Japanese technique of applique patterns on fabric. Japanese patchwork for beginners: history, features and detailed master class

If you are a beginner needlewoman, then this article will be useful for you. We will help you understand what the Japanese patchwork technique is and show you a master class.

Patchwork is ancient art, and no one can tell the year and place of his birth. Craftswomen tried to save on material costs, so they made things, bags, toys, etc. from leftover materials. Previously, sewing from scraps was considered a craft of the poor, but in our time it is a beauty and a labor-intensive task.

Japan and shreds

Patchwork began with the clothes of monks. Religious communities did not have money for new clothes, because of this, a patch was placed over the holes and quilted. This is where the quilting technique came from. Afterwards, similar sewing was used in military clothing.

The Japanese living in cities and villages did not accept such art until the crisis came. When factories could not provide residents with clothes due to the ban on importing fabrics from China, they had to sew from leftovers. Gradually, patchwork became a national tradition.

Thus, the Japanese not only repair clothes, but also decorate and decorate.

Features of national art

The Japanese have an unusual style of sewing; they don’t just sew rags, but create pictures on things. Fabrics are selected from silk or cotton, printed and textured. This choice is made deliberately so that the stitching appears three-dimensional.

Japanese handicrafts are highly valued because they are exceptional manual labor, requiring long perseverance. A machine cannot make patchwork masterpieces.

The main difference between the art of the eastern state and the rest is the use of stitches, which make the sewing structure strong. Stitches also provide decoration.

In the modern Eastern world, patchwork needlework helps to relax, meditate and let go of all heavy thoughts.

Modernity and shreds

Time moves forward, and changes come in national handicrafts. IN recent years craftswomen add beads, seed beads, tassels, etc. to their creations. This adds more interest to the products of all designers in Europe and the entire civilized world.

Eastern talents and business

Gone are the days when patchwork was a sign of poverty. In the 21st century, such a labor-intensive occupation is highly paid. Craftswomen all over the world can study this art direction, and the hobby can develop into a profitable business.

But practice and skill are important, so give your work on all birthdays. Let word of mouth spread.

The fashion for things made with your own hands will not go away in the coming centuries! After all, almost all of Europe fell in love with things of this technology.

Reconnecting with nature

Since ancient times, the Japanese have tried to live in harmony with nature, reflecting this in their art. And often embroidered paintings have a floral motif. Even geometric figures beautiful leaves and flowers emerge. People, houses, and animals are less often depicted. The colors of the fabrics are selected in calm shades.

Art and futon

A futon is a mattress that has been a classic in the home since ancient times. The Japanese do not spend money on repairing such things, but cover them with scraps so as not to throw them away, because they believe that things should have a second life.

Therefore, traditionally futons look attractive, some are embroidered like paintings.

Yosegire

This interesting word denotes one branch of oriental patchwork. It was invented by the Japanese in order to wisely circumvent the ban on wearing expensive fabrics. Women sewed clothes from cotton, but with pieces of silk, as if hiding it.

Over time, this type of creativity has become the face of the country and the fashionable trend of crazy patchwork.

Sashiko

To master this skill, you need to know what sashiko is. This is the Japanese “forward needle” embroidery technique, which reveals the whole secret of unusual things. The stitches are decorative, despite the fact that they were used to sew military armor.

The evenness of the stitches is not as important as their uniform size. It is by the latter criterion that the skill of a needlewoman is assessed.

You can watch a detailed video master class of the sashiko technique below:

Yo-yo

This is another Japanese patchwork technique. The bottom line is that small remnants of matter are used, which are shaped like a circle and a square. The details can be sewn on as decoration, or they can be stitched together.

There are several main areas of this technique:

Stylization. Mostly these are toys.
Decoration in the form of flowers. You can decorate everything: curtains, clothes, pillows. The interior with such things becomes more noble.
Mosaic. Elements sewn together, most often bedspreads, decorative pillowcases, tablecloths, etc.

