Patchwork - Building Fabric, Sculpting Clothes

Boro Textile from Japan (c) SRI Thread

Artists, seamstresses and quilters alike are fascinated with the process of patchwork and so am I. So here's a patchwork post. A post of tiny thoughts, some recycled, some found, sewn together without a plan. Let's see where it goes.

Patchwork is not a necessity these days, however it never seems to lose its appeal. What's fascinating to me, is building a piece of fabric using many scraps. It's rewarding and empowering to create something from odds and ends or disparate pieces. My brain seems to work this way too.

Gibbous Fashions works this way without using sewing patterns. The designers "build" their garments, so the work is comparable to sculpting. Based in Portland Oregon, it's a self described "miniature fashion house". All of their creations are one of a kind using vintage and Victorian clothes, lace and other bits and pieces many found or donated. And while many of their garments are very steam punk, and bit over the top, their online stitch gallery is quite interesting.

(c) Gibbous Fashions

But when I think of patchwork, quilts are usually the first thing on my mind. I love them old, hand sewn and tattered reflecting the times when creating them was a necessity and resources were limited. Today, patchwork often involves buying yards of pretty fabric to cut up, all just to sew them back together again. And to me, that seems a bit, erhhh, neurotic unless there is a strong artistic expression, a story or brilliant idea behind it.

On the left: Made by China Pettway, born 1952, blocks, corduroy and cotton hopsacking, ca. 1975, 83 x 70 inches

On the right: Annie Mae Young, born 1928. Work-clothes quilt with center medallion of corduroy strips, 1976. Denim, corduroy, synthetic blend, 108 x 77 inches

The image above pictures two quilts from the now famous Gee's Bend quilts. Their work is breathtaking and has made its way into museums and galleries everywhere. Never has the idea of art in everyday life looked more beautiful. Read more about their fascinating story here.

Of course, talking quilts, I have to mention Alabama Chanin who takes inspiration from quilting and textile history in her home state of Alabama. Pictured above are her rescued quilts, with t-shirt appliques and stitched stories.  There is nothing Nathalie Chanin can't do, it seems, from couture, to cooking, to home accessories. And everything is hand-sewn.

And this is one of my favorite patchwork techniques, which makes the fabric reversible: Pojagis. The one pictured above was made by Jung Yul Park. See how the light enhances the beauty of the fabric. 

Patchworks take time, and this chain of thoughts is just beginning. There are so many more quilters, artists and designer worth mentioning, but here's only one more for today: Liane from enhabiten. Using vintage materials, quilts and army bags she transforms and patchworks them into anything from pin cushions, crazy quilt bunting and pillows.

(c) enhabiten

Some of my favorites are her inside out pillows where she chooses the "wrong" side of a rescued crazy quilt to display the subtle stitching. That is really brilliant. Go visit her lovely store and blog. I'm sure you'll find something for the holiday season.

But first Thanksgiving is approaching, my favorite holiday. I'm already obsessed with trying recipes for cornbread. Cornbread is not part of the German diet, but I love the idea of stew and cornbread. 

And since cornbread is the off-key piece in this patchwork post, I'm going to leave it here and gather more pieces (and bake some cornbread).