Many beginners, faced with the remains of fabrics after major projects, wonder: how to sew sew from sewing, so that valuable centimeters of material do not disappear? Actually, patchwork This is not just a way of recycling, but a full-fledged direction in textile art, allowing you to create unique things with character. Even the smallest pieces of fabric can become the basis for a patchwork blanket, decorative pillow or stylish shopping bag.
Before starting work, it is necessary to conduct an inventory audit and sort the flaps by color, texture and size. It seems like a simple action, but it is the right sorting that avoids chaos during the assembly process and helps you find the right part faster. It is important to understand that synthetic It is better not to mix natural fabrics in one product, as they behave differently when washing and wearing.
So, if you are ready to turn piles of pruning into something beautiful, let’s break down the main stages of creating products from sewing residues. This process requires patience, but the result is worth it, because every thing created with your own hands keeps the heat of the master.
Preparation of materials and tools
Quality results are impossible without proper preparation of the workplace and tools. To work with small parts that often remain after cutting the main products, you will need not only a sewing machine, but also hand tools. Pay special attention to the condition of the needles: a dulled needle can spoil the fabric, leaving puffs or skipping stitches.
You will need the following set:
- 🧵 Sharp scissors for cutting fabric and small scissors for cutting threads
- 📏 Portnovo meter and transparent line for accurate measurements
- ✂️ Flower for accurate removal of errors and old seams
- 🪡 Pins with colored heads for fixing details
Special attention should be paid to the preparation of the flaps themselves. Before sewing any thing from sewing, fabric is necessary. pitch - to wash and iron. This will prevent the finished product from shrinking after the first wash, which is especially critical for natural materials such as cotton or linen. If you miss this stage, the finished product can skew.
Use a starch spray to starch thin or slippery flaps before opening - this will make the fabric denser and more comfortable to work with.
Choosing an idea and drawing up a sketch
When the materials are prepared, it is time for creative search. Do not stitch pieces randomly in the hope of luck; it is better to think through the composition in advance. You can choose a classic technique. patchworkwhere flaps are folded into geometric patterns, or a looser style krazy-quiltallowing the use of fabrics of different shapes and textures.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to connect fabrics with radically different density (for example, chiffon and jeans) without the use of seals, otherwise the product will look sloppy and quickly deform.
To begin with, draw a sketch on paper into a cage or use special computer programs for quilting. This will help visualize color combinations and see if you have enough material of a certain shade. It often happens that in the process of assembly is missing one specific color, and you have to urgently look for a replacement.
Consider the table of popular techniques for working with small residues:
| Techniques | Description | Difficulty | Perfect for |
|---|---|---|---|
| krazy-quilt | Chaotic connection of flaps of different shapes | Low. | Decorative panels, pillows |
| Patchwork. | Cross-linking of geometric shapes according to the scheme | Medium | Blankets, bags, pickups. |
| Application | Making figures on the basis | Medium | Clothes, baby clothes |
| Yo-yo | Assembly of round flaps into flowers | Tall. | Jewelry, accessories |
Having decided on the technique, collect all the necessary flaps in one pile. This will allow you to immediately evaluate the overall color range of the future product. If you plan to sew something for the interior, make sure that the colors will harmonize with the surroundings.
Technology of opening and assembly of blocks
The process of cutting depends on the chosen technique. In the classic patchwork, a system of blocks is used - square or rectangular sections, which are then sewn into strips, and stripes - into a single cloth. For accuracy, use a special carpet-mat and roller knife, which significantly speeds up the process and increases the accuracy of slices.
☑️ Pre-assembly check
When stitching parts, it is important to observe the suture tolerances, usually they are 0.75-1 cm. If you use a sewing machine, install a quilting paw or patchwork that has a special guide edge. This will help keep the line of the seam perfectly smooth. Manual assembly is also possible, especially for complex or small parts, but takes longer.
During the assembly of blocks, monitor the direction of the shared thread. All parts in one block should be oriented equally relative to the shared threadTo avoid distortion of the product during operation. Ignoring this rule can cause the finished blanket or bag to “go away” to the side.
