I announced in my 2024 resolutions that I would continue to train myself, and well, I did!

Not only did I continue to train 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 used to do quite a bit when I was a child. I even found designs I used to color 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, and tools... and I took advantage of 2024 to fully commit!

So, let me tell you about my dive into the incredible world of patchwork!

Right this way!

1. Mastering theoretical concepts

When I’m in a learning phase, I tend to fully immerse myself in the subject and look for the reasons behind the development of the textile art studied. We never skip theory in the workshop because it’s really essential for us to provide validated teaching.

I focused on the preconceived ideas that anyone might have about this textile art:
- Why is patchwork said to come from America?
- Why are geometric patterns used?
- Why is it said that the "real" patchwork must be done by hand?
- What methods are used to create the patterns?
- And the colors, are they important?
- Is it an aging art or rather trendy through upcycling?

So many questions came to mind when I started learning... and so many preconceived notions had to be deconstructed! Sometimes I had to form my own opinion when I couldn’t find a satisfying 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,...

Moreover, I 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 (guaranteeing its authenticity and traditions) while benefiting from modern tools and the ease of execution 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 tries, I understood the main principles and basic rules to be precise, and above all, not to hurt myself: safety first!

Then, I started the first trials, and I recommend small projects. Starting with a double bed quilt is rarely a good idea, even if it’s tempting 😂.

First because you need to get used to:
- the tools
- cutting
- sewing
- ironing methods

and especially a good dose of patience and precision because seams don’t 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 also important for me that both beginners and advanced sewers could find their place and joy in the patchwork introduction. So I chose a project that can be adapted into several pieces.

The most beginner students can complete a full 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 courses to be useful, after careful thought, I decided to remake 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 and doesn’t hesitate to sharpen her claws on them from time to time!

In short, it was time to honor them and replace 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 that was left was to compile the theoretical concepts I wanted to cover in my introductory course and especially to make them digestible and educational 😊. For those who teach courses, you know that moment of grace when you find the course’s path; the way that links concept and application.

In short, I’m really happy with the design of this course, which took me a year to build.

4. From introduction to more complex projects

Yes, it’s great to complete the introduction, but then what do we do next? 😅

Don’t worry, I’m working on it because, as I said earlier, patchwork offers a limitless creative universe, and you know I myself have trouble containing my creative flame! So the combination is explosive 😂.

I feast my eyes on Instagram on creators more talented than one another, and it gives me so many ideas.

I already have several projects underway, and dates will soon be announced with course proposals for those who have done the introduction and for more advanced patchworkers.

In the meantime, there are still a few spots left for the introduction on Saturday, and I’ve added daytime dates for those who can free themselves 😊

Today will be the first course, and I hope my students will enjoy discovering this new textile art as much as I do.

Come on, let’s get started!

Grab your needles!