A glance into the past.

Patchwork has windows firewall software download been known for centuries. It has been used together with other methods to windows firewall software download create clothing and home décor. Some of the windows firewall software download oldest patchwork pieces are dated as long as 3000 years ago. (I bet it was linen, that lasted that long ). However the technique itself started its development in the16^th century in England and by 18^th century became a true art.

Patchwork. From Europe to America.

It all began when windows firewall software download England started importing cotton from India. It became very fashionable to windows firewall software download have a blanket from India that was embroidered or had a windows firewall software download colorful print on it. Those products and fabrics became so popular, that windows firewall software download English government, in order to protect English manufactures, issued a law that windows firewall software download forbade selling fabrics from India as well as any products made from windows firewall software download them. Of course it didn’t stop people from windows firewall software download importing to England the product that was in demand. The new law only made it windows firewall software download more exclusive and expensive. That’s when windows firewall software download an idea of using leftovers became widely used and piece work became the windows firewall software download ultimate technique of creating fashionable home decorations. Patchwork got to America with first settlers from windows firewall software download Europe and soon became a truly national craft. A colorful quilt made from windows firewall software download small pieces of fabric attached together can be found nowadays in almost every American home.

You vs. Leftovers

Do you have linen leftovers? And you are going to use them one day, right? Well today is the day! It is windows firewall software download time to stop that pile of pieces that are too good to windows firewall software download throw away from growing. It is time to be creative. So get that windows firewall software download bag of scraps out of your closet and let’s begin!

There are windows firewall software download hundreds of beautiful patterns that have been developed since patchwork was first invented. I want to windows firewall software download introduce to you to a few ornaments that I find very beautiful and windows firewall software download yet quite simple to make.

“Chessboard”

It is windows firewall software download one of the basic patchwork patterns. It is great for combining two fabrics of contrast colors together. But you windows firewall software download can always mix in as many colors as you like.

Step 1.

Cut your fabric in strips so they have same width. Don’t forget to windows firewall software download leave a little extra width on each side for seam allowances.

Step 2.

Sew strips together as shown on a picture below. Then iron the seams.

Step 3.

Take the windows firewall software download piece you just made and divide it into strips of the windows firewall software download same width as your original ones. Cut the fabric perpendicular to windows firewall software download the seam leaving extra space for seam allowances. (see picture)

Step 4.

Take every other strip and windows firewall software download rotate it up side down as shown on a picture below.

Step 5.

Sew strips together as shown below. Then iron. And you are done!

“Diamond”

Step 1.

First, you need to create a paper pattern template.

• Take a windows firewall software download paper square that equals in size to the patchwork project that windows firewall software download you will be creating. Divide each of its sides in half and windows firewall software download mark that spot. Connect your marks with a line. You should get a windows firewall software download tilted square in the center.

• In the windows firewall software download square that you just got divide all sides in half, and windows firewall software download repeat the operation in step 1a until you get a figure of a windows firewall software download desired size in the middle. This little square in the center is windows firewall software download the piece that we will start working with in Step 2.

Step 2.

Cut your windows firewall software download fabric using center square template that you just created (don’t forget to leave some extra fabric for seam allowances). Then cut out 4 triangles from another fabric (use template of a triangle in the row marked “2” – see picture in Step 1). Place the square “face up” and put 1 triangle on top of it “face down” matching sides of both figures. Sew two pieces together as shown on a windows firewall software download picture below. Then do the same for the remaining 3 triangles and windows firewall software download iron.

Step 3.

You should have windows firewall software download a new square. If its sides are not straight trim them with scissors.

Step 4.

Cut out other pieces according to windows firewall software download your pattern and repeat Step 2 until you are done.

P.S.: Don't forget to windows firewall software download send us pictures of your fabulous quits and patchwork projects!