I myself am a color chaos goblin. I make fun patch work quilts with the scraps from other peoples quilts. Hundreds of little pieces and a riot of color. Love to see your creations.
I just went down a rabbit hole thinking one actual Japanese technique this would look great with is sashiko stitching, and it looks like there might be some basis in the inspiration for the western style coming from a Japanese practice called boro. Google gives a ton of modern examples but I did find a few historical ones, including a robe in the V&A collection dated 1850-1900.
My now finished (at last!) quilt was sewn more or less like this, too. I didn't sew the individual pieces to a backing to stabilize, I mostly sewed them to each other and ironed the seams open, then added batting and a back, and finished with sloppily made bias binding, and tacked with Xs. Just in time for the summer to come upon us, lol! At least the cat enjoys sleeping in a quilt-purrito
I made bed quilts using this technique over 30 years ago but didn't realize that it was a thing until today. Thank you for sharing this fun project and giving us a history lesson.
My mother, who was a child of rationing, had a crazy patchwork dressing gown, with tiny pieces, featuring things like my grandfather's racing silks, which I remember from early childhood (1970s). I've always dimly supposed it to be a product of rationing and always-busy hands, but 1960s-70s and the sewing machine make much more sense. I wish I'd asked her about it.
And this is the modern streamlined method! It’s pure faff. But then we all have different tolerances in crafting. I’ve made multiple steeked all over fair isle colourwork garments and I know some people think that’s a ridiculous amount of work 🧡🧡🧡
I enjoy your channel a lot, generally speaking, but I REALLY enjoy when you talk about the things you are passionate about. Such as history, colonialism, and the history of colonialism. Which hey, happen to also be interests of mine. Thank you for sharing your time and labor with us.
I learned to paper piece quilt blocks over 20 years ago. Then about 10 years ago I pieced random patterns onto muslin cut about postcard size. Quilted and bound it and mailed them for Christmas greetings. I’m a color junkie, so I used bright small patterns and pieces. Only the most favorite folks got one, but boy did they let me know how much they loved the fabric postcard. I see them on their Christmas trees years later. I appreciate the grace you extend to us all as we try to balance creating and sustaining with physical and mental health. Your kindness and creativity have made me a huge new fan. I’m no longer sewing for cosplays for my kids, but may have to rethink and find a con and make a character. In my 60s it is more challenging to find like minded folk, so I’m going to just try harder. There is a local coffee shop(Dungeons and Java) that has a craft night where people bring unfinished projects and create in community. Maybe I will find an adventuring party as well! Very best wishes!!!
The wall hanging looks great! I have been saving scraps of cotton from mask making for a future quilt project. To keep things fun and because my father said he wouldn’t switch from reusing medical masks unless it was superman! I have a nice verity of colour and patterns of fabric. Of course it’s a someday project but I prefer to think of it as planning ahead!
The wall hanging looks great! This is a technique I've been thinking about on and off since seeing your patchwork coat, maybe some day I'll have the energy to actually iron seams and make something like it. I make cat toys when I just need to de-stress and sew something by hand, so I keep a bag of "fabric trash" because I will end up using it somehow, either for making said cat toys or for stuffing a bum pad or a new pin cushion.
The patchwork, both as a WIP and a finished object, is stunning, and the historical tangent is fascinating. You do an excellent job of making some really important points about exoticism in general and Japanomania in particular. I enjoy all of your videos but this one was something special. I especially enjoyed the opening sequence. I'm not really a patchwork person (my chaos demon needs to be sat on, so I keep my scraps to use as cushion stuffing) but I did make a Dutch 1940s liberation skirt after watching Juul Thijssen's videos. The technique I used was similar to what you described at one point - folding the edges under and embroidering them down, except I used my sewing machine's appliqué stitch.
Absolutely brilliant ! Made being awakened by our dog at 5:30 a whole lot less annoying. You have already improved my day, and I now have an idea for a sewing project for my class (who expressed an interest in quilting just Friday).
"I respect that, but will not be replicating it" is a quote that can be applied to so many things when using historical inspiration. I knew there was exoticism involved, but I had never actually heard an explanation for why Jonathan Swift included Japan in "Gulliver's Travels".
This is so cool! I’m really interested in topics like this! The history behind clothes is so interesting! Do you think this type of work would be good for an elegant cozy dressing gown?
For sure! I would probably stick to thinner/lighter fabrics if you don’t want it to be stiff, and it’ll be a bit heavier than if you used a plain fabric, but the coat I made is ridiculously cosy
I have done a little bit of crazy quilting, but I did not know about the method of sewing everything to a big piece of backing fabric. I think I will try it out. The finished hanging looks amazing!
There is a surviving crazy quilted dressing gown dated 1890 in a museum in Bloomington, Indiana. There are also countless crazy quilted tea cosies and pincushions!