Patterns and details will be easy to make, because there are only 2 forms.

finished size x 2 + 1 = part size;
Using this formula, you can calculate the length (width) of the side for a square shape.

Some craftswomen manage to make yo-yos from hexagons and ovals.

What you can do in the style of Japanese patchwork

This is exactly the kind of handicraft when there are no restrictions:

bags, cosmetic bags;
paintings, applications;
pillows;
blankets, bedspreads, blankets;
cloth;
rugs;
bed sheets;
upholstery of upholstered furniture;
omiyage;
small interior and decorative items.

Kinusaiga

I would like to pay special attention to this type of applied creativity. This is all also sewing from small remnants of fabric, but without a needle. In this case, a wooden board is added to the tools, where the “sticking” of fabrics will take place.

This is a young art that appeared at the end of the 20th century. The idea came to a Japanese woman who, out of love for nature, did not want to throw away her kimono. She simply started making paintings that those around her liked so much.

This direction has support among women in many countries. Because of this, development is constantly happening. They create landscapes, portraits, just paintings .

In order for the work to be 100% successful, the stencil is initially recreated. Next, the drawing needs to be transferred to the panel where the painting will be.

Modern craftswomen use foam plastic instead of wood. Because it is more convenient in every sense: softness, accessibility.

In this direction of patchwork, patterns are also needed. Depending on the base, it depends how much you need to increase the size of the pattern. For foam plastic, the elements at the edges are cut 1 cm larger.

And for a wooden base, just a couple of ml. This difference arises due to the softness of the material, because you cannot stick 1 cm into wood.

Now you can begin the process: manually assembling all the fabric parts and “sticking” them into the base.

This is how masterpieces are born.

Originating as a banal economy of fabric, patchwork has become a real art in the world of needlework. Almost every ancient state had its own characteristics of this technique. English patchwork, which is famous for its simplicity of shape and availability of fabrics, has received worldwide recognition. But no less interesting is Japanese patchwork. Like everything else, the inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun managed to bring this technique to perfection and turn it into real art.

Features of Japanese patchwork

Unlike European craftswomen, Japanese ones have their own special techniques and techniques. The first feature is that it is used to decorate the finished canvas, creating and emphasizing unusual patterns and designs. Thus, simply stitched together the flaps become like a work of art.

Secondly, special attention is paid to floral designs and ornaments. These can be either prints on fabric or embroidered patterns.

Thirdly, the use of appliques is not typical for English technology. Japanese patchwork often uses this technique to create a more picturesque picture.

Craftsmen from Japan never use sewing machines for work. For them, this technique is a way to have fun and create a truly valuable thing. And this is only possible if it is done manually.

And, of course, fabrics. Japanese patchwork uses predominantly silk, while throughout the world cotton fabrics are preferred.

Patchwork as art

The Japanese know how to turn everyday things into a whole philosophy. Sewing from fabric scraps was no exception. The combination of different flaps, their colors and shapes allows you to create real picturesque paintings. They are complemented by applique and embroidery. It's not just patchwork anymore. Japanese technology has improved to such a level that it has long ceased to be just a craft.

There are cases when Europeans and Americans mistook such works for painting on silk, they looked so incredible.

In addition, this technique is essentially close to religious views, which endow the living and inanimate objects. Patchwork means reviving the soul of dying fabric products, transforming them into a new and improved form.

Basic block layouts

As we know from history, the ancient Japanese patchwork is appliqué. The layout of its blocks in modern times is dictated precisely by this feature. In most cases, a fabric blank is taken for sewing, onto which patches are applied in a certain order. Their arrangement is dominated by clear geometric lines, circles and squares, and various arcs.

No less popular, and maybe more so, than geometric, plant motifs. Flower petals and tree crowns are laid out from multi-colored rags. This feature is not typical for English technology, since it is more complex in execution.

In fact, an inexperienced craftsman is unlikely to distinguish Japanese patchwork from European one. The main distinguishing feature of the latter is simplicity and clarity. The Japanese strive to make each product as complex and bizarre as possible. This is worth considering using the example of a simple motive.

