Exploring Patchwork Clothes
It just hit me like lightening! Patchwork and upcycling go so well together, they are like peanut butter to jam. A lot of my upcycling journey has focused around patchwork. I’ve worked patchwork into handbags, bell bottoms, tops and dresses. I’ve even gone as far as to turn some of my quilt tops into patchwork skirts! The truth is, if you love an alternative look in your clothes patchwork can be a strong design element. Check out some recent makes I have done with patchwork in the last couple of years, and scroll down for more ideas!
The Star dress by Kathryn Sturges
Checker board dress by Kathryn Sturges
Patchwork skirt made from a quilt top by Kathryn Sturges
Here are some ideas and tips for working patchwork into upcycles!
If you are upcycling a bunch of t shirts, try cutting them into squares or rectangles and create patchwork first. These can be worked into tops, jackets and dresses with sweet success. Another idea I love is to get a pattern for wide leg pants or yoga pants, and then use large t shirt squares to create the pants.
Try sewing panels of patchwork to create bell bottoms or to add into the side seams of pants. Additionally, panels of patchwork can work well in the side seams of jackets or on denim skirts. Panels of patchwork are also a great way to create the skirt portion of a dress, or skirts in general. Panels in dresses and skirts are so simple to make, especially if you create a template to work with.
When sewing with patterns, create a patchwork first and then use the pattern as you normally would. Be sure to use the proper weight of fabric for the pattern for best results, and if it is a skirt or dress you may want to line the piece with muslin.
Handbags are an awesome way to use some patchwork! Quilt the bags with a lot of stitching using thread that pops for a chic look.
If you have a stack of old quilt tops lying around and you know you will not finish them, turn them into skirts or jackets. Jackets look especially good when made with quilted fabric or even vintage quilts. One time I sewed a small quilt, but once it got quilted I just didn’t love the result. So I turned it into a large zipper bag and now use that to store my lingerie.
If you have a lot of scrap material, sew yardage of patchwork to have some ready for different projects. You can also do this with old clothes! Break them down into smaller pieces and whip them into patchwork by the yard so that you have patchwork ready when you want a new dress or skirt.
Corduroy is incredible for patchwork bags and bell bottoms! Go to the thrift store and gather up old corduroy pants and jackets to use in projects. Corduroy blends well with denim because it has a similar weight, and it is easy to cut down with just scissors because of the lines in the weave.
