| At present, patchwork fabrics are sold in different | | | | can also keep a memento of the important |
| colors and patterns since many people are into | | | | events in your life by making a design out of the |
| patchwork and quilting, which can now be | | | | fabrics used for special occasions like your |
| considered as art. Patchwork can even be seen in | | | | wedding day, the old scarf that your mom made |
| museums as well as private collections. But do | | | | for you last Christmas, and so on. |
| you know that patchwork has served a useful | | | | Moreover, there are different ways of putting |
| role in history? | | | | together your pieces of fabric and one of the |
| Patchwork is basically sewing together pieces of | | | | most common is patchwork blocks. As the term |
| cloth or fabric and it was particularly useful during | | | | implies, it is more systematic. Basically, squares of |
| those really hard times and people needed to be | | | | a fabric are sewn together, thus creating patterns |
| resourceful. What people did was sew together | | | | within the square or block. These blocks can |
| pieces and scraps of cloth, the finished product of | | | | either repeat the pattern or they can have |
| which was a larger material that can be used for | | | | varying patterns. On the other hand, there is this |
| practical needs. | | | | crazy quilt and it is safe to say that it is more fun |
| However, patchwork and quilting have evolved to | | | | to do and to look at. In this case, random shapes |
| become a hobby and an art form and it is not | | | | are put together so anything goes which is |
| just considered as a practical way of making use | | | | perfect for lovers of randomness and |
| of our old and worn clothes or pieces of fabric. | | | | asymmetry. |
| This evolution was particularly seen during the | | | | Is patchwork and quilting a solitary hobby? Well, |
| twentieth century. As technology has also | | | | not necessarily. People who are into the hobby |
| evolved and has become more sophisticated at | | | | can actually come together and form their own |
| the turn of the 20th century, the method of | | | | community where they can share ideas, patterns |
| piecing together fabrics have also improved. | | | | and designs and work together. Getting people |
| There is now this so-called Longarm quilting | | | | who are fond of quilting together is now even |
| system, which is composed of a frame and a | | | | made easier with the help of the World Wide |
| sewing machine. | | | | Web. There are many avenues for this, just like |
| Today, there is a wide array of colors and prints | | | | forums and groups in social networking sites. |
| to choose from and this fact may not make | | | | Thus, you can choose to work alone or share |
| choosing the right fabric any easier. This wide | | | | stuff with other people. |
| availability would also mean that you can be more | | | | Apparently, patchwork and quilting are no longer |
| imaginative and creative with your style. Of | | | | limited to being coping mechanisms during rough |
| course, just because different fabrics for | | | | times. They have become leisure activities that |
| patchwork are now widely available does not | | | | anyone can enjoy. They have become art forms |
| mean that you cannot be resourceful. Leftover | | | | where you can channel your creative juices in. |
| fabrics from the previous patterns that you have | | | | Isn’t it great that you get the chance to be |
| made can be used to make a new pattern. This is | | | | resourceful, practical, and creative all at the same |
| where your creativity will be tested and it can | | | | time? Indeed, it is one hobby that proves that |
| really be fun. You can come up with a design that | | | | you can have fun and be productive all at once. |
| is unique and that reflects your personality. You | | | | |