Example of assembling a simple block

It is difficult to completely master Japanese patchwork in one or two times. The master class of this technique is simple, but the general concept is akin to philosophy. First, you should master the basics.

To work, you will need 3 cardboard blanks: 2 circles of different diameters and a square that fits exactly into the smaller circle.

Cut out a flap in a large circle. We make a dotted seam along the edge with a contrasting thread. We do not fasten the ends of the thread.

We take a smaller circle, place it in a fabric blank and smooth its edges inside. We tighten the thread so that the workpiece holds its shape better. We take out the cardboard circle, and in its place we put a square piece of paper on the front side.

Next, we bend the edges of the circle into the shape of a square and secure them with pins. The workpiece is ready for further stitching with a forward stitch. This is the simplest example that demonstrates Japanese patchwork to the uninitiated. The master class of this technique is clear, but it itself will require a certain skill from the performer.

Forward stitch

Anyone who wants to learn Japanese patchwork, the patterns of which are widespread, will come across such a concept as the “forward needle” stitch. This is one of the basic seams in sewing and embroidery.

It is performed by passing a needle through the fabric at equal distances. This is precisely the difficulty of the technique: you need to learn how to make a perfectly even dotted line with a thread. The stitches and spaces between them should have equal distances. Otherwise the product will look ugly.

Anyone who can master this stitch perfectly will be able to create the most beautiful products using the Japanese patchwork technique. Applique, patterns and patterns in it are impossible without mastering the forward stitch. In addition, in real patchwork it is not allowed to use any technical means for stitching the flaps.

Areas of application

Patchwork was originally used to update old clothes. There have been examples in history of how products using this technique served as chain mail, protecting against arrows and glancing blows from a sword.

Today it's original decorative technique. Many designers use Japanese patchwork in their work. Bags made using this technique are especially popular because they are not only beautiful, but also convenient and practical.

Also often found are bedspreads, blankets, curtains) sewn from scraps in the Japanese style.

It is also used for sewing clothes. Even in ancient times, it was believed that a gift was very expensive if it was made using the patchwork technique. Japanese technology makes each item unique, since it is created only by hand and for a specific person.

The simplest bag

To sew a bag using this technique, you need to make a sufficient number of blank blocks. Using the example of the previous master class, we will consider a simple way to assemble a bag.

Since our blocks are square in shape, creating a parallelepiped with them is not difficult. This will be the beginning for our bag. We sew the blanks together, sew on the lining and handles - we get a practical and convenient shopping bag.

In the future, you can try and learn how to sew other blocks that make up Japanese patchwork. Bags made using this technique will complement any outfit and become an integral part of its ensemble.

Seamless Japanese patchwork

As noted earlier, the Japanese elevated this type of needlework to the level of real art. Proof of this is seamless paintings using this technique. They arose at a time when Japan introduced restrictions on imports

The essence of “drawing with fabric” is as follows: a smooth board was taken as a blank. A contour drawing was applied to it. Small narrow grooves were cut along the contours. Thanks to them, the fabric stayed on the future canvas.

Paintings using this technique, called kinusaiga, are a bit like stained glass, with the only difference being that they are opaque.

Nowadays this art has changed a little. Today, polystyrene foam is used as a blank, which does not require preliminary grooves.

Of course, products using the Kinusaiga technique are of an exclusively applied nature and cannot be used in everyday life.

Those who want to create Japanese patchwork with their own hands need to spend a lot of time and effort to master this art perfectly.

First you need to study the basic shapes from which patchwork blocks are created. Japanese technique is a bit like origami, just as complex and requiring perfect execution in everything. A slightly inaccurate bend, uneven stitching, or a skewed block can seriously damage appearance finished product.

It is also worth learning how to sew by hand. And you will have to master not only the “forward needle” seam. For a long time, Japanese craftsmen have been using embroidery as one of the main elements of patchwork. The more seams the craftsman knows, the more original the product turns out.

