History of Patchwork Techniques

Posted on 12 jun 2008

Of late years more and more often colorful patchwork quilts, wall hangings etc can be seen at exhibitions of decorative and applied arts. This fashionable trend of arts and crafts is divided into two streams by different techniques of performance: patchy mosaic (quilt manufactured from pieces of fabrics without visible seams on the right side) and application (stitching of scraps on the material of one tone).

Both these trends have been known since ancient times. Archaeologists were finding the applications made three thousand years ago. However, patchwork started to be featured as a separate trend of decorative art only in the first half of the XVIII century in England. Beginning with the XVI century Indian cotton fabrics of beautiful colors and design were started to be imported into this country. It was regarded as the sign of prosperity to have an Indian quilt decorated with embroidery or printed designs in one’s household. There appeared replicas also – the quilts made of Indian cotton fabrics, but manufactured on English Manufactories. In 1721 the Government of England issued an act on preservation and development of wool and silk manufactures prohibiting selling of calico and its goods, manufactured in India. It became very scarce and expensive. And economical housewives, cutting out the clothes from expensive calico, began to use its remainders for the other articles. Bright elements of the design were suited for applications: they were stitched on woolen and linen canvases. And small patches of colourful fabrics created an entire mosaic canvas. This type of needlework migrated to America with settlers, and richly decorated patchwork quilt became a compulsory element of traditional American homes.

Unique samples of patchwork designs are collected in London, Ohio, Heidelberg, Zurich museums. As a rule the name of the creator rarely was famous. In memory only the names of the work were kept, which were given by art critics already.

”Diamond” quilt was created in about 1925, in Pennsylvania. There in black square measuring 2 х2 the smaller box of bonnie blue color with bright pink and purple accents by the corners is inscribed. Inside it is situated at an angle another square framed with black. Repeatedly used the frameworks and accentuated angles form extremely expressive combination that truly reminds a diamond.

”Solitary Star” is the masterpiece of the turn of XIX-XX centuries. In the canvas an attempt to reflect the effect of moving light, in motion via the set of cotton diamond-shaped patches was undertaken. It turned out well. It is hard to believe that is done only with the help of scissors, needles, iron.

”Mexican Rose” is a wonderful design of the patchwork quilt. The warm tone of initial materials contrasts with hard, sharp shapes of outer corners, skillfully accentuated with black. This form of relative, it’s simple for reproduction.