color or pattern, that is, bear the emphasis of the entire composition.
The width of the stripes of each tier should be the same.
Each subsequent tier can be either the same in width as the first tier or different from it, depending on the author’s task.
It is desirable that the seam width of all strips be the same (the preferred width is 0.5-0.7 cm).
The sequence of stitching the strips to each other must not be disrupted.
This composition is a kind of imitation of furrows on a plowed field. For “Arable land”, in order to preserve and emphasize the dynamics of the stripes, you should choose fabrics that are similar in color and with a fine printed pattern. It is interesting to sew such an ornament from satin ribbons, alternating the front and back sides.
First, prepare a paper template for the base square. The square is divided into three sections, the boundaries of which meet at right angles. Each section is divided into a number of parallel strips. Cardboard templates are made for each section and strips. The strips are sewn face to face in the sequence shown in the figure, the seam is ironed. The allowance is 0.5–0.7 cm. Excess fabric is cut off.
Scheme of cutting and stitching strips in “Arable land”
Each section is collected separately and then only sewn into a common square. First, sections 1 and 2 (clockwise), and then section 3 is sewn to them.
“Well” (“American Square”, “Log House”, “Straight Gutter”)
This patchwork technique was very popular in America and Europe, and it is at least two hundred years old. It is based on the geometric shape of a square, which is made up of stripes. The strips of fabric are called "logs".
There are two options for connecting “logs” into a square. In both options, the central figure will be a flap in the form of a square, but the pattern of assembling the strips - “logs” - is different.
The first version of the “Well” assembly
First, a strip is sewn to the central square
"Well" stitching pattern
The initial element of the composition, on which the color accent is placed, is a square. The first two stripes are sewn to the square in the same way as in the “Herringbone” composition, following the same sewing rules. Each new strip (“log”) is ground in such a way as to capture the previous element. You need to move clockwise, gradually increasing the initial square with tiers of “logs”.
Naturally, the color scheme of the work may be different, but it looks especially beautiful in this scheme color stretch: from a dark square to light stripes, which gives the effect of a well, or from a light square to dark “logs” – the effect of cosmic depth is created. In both versions, the tiers of “logs” are sewn on, observing the possible color stretch, which makes it possible to achieve a three-dimensional perception of the composition.
The tiers of “logs” can be the same size, or the composition can end with a tier of wider strips. In principle, such a composition can be expanded indefinitely and made, for example, the entire wall. The main thing is that at the end it has a logical color conclusion - a dark, light or colored tier (based on the square you came up with), collecting the entire composition.
Sometimes this option is performed with diagonal color division. The central element remains the square, and the rest of the composition is built diagonally - the whole scheme is conventionally divided by the diagonal into two parts. Thus, the “logs” located on one side of the diagonal are made of fabric of a rich tone (preferably also stretched), and the “logs” on the other side of the diagonal are made of lighter fabric.
To make your work easier and not get confused in colors and “logs”, it is advisable to make a clear color sketch. Otherwise, the principle of stitching “logs” remains the same as with the main scheme.
The second option for assembling the “Well” circuit
In this option, the square also dominates in the center, but the sequence of assembling the “logs” relative to the main element is different. An identical strip (“log”) is attached to two opposite sides of the square. Then “logs” are attached to the other two opposite sides of the square, which overlap the first “logs” in length. This completes the first tier of the composition. Subsequently, observing the initial stitching sequence, the composition is increased from tier to tier to the desired size (any).
Shifting the center and using stripes of different widths gives an optical effect of depth
Identical strips are attached to opposite sides of the central square parallel to each other
This composition gravitates towards other color solutions - based on the paired breakdown of colors on parallel “logs”. Sometimes they also make a diagonal breakdown of the color scheme, but in this case the entire square is divided into four parts by two diagonals and the colored “logs” are placed in pairs, relative to the sides of the central square. The options are endless.
The square may not be located at all in the center, but to the side. But the assembly principle remains the same.
Squares
This is one of the most common ancient simple techniques, which is based on the square. You can sew squares of any size - from giant squares to postage stamp scraps - and in any order. But products made from squares combined into various geometric shapes have a certain charm. It can be a simple chessboard pattern (two-color), or a “knight’s move” (three-color), or a multi-color field of different patches, but subject to geometric order, a chess diagonal, etc. There are many options, depending on your skill and imagination.
Sewing from squares
Stitching squares
Before you start sewing, make a small sketch of the future fabric on graph paper.
Let's assume that your square product consists of four colored squares combined into a specific pattern. You need to sew the squares in order and immediately into stripes.
Start, for example, from the top row. Sew the first two pieces together with the right sides facing in, then iron the seam allowances either on both sides or on the side of the darker square so that the allowances do not show through. Then, following your sketch, stitch the remaining squares of the top row and finish the seams.
Make other strips in the same way.
Then fold the strips with the right sides inward, pin them together exactly along the machine seams, perpendicular to the future stitching, and stitch.
