Torn Patch Cushion

Contemporary patchwork pieces can be made from offcuts, or with specially chosen materials.  Ideally, patchwork has some thing from another thing which reminds you of it –  a dress perhaps, or shirts, as patchworks are traditionally the beautiful and practical  results of a waste-saving exercise. Traditional patchwork requires the fabrics need to be of similar type so that there is only one weight to manage and so that the complex pattern shows itself easily. However, this type patchwork is closer to sculpture in many ways, so different materials, textures and weights are good ! When the fabrics look good together, anything at all can be used – from summer stripes and calicoes to tweeds and suitings.

The proportions in the pattern work –  they are foolproof, yet they can be changed to whatever you choose. Because, with patchwork  it’s really all about what you can do with what you have….