Although patchwork is made from scraps, these days it is necessary to buy special fabrics for this art. At the same time, they must be of the same quality, thickness and density, otherwise the product will be swollen and skewed. This is one of those cases where saving can be costly. Only good dears guarantee success.

Contrasting appliqués complement perfectly ready product. Moreover, they are made from the same blocks, and not from separate flaps. The latter is quite rare when it is necessary to focus on a particularly small element.

Don't be afraid to experiment. Color and shape can be complemented by beautiful seam lines and light applications. Or vice versa - the patchwork fabric becomes an excellent background for a real embroidered picture.

What is patchwork?

Patchwork - patchwork sewing. One of the oldest types of needlework, which is still popular in many countries. Each culture has its own characteristics and its own approach to patchwork. One of the most unique types of patchwork came to us from Japan.

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The Japanese used the patchwork technique primarily to save money. Sewing products were an expensive pleasure and were treated with great care. And patchwork sewing was particularly durable - after all, a torn scrap could easily be replaced with another.

Japanese patchwork in the modern world

Now Japanese patchwork can hardly be called an economical needlework, since the materials that are used specifically for this type of patchwork are quite expensive, but this technique is still loved by many. Japanese patchwork is not limited to blankets or home decor. Professional craftsmen can make unusual bags, wallets, cosmetic bags and even toys.

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Distinctive features of Japanese patchwork

Japanese patchwork is distinguished not only by its technical side, but also by its philosophical side. The craft, designed to simplify people's lives, over time became a real art with its own aesthetics and ideology.

Approach to the matter

In Japanese culture, peace of mind and self-knowledge through meditation are very important. The approach to needlework in the Land of the Rising Sun is also unique. You won't find a craftsman who uses machine stitches - handmade is considered an important distinctive feature of Japanese patchwork. True connoisseurs are very sensitive to this feature of needlework. Japanese patchwork is a rather painstaking process, so it requires calm and patience, giving you the opportunity to find peace while doing what you love.

Unlike other countries, in Japan it is common to use natural fabrics- silk rags or Japanese cotton. In China and Europe, patchwork masters usually take cotton scraps for work.

Images

The paintings made from scraps depict mainly natural motifs, and the colors of the fabrics are calm and neutral.

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A very important feature of Japanese patchwork is the characteristic hand stitches - sashiko.

This is a method of stitching pieces with the needle forward. Initially, the stitch was widely used in sewing quilted clothing. This technique is relevant not only for joining flaps, but also for embroidering decorative details of a product. Japanese culture is full of symbolism, and sometimes the patterns made by the masters carry a certain meaning.

Applications

The Japanese patchwork technique is distinguished by appliqués. If in European patchwork fabrics are usually sewn together in their original form, Japanese patchwork masters decorate products with various hand-made appliqués and create a whole composition from their creations, sometimes with an independent plot. Applications in Japanese patchwork can be completely different; often craftsmen use additional materials in order to give the product interesting view. These could be, for example, ribbons or buttons. It is characteristic that the colors of the appliqués are usually also calm; there are almost no too bright patterns in Japanese patchwork.

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@japanquilt.ru @handmadetravel.ru Learning Japanese patchwork. Expert advice

Japanese patchwork is an interesting, original type of patchwork that requires special patience and endurance. If you are captivated by non-standard needlework, you should first listen to a professional. Japanese patchwork master Olga Abakumova shared with us basic tips for beginners.

What materials are best to study with?

Japanese cotton - best material for working in this technique, but if it is not possible to purchase it, any natural fabrics will do.

A leather thimble and a thin needle number 11 or 12 will definitely come in handy for this work.

Where to start?

First of all, you need to look at the works of the masters. The most the best option will see everything live, touch the products and blanks, understand what you have to work with. Next, you should learn how to make confident, beautiful seams with small stitches. Before tackling large items, get your hands on simple work.

