What was patchwork used for

Not all patchwork was produced for reasons of economy, however. There's evidence that some of the patchwork quilts in our collection used significant amounts of specially bought fabrics and these quilts have been attributed to middle-class women making these objects for pleasure rather than necessity.

There was also a tradition of military quilts, sewn by male soldiers while posted overseas in the second half of the 19th century. The Museum initially collected examples of patchwork because of the significance of the fragments of textiles, rather than the works as a whole. As a result, our collection charts the use of the fine silks and velvets of the 17th and 18th centuries through to the cheap cottons manufactured during the Industrial Revolution.

The largest number of patchwork quilts in our collection date from the 19th century. During this period, intricate designs were used to portray a number of different motifs — from scripture and biblical scenes, as seen in Ann West's coverlet , to scenes of world events and even playing-card designs, as seen in a bed cover dated to — This kind of patchwork was so popular that several examples were displayed at the Great Exhibition of During the same period, patchwork was promoted by the likes of prison reformer Elizabeth Fry as a skill that should be taught to female inmates — a means of providing the prisoners both employment and allowing time for reflection.

Patchwork saw a broad decline over the 20th century, but was adopted by the fashion industry in the s as a 'look' associated with hippie culture, not just a technique. By the end of the century, both patchwork and quilting — as crafts so closely associated with women — became techniques used by artists such as Tracey Emin and Michelle Walker to explore notions of 'women's art' and work.

Memoriam by Michele Walker is one example in our collection. You can also watch interviews with contemporary artists and quilt makers Jo Budd and Natasha Kerr who draw on the long tradition of quilting and patchwork for their contemporary art practice. Explore the range of exclusive gifts, jewellery, prints and more.

Further Information. A History of Patchwork Posted: 7th October in Uncategorised Hidepark has ventured in to the world of furnishings! But just what is the history behind patchwork? Hidepark News Sign up to our email newsletter to receive the latest new product information and special web-only offers for Hidepark products. We respect your privacy and promise never to abuse this medium.

We never sell or give any information we have about you to any other company. Presently, modern quilt makers use a sewing machine. Types of patchwork:. An expression of one's creativity:. Once a person is well acquitted with the patterns, and stitching forms, they can conjure up their own designs in a creative manner. Patchworks are used in garments, beddings, curtains and many more. Luxurious beddings with quilts created with soft fabrics, are comfortable to use and also enhance the look of the room.

Various designs and exclusive fabrics are used to reflect the eclectic preferences of the consumers. Velvet throw with chambray backing, and hand quilted vertical lines give a neat and elegant look to the fabric. Patchwork in small scale industries:. Patch work can also be creatively combined with embroidery and other forms of stitching. Various fabrics such as organdy voiles, organdies, organza, tissues, taffetas and heavy plain and textured fabrics like duck, herringbone, velvets and cotton linen are used in making unique patterns.

The craft is now emerging as a profitable business for small scale industries. Diploma courses are offered to those who would like to pursue a career in this craft. Patchwork fabrics are becoming increasingly popular in the international market due to their virtues like appealing styles, optimum comfort, and trendy look. Many types of quilts patterns can be made using the log cabin block with each giving a different look depending on the shading of the colours of the fabric.

The best fabric to use is cotton or a high cotton mix as these tend not to stretch as this would distort the finished result. Usually but the fabrics blend together in colours but there is always room for bright vibrant none matching ones as well. Crafters Companion and Minerva Crafts have a good selection of fabric if you need extra bits. When sewing blocks it is essential that the fabric shapes are cut out as accurately as possible trying to keep everything square so the block will fit together.

This will be really helpful if the blocks are then to be made into a throw or quilt as shown in the one above.

The different patchwork blocks can be used to create a beautiful quilts. These can be made using individual blocks of all the different designs or all the same design and then joined together. Using sashing or material strips between the individual blocks and then borders to complete the edges gives a different look to that of attaching the different blocks to each other.

Both quilts will look great but also different. In both designs each individual square, block or patch needs to end up the same size. Abstract quilts can be made using different shapes and experimenting with different ideas can give stunning results. That is the one thing I love about sewing, it can always be unpicked if the look isn't what was wanted and I also have done a lot of that.