DIY Patchwork Rugs: How to Machine Sew a Carpet and Patchwork Pillows

The art of patchwork has been known for quite a long time. It was used by our great-grandmothers, making patchwork blankets, tablecloths, rugs and other items that had a practical purpose and decorated the home. Long forgotten, today the patchwork technique is experiencing a rebirth and is becoming increasingly popular. Interesting interior items can be created from fabric scraps.

What are patchwork products?

Although many claim that patchwork originated only in the 18th century in England, the history of Rus' proves that patchwork products were used here even earlier. Homespun clothes, which the inhabitants of the country wore from ancient times, were expensive, so they were passed down to younger children from older ones, and the fabric of the mother's dress was used to swaddle newborns.

patchwork rugs — Hand-made rugs have every chance of becoming a real work of art and a highlight of the house.

A patchwork item is a complex fabric construction, usually made of chintz or linen; before sewing, the fabrics need to be washed and ironed to avoid shrinkage. It would be a good idea to take into account some nuances that will help you learn the secrets of the craft.

patchwork rug photo — They can be used to decorate the interior of a city apartment and give it a touch of rustic coziness.

What tools will you need?

Nothing unusual is required to work with pieces of fabric. It is enough to prepare:

needles of different sizes, pins, multi-colored threads;
tailor's chalk or a piece of soap for marking;
pins and thimble;
rulers and colored pencils;
gasket materials;
templates and patterns.

patchwork carpet — Even in the times of Ancient Egypt, people began to create from scraps.

How to create a pattern

It is impossible to create an ornament without preparing a template and constructing a pattern. You can start when you clearly imagine the chosen pattern. For it, pieces of fabric are prepared that are close in size and shape.

To create a template, you need paper; each detail is placed on it, indicating the dimensions and taking into account seam allowances. To avoid confusion, they can be numbered.

Attention! It is necessary to make two versions of the same template: one with allowances, the other without them.

The pattern is laid out and basted according to the prepared patterns. It is sewn first along the large contour, and then along the smaller, inner contour. A zigzag stitch is convenient for this.

Then both contours are cut out and placed on the back side: first the smaller one, and then the larger one.

To extend the life of the product and give it an aesthetic appearance, a lining material is used between the top and bottom layers.

Patchwork is used to make pillows, blankets, tablecloths, bed linen, napkins, rugs, and designer wall hangings.

patchwork carpet panel — The creation of all kinds of carpets is one of the most popular applications of this craft.

Variety of patchwork techniques

Multi-colored joyful products have many design options, which gives them uniqueness and a special flavor, including ethnicity.

patchwork path — Patchwork provides needlewomen with incredible scope for creativity.

Classical

It is considered the most common and accessible at the initial stage of training. Studying the patterns made for beginner craftswomen will also help.

The easiest way to start is by making potholders, but you can also make more complex things, such as a DIY patchwork rug.

Square in a square

Most people believe that this type of patchwork, like the classics, is suitable for beginners.

patchwork square in square — Using this method, you can sew a small rug from multi-colored stripes using the patchwork technique.

To do this you need:

take fabrics of two colors, cut into strips, sew and iron;
cut out a piece from a material of a different color, the size of which corresponds to the width of the two-color strip;
both elements are sewn together in the form of a sleeve, with the right sides facing each other;
The "sleeve" is cut into squares, from which any composition can be assembled.

Russian square

Here, the square piece is placed in the center, and triangles are sewn to it with the right side facing inward. It is worth noting that previously, the Russian square was assembled only by hand, and the pieces were attached "overlapping", which gave the product volume.

American square

In the scheme of this variant, the main figure is placed in the center, around which rectangles of different lengths but the same width are placed. The technique allows you to sew rugs, curtains, pillows and pillowcases on them on a sewing machine or by hand.

Triangles

The use of geometric shapes is widely used in patchwork sewing. Triangles can be used to create many original patterns and ornaments.

Dresden plate

A very interesting pattern, more like an open chamomile flower. It is noteworthy that the shape of the petals can be different: with rounded, pointed, triangular edges. A pillow made of patches using a pattern looks impressive in this technique.