How to make stitches using the sashiko technique?

Patchwork, as a type of needlework, has been known for a very long time. Its samples were discovered in Egyptian pyramids and in excavations in a number of Asian countries. Developing independently in different parts of the world, this type of needlework over many centuries has reached the level that is recognized as a type of decorative and applied art.

Taking advantage of the opportunities provided by patchwork, quilt, chenille, shoil, yo-yo and other popular patchwork techniques, you can create original and practical products for the home with your own hands from leftover fabric - blankets, pillows, curtains, tablecloths, rugs, panels, and also clothes, bags, cosmetic bags, notebook covers, toys and much more.

Patchwork Quilt

The patchwork fashion has revived the popularity of patchwork quilts in today's world. The history of their appearance is associated with a lack of funds to purchase expensive products, as well as a shortage of fabrics. Besides patchwork quilt had a sacred character, acting as a talisman and a symbol of the connection between generations within the family. No wonder, patchwork quilts were a must wedding gift newlyweds or dowry of a newborn baby. Traditionally, brightly colored chintz was used to make it, so the blanket had not only a practical function, but also an aesthetic one, decorating the home.

The warmth and comfort that patchwork style blankets provide has ensured their popularity in the present day. When sewing them, they still use natural cotton fabrics: chintz, calico, calico, flannel, flannel. Only the filling has changed; now modern materials are used to make blankets: padding polyester, Thinsulate, batting, Isosoft, holofiber, etc.

When sewing patchwork style blankets, use simple circuits assemblies. Individual elements are mainly cut out in the form of squares, which are connected to each other in any order. This simplicity is explained by the fact that clothes are most often used tucked into a duvet cover, so there is no need for special complex drawings No. Stitching remains an essential element of a patchwork blanket. Figured or simple, it connects 3 layers - the top patchwork, the middle one consisting of insulation and the bottom one - a lining. Quilting can be done by hand using a buttonhole stitch, hand stitching or a goat stitch. But most often quilting in Lately performed on a sewing machine, using a figured or simple stitch along the contour.

Patchwork bedspread

A bedspread, unlike a blanket, is thinner and has greater functionality. It is used as a blanket to cover or wrap up while sitting in a chair or on a sofa, and also as a cape to cover bedding or upholstery. Like a blanket, it consists of 3 layers, only instead of bulky insulating pads when sewing bedspreads, non-woven fabric or thin padding polyester is used, which does not create a large volume. For the details of the top, when sewing it, denser materials are used - linen, jacquard, tapestry, mixed fabrics. Since the bedspread often plays an aesthetic role in the interior, more complex and interesting schemes and drawings.

Patchwork patchwork patterns

Experts recommend mastering the patchwork technique by creating a large product - a blanket or bedspread. You can assemble patchwork elements into a whole product at will, improvising along the way, but products where patches sewn together form a certain pattern or color gradation look much more interesting. To do this, a sketch or diagram is created in advance, where all the elements are drawn in detail. Then individual parts are prepared, which are assembled in accordance with the diagram, first into blocks, and then individual blocks into a single sheet, which is connected to the lining. For convenience, when cutting flaps, cardboard or plastic templates are used, which make it easy to cut the required number of parts of the same size.

Patchwork and patchwork techniques

Patchwork is the most popular patchwork technique, which involves creating a whole product by sewing together individual patches. Working in this technique, you can master several types of patchwork:

classic or English involves assembling a whole product from scraps of the same size and shape - square, triangle, rhombus, rectangle, hexagon, etc.;

crazy is a type of patchwork in which products are created from scraps of various colors, sizes and shapes, sewn randomly. The seams of such products are additionally decorated with ribbons, lace, and the products themselves are decorated with beads and seed beads;

Japanese patchwork - a technology for creating floral and geometric patterns from silk rags using sashiko stitches;

knitted patchwork involves creating a product from scraps of knitted fabric, knitted or crocheted elements;

When creating products in the patchwork style, various techniques are used.