Having connected all the strips into a single fabric, press the seam allowances. Then turn the product over and iron the finished sample on a soft mat (so that the relief of the seam allowances does not show through).
Composition of four squares
Chess patterns
Let's look at the simplest ways to stitch a chessboard fabric.
"Chess"It is made from two fabrics of contrasting colors. You can sew squares into stripes. But it’s even easier to first stitch identical colored stripes into a single fabric, and then, noting the size of the given squares (don’t forget about seam allowances on both sides of the square!), cut into new stripes. Turn every second strip upside down, and a checkerboard pattern will immediately form on your canvas. Now all that remains is to stitch the strips together.
Stripes are sewn into fabric
The canvas is drawn into strips going in a different direction and cut
Every second strip is turned upside down
It turns out to be a chessboard
Checkerboard pattern diagonallyTake several strips of different colors and stitch them into a single fabric. Then, having marked the canvas into the given squares (don't forget to leave seam allowances!), cut the canvas into strips. Now arrange the resulting strips so that each strip is shifted one square relative to the previous one, and carefully sew them together.
Now cut off the corners at the top and bottom, and you will get an even strip of diagonal squares. You can use the resulting fabric as a decorative border or simply sew the resulting curly strip using the appliqué technique, for example, on the hem of a skirt.
The fabric sewn from multi-colored strips is cut into transverse stripes
The stripes are laid out so that they are shifted by one square
By cutting off the corners of the resulting strip, you get an ornament of diagonal squares
Checkerboard pattern in the form of rhombusesTo make such a pattern, you need to cut and sew strips of multi-colored fabric, and then cut new strips from the resulting solid fabric at an angle of 30, 45 or 60 degrees. The width of the stripes should be equal to the side of the rhombus plus 1.5 cm - seam allowance. When assembled, these obliquely cut parts themselves form diamond shapes.
From rhombuses stitched in this form, you can assemble the famous “American Star”.
Sewing pattern for a diamond pattern
Chess pattern in the form of chevronsThis pattern resembles a reflection in water. Sew two-color stripes together into two fabrics, alternating them by color. Then from each canvas at the angle you need, cut identical oblique strips, mirrored to each other. When you sew the resulting strips, alternating them, you will get a chevron. All that remains is to trim the unnecessary corners by 0.75 cm from the top and bottom.
Making chevrons
"Square within a Square"
The basis of this composition is a square. The assembly of the intended product begins from the center. Each tier, consisting of four isosceles triangles, visually enlarges the original square.
For each tier, a template of a right triangle is cut out, the hypotenuse of which is equal to the side of the central square. Every four identical triangles are attached to the four sides of the square. It looks like a square within a square.
As a rule, this pattern is sewn on a base using fabric or non-woven fabric. The size of the base is equal to the intended composition. Four intersecting lines are marked on the base: two diagonally and two perpendicular to them. Then attach the center square face up in the center. A triangle is pinned to one side of the square, face down, and stitched together with the base, leaving seam allowances. Having stitched all four triangles in this way, check whether the corners of the resulting square coincide with the lines on the base.
In this way, all tiers of squares are set up. This technique is also called “Diamond” and is often considered a triangle sewing pattern. Alternating colors in tiers makes the product graphic and impressive. The number of squares is limited only by the author's imagination.
Scheme for sewing flaps
"Russian Square"
The national Russian technique “Russian Square” is somewhat more complicated. The design is based on a square, and the first and second tiers, made up of four isosceles triangles, also form squares. It looks like three squares - one inside the other: a central one and two tiers. The third and subsequent tiers already include four corner squares and four stripes. The sewing pattern for a two-color “Russian square” is as follows.
Triangle sewing pattern
Four isosceles triangles of a contrasting color are sewn to the central square. Then an isosceles triangle in the color of the central square is sewn to each side of the resulting square. The third and subsequent tiers are performed as follows: first, stripes are sewn to the sides of the square, the length of which is greater than the side of the square, then triangles are sewn to the corners of the tier.
It is desirable that all tiers be the same size or evenly increase from the center to the edges.
Works using this technique can also be multi-colored.
"A pineapple"
Using a complex technique somewhat similar to the “Russian Square,” “Pineapple” is sewn from single-color scraps of contrasting colors. At the heart of the composition is a colored square (it can be of an additional color); the first tier of “logs” is sewn to its four sides in a circle. Each strip should have a seam allowance of 0.5 cm on each side (lengthwise).
Apply the first strip to the side of the square (front to front), stitch, press the seam edgewise, turn over, press and cut off the excess. Sew all other strips of this tier similarly to the first so that each overlaps the side of the square and 0.5 cm of the side cut of the previous strip.
Sew the second row of strips (contrasting color) parallel to the sides of the base. In order not to disturb the contours of the central square, the seams of this tier should run strictly along the corners of the square. The ends of the strips extend beyond the cuts of the strips of the first row by the allowance distance.
Sewing pattern
Sew all the other tiers of stripes in the same way (don’t forget to make them different colors). When you have the desired volume, sew triangles into the formed corners on the sides (you can match the color of the central square).
