Patch Work

Patch work is a very interesting technique where patches or pieces of fabrics are stitched together to make a design. Patch work can be a simple combination of squares or may be a complex arrangements of different shapes. The procedure involves drafting a pattern, collecting materials, cutting and joining the blocks to create pieced fabrics. Interesting effects can be obtained by using different colored and textured fabrics. Using creativity lots of decorative designs can be made and used in wide varieties of different products. Banjara embroidery which is practiced by banjaras who are tribal people use lot of patch work in their products. 

Patch work sample

Materials Used

• Fabrics for patches
• Cardboard for the templates
• Thread and needles
• Scissor for cutting

Instructions on how to do Patchwork

1) The first step is to make a template of each piece in your patch work design.

2) Place it on the fabric and trace the design.

3) Before cutting leave some seam allowance on the fabric.

Design is drawn with seam allowance on three different fabrics as the design includes three fabrics

4) Cut each piece one at a time.

Cut pieces of fabrics

5) Join patch pieces by hand sewing. 

6) Do not stretch seam when you sew two bias edges together.

7) Finish the edges.

Image of the final design

Products where patch work is used

Patch work is used in wide variety of products like purses, kurtis, table cloths, bed covers, pillows, pillow covers, women's tops, wallets, sarees, children clothes, cushion covers, handicraft products, lamp shades, and wide variety of other products. 

Quilting Techniques

Quilting is a technique which involves sewing more layers of materials together to make a thick layer. Different beautiful patterns are used to sew them together giving decorative effects. It is also combined with other works such as patch work, applique work etc. Quilting is used to make wide varieties of products such as pillows, pillow covers, bed covers, wall hangings, table mats, clothing, cushion covers, etc. 

Quilted sample

Materials Required

• Fabric for the quilt top and for backing and edging for finishing
• If necessary underlining material. 

Instructions on how to do Quilting

1) Once your quilt top is completed the next step is choosing a quilting design that will enhance the quilt top. It is important that the design is compatible. 

2) Mark the design on the quilt top using a tailor's chalk. 

3) Then ensemble the materials you need to put the quilt together. 

4) Lay the backing on the floor, face down straight and with the corners square. Place the raised part and marked quilt top over the batting. Smooth it out and square the corners. 

5) Pin all the three layers together with running stitch, stitch in length wise and cross wise of the quilt. 

6) Then start quilting with machine or use running stitch if you are doing it by hand.

7) Finish the edges of the quilt with borders or by binding a fabric around the edges. Some fancy laces can also be used to finish the edges. Ruffles also give a different decorative effect to the edges. 

Braiding

Braiding is a special technique used for making rugs. The technique is similar to how you plait your hair. It is easy to do and the material requirement is also minimum. Different color fabrics, scissors, heavy thread, tailors chalk and needles are all that which is required for braiding. 

Image of a braided sample

Technique of doing Braiding

The amount of fabric needed depends on the size of the rug. 

1) Cut the fabric into three strips 2 to 4 inches wide depending on the desired thickness of the rug. Cut the fabric in straight grain to minimize stretching. 

2) Join the strips together and make a knot. Before knotting fold the strips into half lengthwise so that the raw edges meet at the centre. Then again fold the strip into half and role the strip. Finish it with invisible hem. 

Image showing how to fold the fabric strips

3) Braid by bringing the left strip over the middle strip. Then bring the right strip over the middle strip like how you plait hair. 

Image showing how to braid

4) This is repeated till the whole length. 

5)Shape the braided strip into rugs and lace them together. 


Rugs can be in circular form or in squares. Lacing is done using a strong thread and a carpet needle. 

Couching

Couching Technique

Lord Ganesha motif embroidered with couching stitches

Couching is a technique where one or more threads are laid along the surface of the fabric attached with a series of small stitches usually in a finer thread. This thread can be of the same color as that of the laid thread or contrast color thread can also be used for decorative effects. It is easy to do and is interesting too. Different interesting effects can be created by couching the thread using other type of embroidery such as Herring bone stitch, Blanket stitch, Cross stitch, Chain stitch etc. Couching is also sometimes used to hide the flaws in the fabric. You can also use your creativity to create different decorative patterns by using a different material instead of embroidery thread to anchor the laid thread. 

How to do Couching?

1) Work form right to left. Bring the laid thread to the front of the fabric and lay it along the motif to be embroidered. 

2) Thread a needle with the anchoring thread which can be of the same color as that of the laid thread or a different contrast color to get a different decorative effect. Insert the needle through the fabric and bring it to the front of the fabric. 

3) Do a stitch covering the laid thread bringing the anchoring thread just above the laid thread and bring it down below it. 

4) Continue this stitch evenly on the design over the laid thread. 

Very sharp corners can be achieved by cutting the laid thread at the corner and taking it at the back of the fabric. If two threads are being couched then finish the inner one first then the outer one. Circular effects and triangular effects can also be achieved by couching. Couching is also done using machine. 


Couching Stitches or Patterns

Types of Couching 


There are various types of couching such as 

• Laid Work
• Bokhara Couching
• Underside Couching 
• Roumanian Couching

Applications of Couching

Couching is used in variety of tapestry and home furnishing products. Sometimes it is also used for products like pillow covers, some antique purses, trims etc.