Those who are just starting to master this type of needlework should try the following techniques:

squares - a method that assumes that the entire product consists of identical square or rectangular elements assembled into large square blocks;
stripes - a method of assembling rectangular elements of various sizes in a spiral, parallel, zigzag, ladder, etc.;
triangles - a method that uses triangular-shaped parts assembled into strips, squares or star-shaped blocks;
honeycomb - this technique used when assembling hexagonal parts.

Having mastered the assembly of simple geometric elements, you can move on to more complex patchwork techniques - lapachika, chenille, watercolor, yo-yo, shoil, English park, rag quilt, bargello, patchwork corners, boro, frayed quilt, Australian stained glass, etc.

DIY patchwork bedspread

A beautiful, bright bedspread measuring 140x110 cm, sewn from squares of the same size, can be made even by those who are just trying their hand at patchwork, the main thing is to know how to use a sewing machine. Work begins with developing a sketch and procuring the necessary materials. As a pattern diagram for the future blanket, you can use the examples presented in this article or come up with your own.

To work you will need:

cotton fabric of various colors, which must be cut into identical squares measuring 16x16 cm, 63 squares in total;
a piece of padding polyester measuring 115×145 cm;
cut cotton fabric for lining measuring 120x150 cm;
bias binding 4.1 m;
cardboard template;
scissors, thread, pins, chalk;
sewing machine;
iron.

1. Before cutting, the fabric should be washed and ironed to prevent it from shrinking later. Since precision cutting is the key to a neat product, you should use a cardboard template when cutting individual elements. Using it, cutting out 63 square blanks 16×16 cm (taking into account the allowance, in finished form- 15×15 cm).

2. Place squares on the table, 7 pieces in each row (9 rows) in accordance with the selected pattern.

3. Sew individual elements, folding them face to face, using a machine into strips of 7 squares. Iron seam allowances to one side.

4. Sew the collected strips into a single fabric, iron the seams.

5. Place the lining piece face down on the table, place padding polyester or other insulation on top of it, and cover it with a patchwork fabric so that it faces up. Pin the product together at the corners of the squares in each row.

6. Quilt the blanket lengthwise and crosswise on a machine, placing stitches in the seams connecting the squares, or parallel to them. Remove the pins and sew along the edge of the product.

7. Cut off the excess padding along the edge of the product, and then process the cuts with bias tape. To do this, fold a short section of the bias tape, place it on the lining side of the blanket and stitch along the stitching of the edges of the blanket. Not reaching 0.5 cm to the end, interrupt the stitching and, turning the product, start a new stitch from the corner, placing a corner of the bias tape in the fold. Having sewn it along the entire perimeter of the blanket, turn the binding onto its front side, straighten the corners. Fold up a long section of the binding and stitch it onto the front side of the blanket. The blanket is ready.

You can watch the video in more detail about the process of sewing a patchwork quilt.

Patchwork crochet patchwork knitting

Crochet patchwork provides great opportunities for creativity. Using this technique, you can make a variety of products for the home, toys, clothes, and accessories. When creating individual elements, traditional crochet techniques are used - granny square, fillet technique, triangular, round and hexagonal openwork motifs and dense patterns.
The individual elements are connected to each other using a hook into larger parts. When knitting blankets and rugs, finished knitted fabrics can be placed on a lining or used without a lining. Along the perimeter, such products can be decorated with a knitted border or scallops. Products that combine several crocheting techniques, as well as crocheting and knitting, or assembled from knitted and textile parts will look interesting.

Patchwork pillows patchwork pattern, do it yourself

Decorative pillows are a great opportunity to add some zest to the interior of your living room or bedroom. When doing it in patchwork style, you can choose not only simple natural fabrics, but also those containing mixed fibers or those with a rich texture.

To sew a pillow 36×436 cm in patchwork style you will need:

several scraps of fabric, harmoniously combined with each other;
piece of fabric for the back of the pillow 40x40 cm;
a piece of non-woven fabric 40×40 cm;
pillow filling;
zipper 20 cm long;
threads, pins, scissors;
sewing machine and iron.