A circle of the selected diameter is drawn on a sheet of paper or cardboard.
In its center, draw another circle of a smaller size, which will be the center of the flower.
The petals will be attached to it. Their width directly depends on the number of elements. Usually the circle is divided into 16 equal parts, on the tops of which an octagon is drawn.
A template is also drawn for the petals. The petals are cut out according to it with an allowance for seams.
Each one is folded along the grain and stitched along the top edge, after which it needs to be turned right side out and the corner ironed, and then sewn to the center, connecting all the parts to each other.

Chrysanthemum petals

This mosaic is only for those who already have good patchwork skills. To make it, you will need square pieces of fabric that are folded in several layers. The flower can have 12 or 16 petals with pointed edges. It is better to take thin calico, silk or viscose for it.

chrysanthemum patchwork blanket — Some craftswomen believe that wide silk ribbons look very impressive.

Mill

For the Mill ornament, you need fabric in contrasting colors. It consists of eight triangular elements - four of each color. Initially, two triangles are sewn together, alternating colors. All the parts, connected together, form a strip. The result should be two such blanks, which are sewn from the center.

Crazy

The name itself implies that no rules or canons are followed here. Therefore, the parts can be of different shapes.

Patchwork pillows in the style of patchwork attract attention - crazy, decorated with beads, sequins, beads, lace, ribbons. They look original with large unusually shaped buttons, various metal fittings.

Crazy is used for sewing bedspreads, blankets, clothing items and accessories, and making decorative panels.

crazy patchwork pattern — To create compositions, you don’t need to prepare a special template: the special feature is in the freedom of creativity.

Here, not only a variety of shapes, but also materials and colors is appropriate.

DIY Patchwork Pillow: Master Class

Among the most popular products made in various types of patchwork techniques, pillows have remained for many years: large and small, made in various types of techniques, but always beautiful and eye-catching.

patchwork pillows — To decide on the palette and other attributes, it is very important to imagine in advance where our brainchild will “settle”.

Many beginning craftswomen believe that making a patchwork pillow is difficult, but if you master even small skills, with a certain amount of effort and patience, it will turn out that it can be made quite simply.

Necessary materials

To work you will need:

fabric for the base and for making the ornament;
measuring and writing instruments;
scissors;
sewing machine (if you don’t have one, all the work can be done by hand).

pillows patchwork photo — For a classic living room, perhaps a “mosaic” of plain patches of different shades would be better suited.

Procedure:

To sew, you will need fabric cut into squares of the chosen size. There should be an equal amount of the main and additional colors. Usually, they are cut into 64 pieces, then folded with the right sides inward and stitched on a machine.

For the pillow you will need four blocks, each of which will have 16 squares.

When they are ready, they are joined by stitching.

If the product is one-sided, the back is made smooth, from a single piece of fabric.

For a double-sided product, you will need another 64 elements, which are connected in the same way as on the front side.

pillows patchwork ideas — In a modern interior, this will look amazing, especially if it is youthful or kitschy.

You can start with a square or rectangular pillow made from multi-colored stripes.

You can fill the pillow with holofiber, foam rubber or other filling, at your discretion.

How to make patchwork rugs with your own hands

The rug has not only a purely practical purpose, but can also be used as an interior element. It makes the room cozier and more elegant. In addition, each such product is unique.

denim patchwork rug — It won't cost you much to make it, and even old things will do for sewing it, from which you can cut out the necessary elements.

Patchwork Rugs: Choosing Materials

If the rug is to be laid on the floor, it will be necessary to select fabrics that are highly durable; this could be:

burlap type material;
linen fabric;
raincoat fabric

patchwork rug in interior — Remember: there should not be too many of these types of works in the room.

If you plan to lay it in the hallway. In addition, it should not stretch, but wash well.

If a patchwork rug is to be laid in a bedroom or a nursery, on the contrary, it should be soft.

Technology of making a patchwork rug

The process of making a patchwork carpet is as follows:

elements of the selected shape and size are prepared;
are placed according to the template;
the prepared parts are first connected by sweeping;
If no adjustments are required, or after they have been made, the parts are sewn together using a sewing machine.
the reverse side of the base is designed.

patchwork rug for home — Carefully made and skillfully applied, patchwork rugs will be a source of pride for you.

Important! After completing all the work, the finished patchwork rug must be washed.

Patchwork is an interesting technique for making various items. Having mastered it, a home craftswoman will make her home elegant and more comfortable. In addition, it is an original gift.