I’ve been working on a similar project inspired by your scrappy LARP quilt this past month to make sense of scraps. I can’t be bothered with ironing lately so sitting with a big basket of scraps and no plan is wildly therapeutic in it’s mindlessness 💛
I use crazy quilting (the term I know it as) in my soft sculptures and appreciate the research and opinions you've shared! The bits too small to patchwork become stuffing for my figures.
I do love your channel. Such delightful content. I "took up quilting" to get a use for all those little bits of fabric. This was a mistake. I now have many more boxes of fabric and spend most of my free time make quilts for people. Oops. All the off cuts from quilting get put together in crumb blocks which I have used for curtains and they are great insulation. Good wishes for the New Year, EliJ
It reminds me of crazy paving. Odd peices of stone used to make a road or path out of off cuts that are strange shapes. It's also abit like old motley. That was originally clothing given by churchs to the poor. And was often made out of patchwork of fabrics too small to be useful. People dressed in this were called foolish. This became stylised by court jesters
Hi! This is exactly what I've just started doing...I get a load of remnants really cheap and so far I've made a big blanket with backing and light padding all from the remnants! On a dolls house quilt now! Soglad I found your channel, excellent work with your crafts and knowledge! Thanks 👍👍
The sewing technique used here seems very similar to the quilting technique of foundation paper piecing. I am assuming that FPP evolved out of these type of crazy patchwork, or it could be something where the two processes evolved from the same type of existing foundation piecing? I'm not sure what the history is there. I really appreciated and enjoyed the historical tangent into why this technique was erroneous labeled as Japanese.
This does make me question to what extent the claim that Gustav Klimt's art was influenced by Japanese art is true. Whilst I would not say that his work was wholly uninfluenced by (an orientalist understanding of) Japanese art, I'm not sure they're that similar.
Absolutely gorgeous result. 😩🤌 I was already planning a quilted coat after your last patchwork video, but this has upped my patchworky desires to the next level. Totally agree on the mental load that dealing with “it’s still useful” stuff brings, too. I have a scrap bag for teeny offcuts that I cut into even teenier pieces to use as stuffing in cushions, tailor’s hams etc and I’m only allowed to keep as much scrap as fits in the bag. It helps rein in the hoarding tendency.
![The Quiet History of Adjustable Clothing [from a non-historian]](/img/1.gif)
I myself am a color chaos goblin. I make fun patch work quilts with the scraps from other peoples quilts. Hundreds of little pieces and a riot of color. Love to see your creations.
I did the lining for a wool coat in this kind of patchwork after seeing your last crazy patchwork video😜
I just went down a rabbit hole thinking one actual Japanese technique this would look great with is sashiko stitching, and it looks like there might be some basis in the inspiration for the western style coming from a Japanese practice called boro. Google gives a ton of modern examples but I did find a few historical ones, including a robe in the V&A collection dated 1850-1900.
My now finished (at last!) quilt was sewn more or less like this, too. I didn't sew the individual pieces to a backing to stabilize, I mostly sewed them to each other and ironed the seams open, then added batting and a back, and finished with sloppily made bias binding, and tacked with Xs. Just in time for the summer to come upon us, lol! At least the cat enjoys sleeping in a quilt-purrito
I made bed quilts using this technique over 30 years ago but didn't realize that it was a thing until today. Thank you for sharing this fun project and giving us a history lesson.
Thank you
I admire how smoothly scripted, filmed, sewn and presented this is.
Youre amazing. I mean, listening to you as i sew and watching how you do crazy patchwork is such a pleasure. Thank you darling, for being you. ⭐
The wall hanging looks amazing!
My mother, who was a child of rationing, had a crazy patchwork dressing gown, with tiny pieces, featuring things like my grandfather's racing silks, which I remember from early childhood (1970s). I've always dimly supposed it to be a product of rationing and always-busy hands, but 1960s-70s and the sewing machine make much more sense. I wish I'd asked her about it.
And this is the modern streamlined method! It’s pure faff. But then we all have different tolerances in crafting. I’ve made multiple steeked all over fair isle colourwork garments and I know some people think that’s a ridiculous amount of work 🧡🧡🧡
I enjoy your channel a lot, generally speaking, but I REALLY enjoy when you talk about the things you are passionate about.
Such as history, colonialism, and the history of colonialism. Which hey, happen to also be interests of mine.
Thank you for sharing your time and labor with us.
I learned to paper piece quilt blocks over 20 years ago. Then about 10 years ago I pieced random patterns onto muslin cut about postcard size. Quilted and bound it and mailed them for Christmas greetings. I’m a color junkie, so I used bright small patterns and pieces. Only the most favorite folks got one, but boy did they let me know how much they loved the fabric postcard. I see them on their Christmas trees years later.
I appreciate the grace you extend to us all as we try to balance creating and sustaining with physical and mental health. Your kindness and creativity have made me a huge new fan. I’m no longer sewing for cosplays for my kids, but may have to rethink and find a con and make a character. In my 60s it is more challenging to find like minded folk, so I’m going to just try harder. There is a local coffee shop(Dungeons and Java) that has a craft night where people bring unfinished projects and create in community. Maybe I will find an adventuring party as well!