Pre-wash and iron the fabric.

Cut 9 squares measuring 11x11 cm, 5 heart-shaped pieces of smaller size, 4 strips 30x8 cm and 4 squares 8x8 cm.
For 5 squares measuring 11x11 cm, cut a heart-shaped notch, 1 cm smaller than the heart-shaped pieces.
Cut 4 squares measuring 11x11 cm diagonally into 2 triangles, and then cut each triangle again, so from 1 square you get 4 triangular elements.
Lay out the parts on the table to create a pillow pattern, as shown in the diagram below (Fig. 1).
Sew square blanks from triangles (Fig. 2 and 3), seam width 1 cm.
Sew the details of the hearts into the squares with the corresponding notches (Fig. 4,5), iron the seams.
Sew the square blanks into strips of 3 pieces, observing the sequence of the pattern, iron the seams.
Sew the strips together into a whole fabric in accordance with the diagram, iron the seams.
Sew previously cut strips of fabric along the perimeter of the assembled fabric and sew square elements measuring 8x8 cm into the corners. Iron the seams to one side (Fig. 6). Glue the entire part from the inside with non-woven fabric.
Cut the piece of flap for the wrong side of the pillow into 2 parts. Stitch them together along the edges, leaving a hole for the zipper - 20 cm. Sew in the zipper (Fig. 7).
Fold the front and back pieces of the pillow with the right sides facing in, pin together and stitch around the perimeter.
Turn the pillowcase right side out and place it on the finished sofa cushion suitable size or fill with padding polyester or holofiber.

Patchwork patchwork bags

A bag is an essential element of any woman's wardrobe. Having mastered the technique of patchwork, you can create original designer accessories yourself. To sew patchwork style bags yourself, it is recommended to choose durable, wear-resistant fabrics.

Video patchwork patchwork

The video below demonstrates how to sew a clutch bag using the patchwork technique in a few hours.

Patchwork quilting

Quilting is a type of patchwork. His characteristic feature is a figured stitch. Products made in the quilting manner - quilts - are often complemented with embroidery, appliqué, and decorated with beads, buttons, and ribbons. Inspired by the ideas below, you can sew your own quilt by hand or on a sewing machine.

Patchwork classes are a wonderful opportunity to unleash your creative potential and develop your taste. A few scraps, imagination and a sewing machine will allow you to create original little masterpieces.

Patchwork – original sewing from scraps fabric, which has ancient traditions and is typical for the peoples of many countries around the world. Familiar rugs, blankets and pillows made from colorful pieces of fabric have long been used in rustic and country style interiors in particular. But long before Rus', exquisite masterpieces made from rags were used in the traditional interiors of Japanese houses. Japanese patchwork is the same art of creation that is well known to many original elements decor from scraps, but with a characteristic eastern accent and traditions dating back to the past of this exotic country.

Japanese patchwork: art in the name of economy

Handicraft technique using square patches, which reminded the Japanese of the source of their main food - rice fields, originated in Japan around the 7th century. It was used in those days exclusively for practical purposes, when sewing quilted jackets by monks of Buddhist temples.

At first, Japanese patchwork was the simplest sewing using stitches that overlapped several layers of fabric. This technique made it possible to save on fabric by placing old pieces on new ones, and as a result of overlapping threads, original patterns were obtained. A little later, the Japanese borrowed the features of creating quilts from the American type of patchwork - quilt, supplementing them with his own colorful techniques - sashiko and yosegire.

DIY Japanese patchwork pillows

The Japanese are great connoisseurs of minimalism in everything. Therefore, their national art of patchwork arose thanks to traditional economy in everything. Colorful futon pillows were also created by the inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun using this economical technique. Such decorative elements were once considered a real luxury that few could afford. Therefore, they were used for a long time, and the worn-out areas were renewed by attaching scraps to the pillows.

