About Patchwork & Quilting
There are many step-by-step guides to getting started including Popular Patchwork’s very own Patchwork Made Easy and Patchwork Basics. The magazine also features a Quilter’s Secrets section in every issue giving tips and advice for beginners who are just getting started. You can choose from a variety of simple projects and famillarise yourself with some of the fascinating quilting history covered in PP’s regular feature articles.
The history of patchwork & quilting in the UK dates back to the early eighteenth century and fortunately a well preserved quilt dating back to 1718 is on display at the UK’s newly opened Quilt Museum in York. It is possible to trace the growth of patchwork abroad in the early colonial days through to the present day and patchwork and quilting is now immensely popular in the US and Australia. The principle behind the hobby is that fragments of material can be stitched together by hand or machine to create quilts and quilted items including handbags, table runners, wall hangings and even items of clothing. In the early days, pieced quilt tops needed more substance to stand up to daily use and old blankets or layers of fabric were used to as “wadding” to which a background fabric would be added. This became what we now call a “quilt sandwich” consisting of three layers. In order to anchor these together stitching was added to give a quilted effect which is why the word quilting is synonymous with patchwork.
10 things you need to know about patchwork & quilting:
- If you love fabric then this is the hobby for you
- You don’t need to be an expert seamstress - if your skills at stitching are a bit rusty then don’t panic. There are some great sewing machines on the market for beginners and practice makes perfect as they say
- It’s a great way to meet friends both at home and abroad
- Taking part in fund raising events, local competitions and even national events can be lots of fun
- There’s nothing more relaxing than spending a few creative hours working on a project
- You don’t need to spend lots of money. Generations before us recycled fabrics and didn’t have half the fancy gadgets that are on the market today
- There’s something extra special about snuggling up under a handmade quilt
- Once you’ve discovered patchwork and quilting, the sky is the limit when it comes to making gifts for friend and family
- Start small and work your way up to making a full size bed quilt. Cushion covers, handbags and wall hangings are just as much fun
Popular Patchwork is the UK’s essential quilting magazine, bringing this fascinating, colourful and creative world right to your doorstep every month. Keep an eye out for some of the great subscriptions offers including gifts of fabric and books.