"Krazy" ("Crazy Shreds")
The 19th century English technique “Crazy” (also known as “Crazy Patches”, “Spiral”, “Carousel”, “Rose”) - a composition of asymmetrical patches - was created for decorative purposes. It made bedspreads and tablecloths, often from mutually exclusive materials, combining, for example, velvet with silk or tulle. This ingenious and original technique allows you to use even the smallest scraps of fabric left over from other projects to create original and beautiful products (see photo 17 on the inset). “Crazy” is sewn on the base, the sewing pattern is as follows.
A flap, in this case a triangle, is attached to the base with a pin. A strip contrasting in yvet is attached to one of its sides.
Sewn patches are smoothed out
Another strip of a contrasting color is sewn to one side of the resulting figure.
The sewn patches are smoothed out again
In the center of the composition there is not a square, but a triangular, trapezoidal, but best of all, a five-sided flap. The center of the composition itself may not be at all in the center of a given format, but, for example, in a corner; it can be shifted to any edge, but this does not affect the order in which the work is performed. Other patches of arbitrary shape and color are sewn to the central flap in a clockwise direction. The farther from the center, the larger the shreds. When the composition fills the entire block (square, circle), the edges are trimmed and trimmed.
The basic rules are as follows.
The central flap should be bright, standing out from the overall mass of the flap.
Pieces of the same color should not be adjacent (otherwise they will be perceived as one color spot); they should be placed in opposite directions from the center of the composition.
Parallel lines between tiers should be avoided.
This sewing pattern is beautiful in itself, and it can be used to make, for example, a pure white composition (including the center). For it, it is better to select clearly defined flaps and observe their harmonious arrangement on the format from the center to the edges. The effect will be created through line graphics.
Magic triangles
The triangle is a magical element that is reflected in the esotericism of many religions. The triangle was assigned a protective role - it was sewn onto clothes as a kind of totem. Therefore, it was used more often than other elements in both embroidery and patchwork technique.
Triangles are fun and easy to work with. You can use them to create any pattern - a square, a rhombus, a complex star, and others.
The most commonly used is a right-angled isosceles triangle, which is cut according to a pattern so that the direction of the grain thread on the fabric coincides with one of the short sides. By folding the triangles along the long side, you get a square. The squares are combined into a single canvas.
Right triangles can not only be ground together at the bases, but also stitched along the short side, resulting in a stripe. The strips are then stitched into a single fabric. This method is called diagonal assembly. It requires great care in adjusting the pattern and stitching the seams of prefabricated parts.
Often you have to sew a large number of small triangles, and then for speed they are sewn with a “flag”: they are folded in pairs with their right sides inward, pinned together and stitched together on a machine - one pair after another, without cutting the threads. When all pairs of triangles are ready, the threads are cut.
Flag sewing
There is another method that speeds up working with triangles, but only with two-color ones.
First, cut out the same number of squares of both colors from the fabric (be sure to leave seam allowances).
Then the squares are cut diagonally.
By smoothing the allowances on one side (of the darker triangle), you get two finished two-color squares.
When sewing squares into a common fabric, you need to trim off the protruding corners of the allowances.
Then the multi-colored squares are folded in pairs with the right sides inward, a diagonal line is drawn and stitched twice - on each side of the diagonal, leaving seam allowances.
To decorate square or rectangular parts with small triangular inserts, use the following method to make the work easier.
The desired corner is cut out in the form of a triangle, placed (front to front) on the square, as shown in the figure, and attached. Then cut off the extra corners.
The triangle is folded back and ironed.
In the same way, sew the corners to the remaining corners of the rectangle.
If triangles have to be sewn from fabric that is stretched under the needle of the machine, then paper is placed under the stitching.
The most popular triangle patterns are “Mill”, “Star”, “Diamond”. (We have already discussed the “Diamond” technique in the “Square in a Square” section.)
"Mill"
This pattern is made from fabric of two contrasting colors and is made up of eight identical triangles - four of each color.
To begin with, triangles (for example, white and black) are sewn along the long side into a square. The squares are then sewn together, alternating colors, to create a stripe.
Finally, assemble the two resulting strips together, starting to stitch from the center (this makes it easier to connect all the dots together). Seam allowances are ironed, laid out on both sides.
Two triangles of contrasting colors are sewn into a square
Squares are sewn into two stripes
"Star"
This is a beautiful patchwork technique that has an eight-pointed star based on a central square. Let's consider two options for assembling the “Star”.
The sides of the square are parallel to the edges of the base
For this composition, at least four types of fabric of contrasting colors and patterns are used. It is believed that the “Star” looks best if the fabric for its rays is monochromatic, and the backgrounds are with patterns.
