Japanese patchwork with their own hands: schemes, master class

Originating as a banal saving of fabrics, patchwork became a real art in the world of needlework. Virtually every ancient state had its own peculiarities of this technique. World acknowledgment was granted to the English patchwork, which is famous for the simplicity of forms and the availability of fabrics. But no less interesting is the Japanese patchwork. Like everything else, the inhabitants of the country of the rising sun managed to bring this technique to perfection and turn into a real art.

Features of Japanese patchwork

Unlike European craftsmen, Japanese have their own special techniques and techniques. The first feature is the presence of a "forward needle" line. She is decorated with a finished canvas, creating and emphasizing unusual patterns and drawings. Thus, simply sewn together flaps become like a work of art.

Secondly, special attention is paid to flower drawings and ornaments. This can be both prints on fabric, and embroidered patterns.

Thirdly, the use of applications is not typical for English technology. Patchwork in Japanese often uses this technique to create a more picturesque picture.

Masters from Japan never use sewing machines for work. For them, this technique is a way to enjoy and create a truly valuable thing. And this is possible only under the condition of manual work.

And, of course, fabrics. Japanese patchwork uses predominantly silk, while the world prefers cotton fabrics.

Patchwork as art

The Japanese know how to turn everyday affairs into a whole philosophy. Sewing from the remains of cloth was no exception. The combination of different flaps, their colors and shapes makes it possible to create real picturesque paintings. Appliques and embroidery complement them. This is not just patchwork. Japanese technology has been improved to such a level that it has long ceased to be just a craft.

There are cases when Europeans and Americans took similar works for silk painting, so incredibly they looked.

In addition, this technique is close in essence to religious views, which endow the soul with living and non-living things. Patchworking means the revival of the soul of dying fabric items, transforming them into a new improved form.

Basic layouts of blocks

As is known from history, the ancient Japanese patchwork is an applique. The layout of its blocks in modern times is dictated precisely by this feature. In most cases, for sewing, a fabric blank is taken, which is patched in a certain order with shreds. In their arrangement, clear geometric lines, circles and squares, various arcs predominate.

No less popular, and maybe more than geometric, plant motifs. Petals of flowers and crown of trees are spread out of multicolored patches . This feature is not typical for English technology, because it is more difficult to perform.

In fact, an inexperienced master unlikely to distinguish Japanese patchwork from the European. The main distinguishing feature of the latter is simplicity and clarity. The Japanese aspire to make each product as complex and bizarre as possible. This should be considered using the simplest motive.

Example of simple block assembly

For one or two times it is difficult to fully master the Japanese patchwork. The master class of this technique, although simple, but the general concept is akin to philosophy. To begin with it is necessary to master the basics.

To work, you need 3 cardboard blanks: 2 circles of different diameters and a square, precisely placed in a smaller circle.

Cut out a large mug flap. On the edge of the contrasting thread make a dotted seam. We do not fix the ends of the thread.

We take a smaller circle, place it in the fabric blank and smooth it into its edges. We tighten the thread so that the workpiece holds the mold better. We remove the cardboard circle, and put a square flap in its place.

Next, in the shape of the square, bend the edges of the circle and fix them with pins. The workpiece is ready for further stitching by stitching the needle forward. This is the simplest example that Japanese patchwork demonstrates to the uninitiated. The master class of this technique is understandable, but she herself will require a certain skill from the performer.

Stitch "forward needle"

Anyone who wants to learn the Japanese patchwork, the schemes of which are widespread, will face such a notion as the line "forward needle". This is one of the basic seams in sewing and embroidery.

It is performed by passing the needle through the tissue at equal distances. This is precisely the complexity of the technique: you need to learn how to make a perfectly smooth dotted line. Stitches and gaps between them should have equal distances. Otherwise, the product will look ugly.

Who can master this seam ideally, can create the most beautiful products in the technique of Japanese patchwork. Applikatsiya, schemes and patterns in it are impossible without the possession of a stitch forward. In addition, in this patchwork there is no use for any technical means for sewing flaps.

Applications

Initially, patchwork was used to update old clothes. There have been examples in the history of how the products in this technique performed the role of chain mail, protecting them from arrows and slashing a sword.

Today this is an original decorative technique. Many designers use Japanese patchwork in their works. Bags in this technique are very popular, because they are not just beautiful, but also convenient and practical.

Also often found interior items (pillows, bedspreads, blankets, curtains), sewn from patches in the Japanese style.

They also use it for making clothes. Back in ancient times it was believed that a gift is very expensive, if it is made with the help of patchwork technique. Japanese technology makes every thing unique, because it is created only by hands and for a specific person.

The simplest bag

To sew a bag in this technique, it is necessary to make a sufficient number of blanks. On an example of the previous master class, let's consider an easy way to assemble a bag.

Since our blocks have a square shape, it is not difficult to create a parallelepiped with their help. It will be the beginning for our bag. Sew the workpieces together, sewing lining and handles - we get a practical and convenient shopping bag.

In the future, you can try and learn how to sew other blocks, of which the Japanese patchwork consists. Bags in this technique will complement any outfit, will become an integral part of its ensemble.

Seamless Japanese patchwork

As mentioned earlier, this kind of needlework was extolled by the Japanese to the level of real art. The proof is seamless patterns in this technique. They emerged at a time when Japan imposed a restriction on imports of Chinese fabrics.

The essence of "painting with cloth" is as follows: as a blank was taken a smooth board. A contour drawing was applied to it. On contours small small grooves were cut. Thanks to them, the fabric kept on the future canvas.

Next, the work of the master was to cut out the desired color and size of the flap and fill it with prepared furrows. A piece of cloth seemed to stretch on a wooden workpiece.

The paintings in this technique, which is called a kinusage, are a bit like stained glass, with the only difference being that they are opaque.

These days, this art has changed a little. Today, polystyrene is used as a billet, which does not require preliminary grooving.

Of course, products in the kinusage technique are of an exclusively applied nature and can not be used in everyday life.

Some tips for beginners

Those who want to create a Japanese patchwork with their own hands, it is necessary to spend a lot of time and effort to master this art in perfection.

First you need to learn the basic shapes, from which blocks for patchwork are created. Japanese technique is a little like origami, the same complex and requiring perfect performance in everything. A little inaccurate bending, uneven line, skewed block can seriously spoil the appearance of the finished product.

Also it is necessary to learn how to sew by hand. And to master it is necessary not only a seam "forward a needle". For a long time already Japanese masters have been using embroidery as one of the main elements of patchwork sewing. The more seams the master knows, the more original the product is.

Although the patchwork is sewn from rags, nowadays for this art it is necessary to buy special fabrics. In this case, they must be of the same quality, thickness and density, otherwise the product will be swollen and skewed. This is one of the cases when saving can be expensive. Only good expensive silk fabrics guarantee success.

Contrast applications perfectly complement the finished product. In this case, they are performed from the same blocks, rather than from individual flaps. The latter is rather rare, when it is necessary to emphasize a very small element.

Do not be afraid to experiment. Color and shape can be complemented by beautiful seams and light applications. Or on the contrary - the patchwork sheet becomes an excellent background for the present embroidered picture.