Then this fashion trend extended to the creation of other things. Created from scraps using Japanese technique patchwork kimono is called komono, and paintings made from scraps, made without the use of a needle, are one of the varieties of this art, called kinusaiga by the Japanese.

Features of patchwork in Japanese

At first glance, it may seem to many that Japanese-style patchwork is no different from the traditional type of needlework by the British, who are considered the founders of patchwork art. In fact, this is not so. Japanese patchwork successfully combines Eastern and Western traditions, while possessing a number of its own specific features.

Japanese-style patchwork is intended to be used directly patchwork, and stitches. It also includes elements of special sashiko embroidery, which gives items made in this style the effect of apparent volume and special realism of the created paintings.
Exquisite ornaments are a distinctive feature that ideally characterizes Japanese patchwork. Two main directions of characteristic patterns in this style can be distinguished: the main layouts of pieces of fabric are geometric patterns, associated with rice fields, and flowers. The abundance of blossoming buds of various colors is the “highlight” of Japanese patchwork.

To create original masterpieces using the Japanese patchwork technique, in contrast to the standard type of this needlework, not cotton fabrics are used, but silk. Usually selected checkered fabrics. Preference is given to colors that are closest to natural colors, because in this Japanese art, as in most cases, the most important motif in Japanese culture - closeness to nature - also runs through a thin thread.
Traditionally, Japanese patchwork is quite painstaking, but exclusively handmade. For the Japanese, the use of machine seams is unacceptable. Despite global technological progress, Japanese residents have special respect for the traditions of their ancestors. Therefore, it is believed that creating things in the patchwork style using machine work is a disgrace for a true master. Japanese patchwork is a real art, far removed from the simplicity of similar English needlework. The Japanese put a piece of their soul and a special eastern worldview into each of their creations.

Popular Japanese patchwork techniques

Sashiko

This technique of creating special seams ( « forward the needle » ) in the form of thin dotted lines has historical roots. This technique was originally used for sewing multi-layer blankets and quilted clothing, which, as it turned out, can successfully cope with the function of protective “armor”. The seams in this case do not have to be straight. Patterns of any shape are allowed. Sashiko embroidery is often done with threads contrasting with the fabric. The main requirements for such technology are compliance equal stitch lengths, simplicity of drawing and accuracy in execution.

Yosegire

The name of this technique sounds something like "sewing the pieces together". The Japanese approach everything with philosophy. So, the creation of things from scraps has long been considered a real strengthening of the spirit, and their donation was regarded as a wish for long life to the recipient of such a gift. The ban on open display of luxurious outfits made an invaluable contribution to the development of this art form. This is exactly how yosegire sewing appeared, which is often called the art of hidden elegance. At first, the flaps were sewn together in the form of random patterns, later they began to purposefully create meaningful paintings. Combining this skill with sashiko embroidery was the moment of the birth of the art of Japanese-style patchwork.

Kinusaiga - patchwork without a needle

This is figuratively - patchwork mosaic, laid out on a wooden base. For creating original jewelry This type of Japanese patchwork technique does not require a needle. First, a sketch of the future painting is created on paper. Then the intended design is applied to wooden planks with paints, and shallow cuts are made along its contour, into which shreds specially selected to create a full-fledged picture will be inserted. Standard drawings for kinusaiga are traditional landscapes of the land of the rising sun. Initially, scraps of old kimono were used for such paintings, but now the best pieces of expensive silks are often selected to create real masterpieces with a mesmerizing the effect of a “living picture”».

Japanese patchwork is an extraordinary art that deserves your attention. It will allow you to add notes of the atmosphere of the land of the rising sun to the interior of your home, which is especially important for Japanese-style rooms. Using this technique, from the simplest scraps you can create real masterpieces that move away from everyday life to elegant beauty filled with special meaning. Create beauty in your home with ease, and don’t miss the opportunity to get a fresh dose of inspiration, which the WESTWING shopping club is always ready to kindly provide you with!