In order not to get confused about what to sew with what, it is better to first make a sketch of the composition. The “Star” composition itself is a square consisting of three parallel stripes divided into nine squares. (First, the entire composition is divided into squares, and these into triangles.) In the first and third stripes, the outer squares will consist of two triangles, and the middle ones - of four. The central stripe consists of a solid central square and two adjacent squares consisting of four triangles
Having assembled the three stripes in this way, they are sewn together, strictly following the pattern.
You can sew triangles into squares, and then connect them to each other. But in this case it is more difficult to maintain strict geometric lines.
Assembly diagram "Stars", first option
The sides of the square are parallel to the corners of the base
Assembly diagram "Stars", second option
In this version, the assembly scheme is different. Four contrasting triangles are sewn to the central square along the long side. A new square is obtained, located parallel to the edges of the base. Stripes made up of four triangles (two squares) are sewn to it, to its upper and lower parts. Then, exactly following the sketch, two side (vertical) stripes are made from four squares made up of eight triangles.
All that remains is to sew the side stripes to the central part - and the “Star” is ready.
This is a difficult polygon sewing
If stripes, squares and triangles can still be handled somehow without special preparation using a sewing machine, then polygons will require a lot of patience and skill from you. Therefore, many craftswomen prefer to assemble polygons by hand.
A rhombus is also a polygon, the simplest of them all. A patchwork diamond can be assembled from two symmetrical triangles. Here it is important to ensure that the pattern, combined into one whole - into a rhombus, does not go astray. The pattern must be absolutely symmetrical. But you can immediately cut out a rhombus using the template and create a composition from it.
"Cubes"
You can try to sew a “Cubes” composition, where a rhombus with an angle of 60 degrees will be an independent figure. The peculiarity of this composition is that, in addition to the correct assembly of the elements, it is very important to clearly select the color - light, shadow and penumbra on a cube formed by three diamonds.
In order for the “Cubes” to turn out voluminous (and any mistake will distort the illusion of volume), you first need to draw out the entire composition on graph paper and only then make a template.
Diamonds are simple shapes, and they can be sewn on a machine without removing the needle from the fabric at the corners of the diamond, but by lifting the foot, turning the fabric and stitching further. Or you can sew it by hand, stretching the fabric onto cardboard templates and sewing the fragments together. It's just the way you like it.
Scheme for stitching diamond parts for the “Cubes” pattern
"Flower"
A hexagonal flower is also made from diamonds. It consists of six diamonds or twelve triangles. The rhombus in this composition should have an acute angle of 60 degrees. If the flower consists of eight diamond-shaped petals, then the acute angle is 45 degrees.
You can make a composition from such diamond-shaped flowers (analogous to “Grandma’s Garden”), but here the center of the flower should be highlighted, for example, with a button covered with contrasting fabric.
"Granny's Garden" ("Honeycomb")
Let's look at the principle of assembling polygons using the example of the "Grandma's Garden" diagram, where the composition consists of many hexagons combined into hexagonal flowers. This is a beautiful antique technique that can be used to decorate napkins, tablecloths, and pillows. Another name for this technique is “Honeycomb”, as the hexagons resemble a honeycomb.
The assembly diagram is as follows: a cardboard template is made for each hexagon (according to the number of parts). The cardboard should not be too thick and hard, but it should not be too flimsy either - otherwise the template may twist when stretching the fabric.
Sewing pattern using the “Grandma’s Garden” technique
The template is placed on the wrong side of the fabric and a polygon is cut out along it, leaving seam allowances. Then these allowances are folded onto the cardboard, and the parallel sides are pulled together with threads. The templates covered in this way are folded with the right sides inward and begin to be sewn together with a dense hand stitch with a hidden seam (the reverse side of the product is shown in the figure). Then the cardboard is removed, the seams are ironed and the entire product is placed on a lining (possibly on adhesive interlining).
Creating New Patterns
Once you understand the techniques of patchwork and learn how to cut out and sew all these diamonds, triangles and squares, you can come up with a couple of your own patterns.
The principle of creating a new drawing is very simple: the conceived drawing is drawn on graph paper and laid out into squares and triangles, less often into rhombuses, trapezoids and rectangles. There is something similar in cross stitch. Based on the resulting scheme, the main templates are made.
No matter what complex pattern you come up with, the principle of connecting the parts remains the same: first, all the small pieces are sewn together, then the rest are added to them - and you get a kind of block, and then the background fabric and border are attached.
Having cut out the scraps you need according to the template, arrange them according to the pattern of your design to check how they match in color.
I will give a few of the simplest diagrams that will help you understand the principle of creating drawings from geometric shapes. For all patterns you will need only two templates - a triangle and a square.
“Flower”, first option (see Fig. 2 inset) The pattern block is 25 squares, of which 9 squares are one-color and 16 are two-color, made up of 24 triangles. Two-color squares can be quickly stitched, and the block can be assembled in stripes.
“Flower”, second option (see Fig. 3 inset) The pattern block is 16 squares, of which 10 are single-color and 6 are two-color. Two-color squares (6 pieces) are ground using the high-speed method. The block is assembled in strips.
“Tulip” (see Fig. 4 inset) The pattern is made up of 10 squares: 2 one-color and 8 two-color.
