Patchwork is a Wonderful Craft

Patchwork is a wonderful craft and the main ingredient to get started is plenty of enthusiasm, imagination and a bag full of rags. Patchwork is basically the imaginative use of different types of fabric and thread. There are no rules of what colours or types of fabric you can use. It is entirely up to you how you make your quilt and what types of fabric you wish to use.

There are many different patterns that quilters use, but you can use these as guidelines to make our own designs. This is the beauty of the craft - each completed quilt will be totally unique and will express your individual creativity.

Most sewers will have accumulated plenty of bits and pieces of fabric and various trimmings over the years. Very few crafters dispose of the scraps as they are usually put away in case they will come in handy later on.

Off cuts of lace and ribbon and any type of trimmings as well as odd buttons will also come in handy later on when you are creating quilts for babies and kiddies. If you are a beginner and do not have a "rag bag" then this will not pose as a problem as you will be able to get whatever you want from your local textile suppliers.

As you start patch working you will begin to collect scraps of fabric and you will always be looking out for fabric that will lend its self to patchwork when you visit your sewing suppliers.

For the appliqué work you will require scraps of fabric in various colours and fusible webbing and thread to match each colour to be appliquéd.

You will require a sewing machine to stitch your quilt together. This method is of course much faster and also stronger. If however, you do not have access to a sewing machine you can stitch the quilt together by hand. Just make sure that you use a good quality quilting thread to ensure that your stitches will pass the test of time.

The appliqué work can be done by sewing machine or if preferred by hand. The art of appliqué is easy to learn. It just requires practice.

You will require a sharp pair of cutting out scissors, appliqué scissors, a tape measure, pins, safety pins, quilting needles, embroidery needles if you wish to introduce embroidery stitches on your item, a ruler and water soluble fabric markers and two thimbles for quilting.

The type of thread you use is very important. You can understand that if you use an inferior quality thread the stitching on your quilt will not be long lasting. A good quality thread will ensure that your quilt will last for many years to come and become a precious heirloom for your children and grandchildren. Check your sewing specialist for thread that is specifically made for this purpose.

If you would like the receivers of your quilts to remember who made them, order custom made labels from your local fabric supplier which can be sewn onto the back of the quilt.