After connecting the two parts, the seams must be tightened. Usually the seam is sealed on the dark side so that it does not shine through on the light fabric. However, in complex patterns, the seams can be stretched or tightened in different directions to reduce the thickness of the joints.
Edge treatment and layering
When the main cloth is assembled from individual blocks, the edging stage comes. The edges of the product must be treated so that they do not crumble and look aesthetically pleasing. For this purpose, a oblique baking is used, which can be bought ready-made or carved independently from the remnants of a contrasting fabric or in a tone of color.
If you sew a multi-layered product, such as a blanket or bag, you will need to lay a layer of insulation or sealer. As a filler, syntepon, hollofiber or special thin batting for quilting are often used. The layers are broken down with pins throughout the area so that they do not shift during the zip-up process.
How to choose the thickness of the filler?
For summer blankets and lightweight bags, use a thin syntepon (100-150 g/m2). For winter things and dense accessories, a layer of 200-300 g / m2 is suitable. Too thick filler is difficult to zip on a household car.
Fasting is the process of stitching all layers of the product through. This not only holds the layers together, but also creates a decorative relief. You can zip the product at the seams of the connection of flaps or choose an arbitrary pattern. The machine line should be smooth, without tension of the fabric.
⚠️ Warning: When zip-proofing large products, maintain the weight of the fabric on both sides of the needle to avoid breaking the needle or shifting the layers.
Final finishing and decoration
The final stage is the addition of decorative elements that will give the product its individuality. It can be embroidery, application, buttons, braid or lace. Decoration allows you to hide the small flaws of the assembly and make the thing truly unique.
For bags and accessories, fittings are often used: lightning, carbines, rings. When installing lightning in a patchwork product, it is important to be careful that the teeth do not damage the fabric. It is best to sew a lightning bolt between two layers of fabric or use a special invisibility paw.
Don't forget the author's label. Many craftsmen sew a small fabric label with a signature or logo on the inside of the product. It is a good tone in the world of needlework and a way to claim your authorship. In addition, the label can indicate recommendations for the care of the thing.
Quality final finish turns a simple assemblage of flaps into a designer product, increasing its value and service life.
Care of patchwork products
To create a thing that pleases you for a long time, you need to take care of it properly. Flaps, especially if they contain different types of fabrics, require delicate washing. The optimal water temperature is 30-40 degrees, the mode of "delicate washing" or "hand washing".
Use liquid gels for washing, they are better rinsed from dense seams than powders. Press the product in a centrifuge should be at minimum speeds, so as not to damage the structure of the seams and not deform the filler. It is better to dry such things in a straightened form, away from direct sunlight and heating devices.
The ironing also has its own characteristics. Iron patchwork should be from the back side through the taut (wet gauze or fabric), using the steam mode. This will help to straighten all the small folds and give the product a neat look. Regular care will preserve the brightness of the colors and the shape of your work.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use old jeans for a patchwork?
Yes, denim fabric is a great material for patchwork. It's solid and holds its shape well. However, remember that jeans can shed, so be sure to wash old things before opening. It is better to combine denim with cotton of similar density.
How long do the flaps need to be in order to be used?
Technically, you can use pieces of any size, even 2x2 cm, but for beginners it is more convenient to work with parts of at least 5x5 cm. For the technique of crazy-quilts, there are practically no size restrictions, the main thing is to successfully assemble them on the basis.
Do I need to process the cuts of flaps before stitching?
In a classic patchwork, slices are not processed, as they hide inside the seam. Only the outer edge of the finished product is processed. If you use loose fabrics for application or decorative elements on the surface, the cuts can be scorched or treated with a zigzag seam.
Which needle to choose for sewing a patchwork blanket?
Needles No. 75-90 are suitable for connecting cotton flaps. If you are zipping a multi-layer product with a dense filler, it is better to take a needle No. 90-100 with a rounded tip (for knitwear or quilting), so that it does not pierce the threads of the lower layers, but expands them.
What to do if the flaps are different thicknesses?
If the difference in thickness is insignificant, this can be compensated by the correct choice of filler. If you combine, for example, thin cotton and a dense coat fabric, such combinations are better used in decorative panels that will not be subjected to active use and washing.