“Heart” (see Fig. 5 inset) The pattern contains 36 squares: 20 one-color and 16 two-color.
“Boat” (see Fig. 6 on the inset) The composition consists of 16 squares: 6 two-color and 10 one-color.
“Star” (see Fig. 7 on the inset) The pattern consists of 9 squares: 5 one-color and 4 two-color.
“Maple Leaves” (see Fig. 8 inset) The pattern consists of four blocks. Let's consider one block (one sheet), it includes 16 squares: 12 one-color and 4 two-color. First, each block is stitched together - one sheet, and then they are combined into a composition of four leaves. You can also stitch in stripes if a careful pattern is made.
As you can see, it's all very simple. You can improve the above diagrams to your taste and create new drawings. The main thing is inspiration.
Stained glass technique (“Windows of the Dome Cathedral”)
Working with this technique requires both great skill and great patience. But she's worth it. Products made using the stained glass technique resemble a flower bed of voluminous, convex flowers planted in a checkerboard pattern. The composition uses plain fabrics and fabrics with a pattern. If your flowers are made of plain fabric, then the background for them must be variegated (and vice versa).
We will consider the manufacturing technique on a product measuring 40 x 40 cm.
Let's assume that you have red flowers against a green speckled background. For each flower you will need a square piece of fabric, the size of which should be twice the size of the flower itself. Therefore, for a flower measuring 9 x 9 cm, a piece of fabric measuring 20 x 20 cm is required, taking into account 1 cm on each side for seam allowances. Cut out 16 red squares of this size.
From the fabric for the background, cut out 32 squares measuring 5 x 5 cm; Bend 8 squares in half and cut diagonally so that you get 16 triangles, with which you will cover the background along the edges of the product. You also need to cut out the base for the bottom side of the product measuring 41 x 41 cm, taking into account the allowance, select the fabric for the border, 25 buttons for the center of the flowers (to match the color of the flowers - red or yellow).
First we make flowers.
1. Place the square cut out for the flower (20 x 20 cm) face down on the table and turn it inside out 1 cm from each edge. Iron the edges, and if the fabric is elastic, then baste. Then align the corners of the square in the center and pin them.
The pins should be placed strictly in the middle of the resulting triangle, with the point towards the center.
2. Fold the corners of the resulting square towards the center in the same way as the first time, trying to carefully align the vertices of the corners in the center, and again secure them with pins.
3. Then, using small stitches, fasten the corners of the triangles together in the center of the square, piercing the needle through all layers of fabric.
Sew the remaining 15 flower squares in the same way.
4. Fold the squares in pairs (front to front), connect them with a seam “over the edge” (stitches should be small and frequent). Sew four strips from the pairs, and then, also by hand, connect them into a square fabric.
5. Pin the background squares into the center of the squares. Attach the background triangles to the edges with pins.
6. Now, alternately folding the edges of the envelopes onto the background squares, sew them carefully with a hidden seam so that you get oval petals.
7. Make the entire center in this way (don’t touch the edges with the triangles yet) and sew on the border (frame). Place the hem so that one edge overlaps the seam allowance and the other edge tucks under the other seam allowance. Place the stitch on both sides.
After you sew the border, you can make petals along the edge, bending them into triangles.
8. It is advisable to sew buttons in the center of the flowers, matched to the color of the flower’s fabric or covered with the desired fabric. You can attach a ruffle along the edge to the border and then sew the top fabric with flowers to the bottom fabric (front to front).
Then you turn it inside out and the product is ready.
The above diagrams can be used to create an independent composition, or to assemble a tablecloth, bedspread or wall panel from manufactured elements (for example, from squares sewn according to the “Well” pattern) (see photo 22-24 on the inset) . It is not forbidden to use these elements in the form of inserts in clothes and bags.
There are many other interesting and unexpected things you can do with your own hands. The given diagrams provide ample opportunities for creativity. Patchwork techniques are evolving all the time, and new techniques are constantly emerging. In principle, every craftswoman comes up with something of her own.
“Corners” technique
This very cute technique will bring any product to life. You can use it to create various voluminous rugs, pillows, panels and toys, decorate clothes with it and edge blankets. The advantage of this technique is that it makes it possible to use numerous scraps of flap left over after working on large-scale products.
The peculiarity of the “Corners” technique is that the shreds are not sewn together into a single plane, but triangles (corners) are made from them and sewn in layers onto the base. You can use any material for the corners, but, as in other cases, it is easier and best to work with cotton fabrics. The fabric should hold its shape, iron well and be plain or with a small pattern.
It is preferable to use fabrics of the same thickness in one product, or at least for each row of corners the thickness of the fabric should be the same.
There are several ways to “fold” the flap into the corners.
1. First, squares of the required size are cut from the flap. Each square is folded diagonally, inside out, and ironed. The resulting triangles are folded in half again and also ironed. As a result, a corner is formed in four folds with a seam on the side.
