Patchwork

Patchwork is a method of sewing together different pieces of fabrics to create a pattern. These pieces of fabrics could be of various colours, materials or having different designs. A large design created with patchwork generally has repeat patterns made with a variety of colourful geometric shapes. These are cautiously measured, cut and sewn together neatly. Patchwork typically lies flat and has no puckers. For a quilt, the large patchwork is the top layer, the batting is the middle layer and the bottom layer is the backing. In order to keep this batting in place, the patchwork is usually quilted by hand or a sewing machine for creating a running stitch. In the technique of knotting or tying, the layers of cloths are tied together with yarns, maintaining constant gaps in between.

There are three types of patchwork: block, overall and strip piecing. In block patchwork, square shaped pieces of fabrics of many colours are stitched together within a square of 8 to 10 inches. A few patchwork block names would include Tulip, Log Cabin, Bear’s Paw, Drunkard’s Path and Nine Patch. In an overall patchwork, the pieces of fabric are strictly ordered to form a pattern with geometric shapes. In strip piecing, fabric pieces are sewn together in repeated patterns in elongated strips and these are later stitched lengthwise.