I told you in my 2024 resolutions that I was going to continue training and well, I did!
Not only did I continue training in Japanese sashiko embroidery but I also devoted a lot of time to patchwork!
It had been a long time since it intrigued me because my mom did quite a bit of it when I was a child. I even found designs that I colored for her.
In short, my immersion in patchwork is not recent but I hadn’t yet taken the time to dive deeply into the theory, history, materials, equipment... and I took advantage of 2024 to fully commit!
So, let me tell you about my dive into the incredible world of patchwork!
This way!
1. Grasp the theoretical concepts
When I am in a learning phase, I tend to dive deeply into the subject and look for the reasons behind the development of the textile art studied. We never skip theory in the workshop because it is really essential for us to provide validated teaching.
I focused on the prejudices that anyone can have about this textile art:
- Why is it said that patchwork comes from America?
- Why are geometric patterns used?
- Why is it said that "real" patchwork must be done by hand?
- What methods are used to create the patterns?
- And the colors, are they important?
- Is it a fading art or rather trendy through upcycling?
So many questions came to mind when I started learning... and just as many preconceived ideas that had to be deconstructed! Sometimes I had to form my own opinion when I couldn't find a satisfactory answer in the many reference books I consulted! My mom even lent me her courses and books. I had plenty to keep me busy in the evenings!
I also immersed myself in the specific vocabulary of patchwork: top, block, quilt,...
On the other hand, I also wanted to refresh certain concepts and offer patchwork teaching that takes into account our modern constraints but also the technological possibilities we have today.
The idea was to keep the very essence of patchwork (guarantee its authenticity and traditions) while benefiting from modern materials and the execution conveniences of the 21st century.
2. The first practical trials
First of all, I had to equip myself! As a good seamstress, I had my pair of fabric scissors but in patchwork, a rotary cutter, a transparent and thick patchwork ruler, and a cutting mat are preferred. So I carefully read how to safely use this new tool and especially how to cut my pieces precisely.
After a few trials, I had understood the main principles and basic rules to be precise, and above all to avoid injury: safety rule first!
Then, I started the first trials and I recommend small projects. Starting with a two-person quilt is rarely a good idea even if it is tempting 😂.
First of all because you have to tame:
- the materials
- cutting
- sewing
- ironing methods
and above all a good dose of patience and precision because the seams do not forgive!
3. Projects
After practicing and completing a few small projects, I needed to find a nice, easy, and satisfying project for our introductory course.
It was just as important to me that a beginner as well as an advanced sewer could find their place and happiness in the introduction to patchwork. So I chose a project that can be adapted into several pieces.
The most beginners will be able to make a complete piece and the more advanced who wish can make several pieces/patterns and even assemble them together to make the project more complex.
Since I like sewing and the projects we do for the courses to be useful, after careful thought, II decided to redo the covers of my living room cushions, the very ones that were part of my first sewing projects! These covers had been well used and were really starting to wear out especially since Gala - our mascot - loves them a lot and doesn't hesitate to sharpen her claws on them from time to time! Anyway, it was time to honor them and change them; so it was a doubly useful project!
Plus, since there are several cushions, it's an opportunity to work on several patterns, several scales,... In short, I knew I was going to love this work!
I must say I had a lot of fun playing with geometry and changing scales to create large and smaller patterns.
All I had left to do was compile the theoretical concepts I wanted to cover in my initiation course and especially make them digestible and educational 😊. For those who teach courses, you know that moment of grace when you have found the course path; the way that links concept and applications.
Anyway, I am really happy with the design of this course which took me a year to build.
4. From initiation to more complex projects
And yes, it's great to do the initiation but then what do we do 😅.
Don't worry, I'm on the subject because as I said earlier, patchwork offers a limitless creative universe and you know that I myself have trouble containing my creative flame! So the combination is explosive 😂.
I feast my eyes on Instagram on creators more talented than each other and it gives me so many ideas.
I already have several projects in progress and dates will soon be announced with courses proposals for those who have done the initiation and the more advanced in patchwork.
In the meantime, there are still a few spots left for the initiation on Saturday and I have added daytime dates for those who can free themselves 😊
Today will be the first courses and I hope my students will enjoy discovering this new textile art as much as I do.
Come on, all that's left to do is go for it!
Get your needles ready!