2. The square of fabric is first folded in half with the wrong side inward, ironed, and then the corners are turned in (the seam is in the center).
These two methods are mainly used for thin fabrics
3. For thick fabrics use the “two-fold corner” technique. Rectangular flaps are cut and on one of the long sides the fabric is folded to the wrong side by 1 cm and ironed. Then the corners are folded to the middle line of the rectangular patch and ironed again (the seam is in the center). This method is also used when there is very little fabric.
4. For loose fabrics The “four-fold corner” technique is suitable. Fabric (chintz) is cut according to a pattern in the shape of a semicircle. Then mark the midline and fold the fabric towards it and iron it. Fold the piece in half again and iron it again (seam on the side). The corner has a sharp tip.
After the required number of corners have been prepared, they are sewn onto the base. The base must be dense and pre-cut according to the shape of the future product (square, circle, toy pattern).
The corners are laid out on the base starting from the bottom row. If the corners are made in two folds, then they are placed with a seam in one direction, and each subsequent corner slightly fits into the previous one. If the corner has a seam in the center, then it is laid with the seam down (wrong side of the product), and the corners only touch each other.
Sewing corners
Having pinned the first row with pins, it is stitched, retreating 1 cm from the edge. Since the resulting layer of fabric is quite thick, you need to stitch with a thicker needle and thread (you can use a zipper foot). It’s a good idea to stitch the edge with a zigzag for strength. Next, the next row of corners is placed on top, placing them in a checkerboard pattern in relation to the first row, while trying to completely cover the stitching of the sewn row. Each row is carefully ironed.
You can also sew according to the template, along the wrong side, and then turn it right side out, but then it is difficult to make a clear corner-tip. Corners may come apart and fall apart. It is easiest to sew the corners along straight lines.
Corner patterns vary in both shape and color. You can, for example, place small orange corners on the center of large red ones, or alternate small corners with large ones every other time or two. There are many options here - as your imagination dictates.
A patchwork quilt or panel looks very cute, the edges of which are decorated with multi-colored corners as festoons.
Rug "Sun"
It is quite popular to sew round products (rugs and napkins) using the cute “Corners” technique. It has a cute name “Sunshine”.
Sewing pattern for the “Sun” rug with jagged edges
Sewing pattern for the “Sun” rug with round edges
On a dense round base, draw several circles with a compass, along which the corners are attached. (It is more convenient to work with corners formed in two folds.) Make the very bottom row first, then the others in succession, moving from the edges to the center. In the middle of the circle (and it remains unfilled) on the hands, a circle of thick fabric or leather is sewn with a hidden seam.
You can lay out the corners from the center to the edges - then, unlike the first option, the edge of the product will be round and not jagged. A colored circle of fabric or leather is sewn in the center and the first row of corners is placed on it with the apex towards the center. The base of the first row is combined with the cut of the central circle and everything is attached with one seam. Ironing.
When the last row of corners is laid, the product is ironed again, the protruding corners are trimmed and edged together with the lining. (The border is cut on the bias.)
A more complex option is when the last row of corners turned inside the product is sewn with corners sticking out like a sun. In this case, the resulting seams are hidden under decorative braid or a strip of dense fabric sewn over the product. And the round lining is hemmed along the seam with a hidden seam to the lower corners.
Interesting and beautiful compositions are also obtained in the shape of a square, when the corners are sewn from the edge to the center. The correct selection of bright, contrasting fabrics is very important here. The sewing principle is the same as when making the “Sun” rug.
We have already looked at squares and stripes on the site, now we move on to patchwork sewing with triangles.
The triangle is a magical element that is reflected in the esotericism of many religions and in the ornaments of various peoples. The triangle was assigned a protective role - it was sewn onto clothes as a kind of totem. Therefore, it was used more often than other elements in embroidery and patchwork.
Triangles are fun and easy to work with. You can use them to create any pattern - a square, a rhombus, a complex star, and others.
The most commonly used is a right-angled isosceles triangle, which is cut according to a pattern so that the direction of the grain thread on the fabric coincides with one of the short sides. By folding the triangles along the long side, you get a square. The squares are combined into a single canvas.
Right triangles can be not only grind with the bases, but also stitch along the short side, the result is a strip. The strips are then stitched into a single fabric. This method is called diagonal assembly. It requires great care in adjusting the pattern and stitching the seams of prefabricated parts. Otherwise, the drawing will go astray. Cutting and stitching must be VERY precise!
Often you have to sew a large number of small triangles, and then for speed they are sewn with a “flag”: they are folded in pairs with their right sides inward, pinned together and stitched together on a machine - one pair after another, without cutting the threads. When all pairs of triangles are ready, the threads are cut.
Flag sewing
There is another method that speeds up working with triangles, but only with two-color ones.
First, cut out the same number of squares of both colors from the fabric (be sure to leave seam allowances).
Then the squares are cut diagonally.
By smoothing the allowances on one side (towards the darker triangle), you get two finished two-color squares.
