Many years ago my grandmother taught me to do what she called "English piecing" using paper templates to make quilts, cushion covers, and so on. She never in her life used an electric machine because her house was all gas! She refused to have electric lighting installed because she did not trust it.
She had an old fashioned treadle machine - which I learned to use as a child. However all the patchwork was done by hand with the paper templates. I remember that cutting them out to fit was quite a chore in itself. However with care they could be re-used for another project.
In later life I came across traditional Indian (as in South Asian) patchwork and fell in love with it. All those rich colours, brocades, beads and additions. I like the irregularity and novelty of the designs - so different from the discipline of English piecing. A wonderful way to use up really small bits of fabric that are too tiny and irregular to make into propert templates.
Do any of you do patchwork? Do you use a machine or hand sew? I have always preferred hand sewing as I feel it gives me more control.
