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Arts & crafts

Patchwork

(13 Posts)
watermeadow Fri 14-Feb-20 19:34:58

I’m nearing the end of a patchwork quilt, every stitch by hand. I started this one 18 months ago, straight after another one, so I’ve been sewing hexagons daily for a long time.
I’d like to start something different but everyone knows I do patchwork and gives me bits of fabric so I have a big stash.
I look at all these pretty fabrics and think I must use them so fear I’ll be doing patchwork forever.
Should I just carry on or resolutely start something different?

Callistemon Fri 14-Feb-20 19:40:05

No, try something new!

Do you have a sewing machine? Bunting?
Or rag wreaths, they sound awful but they can look very good and apparently shabby chic is popular.

midgey Fri 14-Feb-20 19:42:01

Well done you for getting to the end! I started one for my daughter’s eighteenth birthday, then for her graduation, marriage, first baby......then I threw it away as the cat was very poorly on top of it!

Chewbacca Fri 14-Feb-20 19:48:24

I've been doing a Log Cabin patchwork since I visited the Isle of Man 4 years ago. I've done 16 squares so far. Only another 54 to go. I'm a dreadful prevaricator.

Callistemon Fri 14-Feb-20 19:48:41

Yes, well done!
Even machine patchwork is beyond me at the moment.

PenelopePitstop Tue 10-Mar-20 21:56:28

There’s someone called Donna Jordan on YouTube who does brilliant instructional videos on quilt making. Mostly by machine. Lots of free patterns & tips too.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=uvKq7bxaPFk

Callistemon Tue 10-Mar-20 22:05:47

Thanks Penelope

Doodle Tue 10-Mar-20 22:20:01

baggs makes beautiful wall hangings with pieces of fabric. You could try making some pictures.

Farmor15 Wed 11-Mar-20 05:49:46

Rag rugging to make cushions or pictures is good fun and uses up fabric scraps. I just finished a cushion for granddaughter. There are different techniques, but this type gives a kind of tapestry effect.

vegansrock Wed 11-Mar-20 07:41:48

www.quiltville.com/index.html
This is a good site which an American lady posts lots of patterns and ideas for using up random scraps. Some of the ideas are really quick and easy and done on machine, not by hand. I’ve been making little quilts for Battersea dogs and cats using up all sorts of leftover bits, old shirts etc. You can make one in a couple of afternoons so ideal for when self isolating!

Dancinjay Wed 11-Mar-20 07:49:56

I'm addicted to Luna Lapin by Cool Crafting. Purchase one of the books and you can use up your stash. I stitch everything by hand even though a machine is suggested for the clothes. I have a veritable zoo!

Allegretto Wed 11-Mar-20 07:55:07

Watermeadow, would you post a picture of your quilt? I would love to see it.

Nannarose Wed 11-Mar-20 08:35:35

I'm with Farmor - rag rugging is great. And Farmor, that is lovely!
I have seen one done by a girl who had just left school, with the worn out bits of her uniform, with the school's logo as her pattern.
Another thing to try with patchwork is using different pattern blocks, and to make cushions (these can be nice gifts) so you don't get stuck making too many of the same blocks.
Some of my favourite cushions have been made using 'crazy' patchwork. This is what I was taught by my grandmother. You simply spread out random bits of fabric, different sizes and shapes, move about until you like the effect. Then turn under a very narrow hem and join using feather stitch, or other embroidery stitches. I had never seen a blocked patchwork quit until I was an adult.
I have also made pan holders with blocks that I'm a bit unhappy with - you don't look at them closely enough to see mistakes, and they are cheerful in the kitchen.