When sewing squares into a common fabric, you need to trim off the protruding corners of the allowances.
Then the multi-colored squares are folded in pairs with the right sides inward, a diagonal line is drawn and stitched twice - on each side of the diagonal, leaving seam allowances.
To decorate square or rectangular parts with small triangular inserts, use the following method to make the work easier.
The desired corner is cut out in the form of a triangle, placed (front to front) on the square, as shown in the figure, and attached. Then cut off the extra corners.
Then the triangle is folded back and ironed.
The corners are sewn to the remaining corners of the rectangle in the same way.
If triangles have to be sewn from fabric that is stretched under the needle of the machine, then paper is placed under the stitching.
The most popular triangle patterns are “Mill”, “Star”, “Diamond”.
Some pictures in the photo gallery are from this site:
quiltstudio.ru/?p=594
and from others
Patchwork- a type of handicraft that was formed due to the need to use something shreds remaining after cutting and sewing. And if in the old days these were primitive crafts for household use, today the technique of patchwork or patchwork has become a real art that even people can practice unfamiliar with sewing- creating a patchwork quilt or craft is very simple.
Patchwork equipment
Patchwork has become so widespread that many handicraft stores can be seen and purchased special set for patchwork sewing, including all necessary tools. But for those who are not going to do such handicrafts all the time and do not want to spend money on purchasing such a set, tools that can find houses absolutely free.
Tools To create a patchwork masterpiece you will need:
- scissors or roller cutter
- needles
- threads
- pencil
- pins
- centimeter
- paper
- sewing machine (if there is a lot of sewing to do)
Textile Besides, materials needed, which can also be purchased in a store or searched for at home. To create a beautiful multi-colored craft you will need motley pieces fabrics and lining - all this can be cut from unusable old clothes, bed linen, scarves, curtains and others unused in everyday life of things.
Quilt sewing techniques for beginners. Easy ways to sew a DIY quilt
There is a large number various styles and techniques creating a patchwork quilt. They differ from each other not only specifics of creation, but also the superiority of a certain textures and colors. Let's look at the simplest patchwork techniques for beginner craftswomen.
Patchwork Traditional technique
English or traditional patchwork is considered the simplest and most suitable for beginners. His peculiarity is that scraps are used for sewing various sizes and shapes, which are simply stitched together in any order or forming a specific ornament.
Blanket in traditional technique 
Product made from scraps of various sizes 
Pillows in English technology 
Traditional technique with ornament Using this technique you can sew various household appliances, such as potholders, napkins, blankets and blankets. The simplicity of English patchwork also lies in the fact that, as a rule, only the front side is sewn from the scraps, and backside is a single piece of fabric.
Blanket with a pattern Square or checkerboard technique
Square technique This technique involves sewing a blanket from scraps sewn together squares of the same size. Making such a blanket will not be difficult, but hand sewing the parts will require a lot of time, so to save effort it is better to use sewing machine.
Blanket in chess technique 
Small squares 
Chess technique using squares of arbitrary sizes Watercolor technique
Blanket sewn from squares, as in the previous case, but a feature of the technique is a special approach to the selection color range and the combination of shades with each other. As a rule, fabric scraps are selected from light shades to darker ones, from cold colors to hot ones, etc. Attention is also paid to the texture of the fabric - the flaps should be in harmony with each other.
"Watercolor" “Strip to stripe” technique
To create a product using this technique, fabrics of various colors and textures cut into strips various lengths and widths. Combining them with each other in various patterns, they sew intricate pillowcases and blankets, tablecloths and interior items. Products may also contain any geometric figures(most often it is a square in the center), but stripes dominate, which are the basis of the composition.
Stripes 
Strip technique with creating a square pattern Technique "Triangles"
A blanket made from various triangular flaps, looks colorful and decorative due to the fact that with the help of these geometric shapes you can create various drawings and patterns. The technique is quite simple and suitable for beginners, and the principle of creating a blanket is to sew the sides together isosceles triangles.
Small triangles 
Large hand stitches 
Intricate pattern Crazy patchwork
The technique for making such a blanket is chaotic connection scraps of various sizes, textures and colors. Connecting with each other, they do not form any pattern or design, but are placed in in any order. The highlight of such a blanket will be its diversity and unusualness.
Crazy patchwork 
Similarity of drawing in this technique 
Blanket made from scraps using the crazy technique Knitted patchwork
Unlike previous techniques, this patchwork is created without stitching flaps. Firstly, not pieces of fabric are used, but knitted scraps different colors, but made from the same type of thread. Secondly, these scraps contact, rather than stitched, which allows you to create an original knitted blanket in the patchwork style.
Colorful squares 
Crochet patchwork 
Blanket in knitted patchwork style Knitted patchwork is not suitable for all needlewomen, since to create such a blanket you need to be familiar with knitting firsthand both knitting and crochet.
Japanese patchwork
The technique involves sewing a product from scraps of various geometric shapes. They can be connected to each other chaotically or in a specific application, and the colors must certainly be natural shades.
Japanese technology How to sew a patchwork quilt?
Whatever blanket sewing technique you choose, you need to prepare for what lies ahead painstaking work, but its result will more than repay all the efforts spent. Before starting work, you need to think about what tools will be necessary and what fabrics, if necessary, purchase the missing material.
Tools and materials If you don’t want to sew by hand, you can use sewing machine- the stitches will be more accurate and the seam line will be straighter. Also used in many techniques iron for ironing seams, and instead of scissors they use roller knife, which will make the work much easier.
Stencils for patchwork Patchwork sewing of a double-sided quilt
Beautiful and unusual blanket using crazy patchwork technique can be created even by a person who is hearing about patchwork for the first time. Ease of manufacture lies in the absence of any ornament and design- nevertheless, the blanket will turn out to be very unusual and will delight the eye with its bright colors.
Finished blanket First you need to prepare tools and materials that will be needed in the process of creating a blanket:
- 6 pieces of fabric (110*140 cm each), the same amount will be needed for the second side of the blanket
- padding polyester (170*220 cm)
- threads, needles, pins
- sewing machine
- roller knife or scissors
- lining
- ruler
- chalk or pencil
The fabric for the blanket must be suitable by texture and color scheme, the shreds should be in good harmony with each other. Before you start sewing the fabric is better wash and iron so that later it does not shrink in the finished product.
The work begins with patterning and cutting the fabric. To create a blanket, you need to cut out one piece from each cut. 6 squares with parameters 45x45 cm. We lay out the resulting cuts balls, alternating all available squares in the same sequence.
Squares Using a roller knife and a ruler, arbitrarily cut all the squares along one line. If you use scissors, you must measure out ruler cutting line and mark it with chalk or pencil, and then cut it out.
Pattern One of the cut fragments move it underneath stack in such a way that there are two fragments on top: the first and second color.
Squares need to be cut After that, by squares sew the fragments using a sewing machine. Iron the resulting squares and fold in the order in which the squares were after cutting.
Sew the fragments 
Another cut and repositioning 
Squares from fragments 
All fabric types must appear in the square One of the cut fragments is again placed under the bottom, after which, as the first time, it is repeated stitching and ironing.
Repeating actions Cutting, rearranging and further actions are repeated 7-10 times in order to maximize the colors in the squares mixed up. To make this happen faster, you can rearrange the fragments two or three squares at once below, then these steps will have to be repeated less times.
Trimming edges After from single-color squares Multi-colored patchwork cuts will be made. You are faced with the task trim them so that all their sides are equal 32 cm. Then you can proceed directly to “assembling” the blanket, or rather, its tailoring.
Using a typewriter connect the squares into one canvas, sewing them together and ironing the seams. Create in exactly the same sequence second side blankets, after which you can sew the product into a single whole. To do this sequentially stitched layer by layer the first layer, padding polyester and the second layer.
Patchwork: baby blanket for girls
In the patchwork style you can create a cute blanket for girls, choosing pieces of fabric in pink shades and padding polyester as the material. Perfect for this any technique patchwork, but the simplest technique, which even beginners can handle perfectly, will be the technique chess patchwork.
Pink patchwork quilt For an interesting checkerboard pattern, fabrics are enough two shades, but by using more shades of pink, your product will be more advantageous. Cutting out the squares same size and by connecting them together, placing the colors in a checkerboard pattern, you can quickly and effortlessly sew an original blanket for a child. To ensure that the seams do not bulge, it is necessary iron them carefully.
Large square blanket The manufactured part of the blanket must be attach to padding polyester, and on the reverse side it is better to use solid cut pink fabric of the required size: the wrong side will not harm the product at all, but, on the contrary, will give it a decorative effect. It will also contribute decorative finishing the front side, which can be decorated with homemade flowers or bows.
Chess technique Patchwork: a blanket for a boy
To create a warm and beautiful blanket for a boy, it is preferable to choose fabrics blue and light blue shades, but they can also be multi-colored, variegated and have different patterns. For a patchwork style product you will need:
- several types of fabric that match each other in texture to create squares
- piece of fabric for the wrong side of the blanket
- padding polyester
- sewing supplies (needles, threads, sewing machine)
- ruler
- scissors
Baby blanket Sequence of work:
- Before you start creating a baby blanket, you need fabric wash and iron(this way the finished blanket will not shrink after washing)
2. After this you can measure and cut squares of different sizes 27x27 cm. Total such squares need to be created 24
3. Lay out the wrong side of the fabric on a flat surface, which should be a few centimeters larger than the front side and attach padding polyester to it
5. Place on the resulting workpiece along the edge, in a line squares and pin them to the workpiece
6. Sew the squares to the workpiece along the lower and lateral lines squares, without touching their upper side, which again pin with pins
7. Along the lines, a little tucking the squares to hide their edges, sew all the squares to the workpiece
8. The protruding edges of the blanket can be trimmed and attach on the sides there are small strips of fabric that will hide errors and irregularities