Very best wishes!!!
The wall hanging looks great! I have been saving scraps of cotton from mask making for a future quilt project. To keep things fun and because my father said he wouldn’t switch from reusing medical masks unless it was superman! I have a nice verity of colour and patterns of fabric. Of course it’s a someday project but I prefer to think of it as planning ahead!
The wall hanging looks great! This is a technique I've been thinking about on and off since seeing your patchwork coat, maybe some day I'll have the energy to actually iron seams and make something like it.
I make cat toys when I just need to de-stress and sew something by hand, so I keep a bag of "fabric trash" because I will end up using it somehow, either for making said cat toys or for stuffing a bum pad or a new pin cushion.
"completely fabricated"! such an awesome multilayered use of the phrase there (intentional or not, I do not care)
The patchwork, both as a WIP and a finished object, is stunning, and the historical tangent is fascinating. You do an excellent job of making some really important points about exoticism in general and Japanomania in particular. I enjoy all of your videos but this one was something special. I especially enjoyed the opening sequence.
I'm not really a patchwork person (my chaos demon needs to be sat on, so I keep my scraps to use as cushion stuffing) but I did make a Dutch 1940s liberation skirt after watching Juul Thijssen's videos. The technique I used was similar to what you described at one point - folding the edges under and embroidering them down, except I used my sewing machine's appliqué stitch.
Absolutely brilliant ! Made being awakened by our dog at 5:30 a whole lot less annoying. You have already improved my day, and I now have an idea for a sewing project for my class (who expressed an interest in quilting just Friday).
Brilliant, I have the obligatory bin bag full of material scraps so I will definitely be trying this out.
"I respect that, but will not be replicating it" is a quote that can be applied to so many things when using historical inspiration.
I knew there was exoticism involved, but I had never actually heard an explanation for why Jonathan Swift included Japan in "Gulliver's Travels".
This is so cool! I’m really interested in topics like this! The history behind clothes is so interesting! Do you think this type of work would be good for an elegant cozy dressing gown?
For sure! I would probably stick to thinner/lighter fabrics if you don’t want it to be stiff, and it’ll be a bit heavier than if you used a plain fabric, but the coat I made is ridiculously cosy
What an amazing piece of art, with a tremendously interesting bit of history included.
I have done a little bit of crazy quilting, but I did not know about the method of sewing everything to a big piece of backing fabric. I think I will try it out. The finished hanging looks amazing!
There is a surviving crazy quilted dressing gown dated 1890 in a museum in Bloomington, Indiana. There are also countless crazy quilted tea cosies and pincushions!
I could see making purse/bags with this method. It's beautiful!
I’ve been working on a similar project inspired by your scrappy LARP quilt this past month to make sense of scraps. I can’t be bothered with ironing lately so sitting with a big basket of scraps and no plan is wildly therapeutic in it’s mindlessness 💛
I really like this! Also, love the deep dive and the limitations thereof.
So beautiful ! Excellent idea !
I use crazy quilting (the term I know it as) in my soft sculptures and appreciate the research and opinions you've shared!
The bits too small to patchwork become stuffing for my figures.
Such a beautiful wall hanging!
I do love your channel. Such delightful content. I "took up quilting" to get a use for all those little bits of fabric. This was a mistake. I now have many more boxes of fabric and spend most of my free time make quilts for people. Oops. All the off cuts from quilting get put together in crumb blocks which I have used for curtains and they are great insulation. Good wishes for the New Year, EliJ
It's so beautiful! Thank you for making this video!! I've been thinking about this technique since you made that patchwork cloak.
Jogakbo is a Korean traditional patchwork that looks similar to the style of this patchwork
It reminds me of crazy paving. Odd peices of stone used to make a road or path out of off cuts that are strange shapes.
It's also abit like old motley. That was originally clothing given by churchs to the poor. And was often made out of patchwork of fabrics too small to be useful. People dressed in this were called foolish. This became stylised by court jesters
New to sewing here . Can you tag some of your favorite go-to tools? What type of ironing mat do you use? Thinking of doing DIY mat.
Hi! This is exactly what I've just started doing...I get a load of remnants really cheap and so far I've made a big blanket with backing and light padding all from the remnants! On a dolls house quilt now! Soglad I found your channel, excellent work with your crafts and knowledge! Thanks 👍👍
The sewing technique used here seems very similar to the quilting technique of foundation paper piecing. I am assuming that FPP evolved out of these type of crazy patchwork, or it could be something where the two processes evolved from the same type of existing foundation piecing? I'm not sure what the history is there.
I really appreciated and enjoyed the historical tangent into why this technique was erroneous labeled as Japanese.
This does make me question to what extent the claim that Gustav Klimt's art was influenced by Japanese art is true. Whilst I would not say that his work was wholly uninfluenced by (an orientalist understanding of) Japanese art, I'm not sure they're that similar.
Absolutely gorgeous result. 😩🤌 I was already planning a quilted coat after your last patchwork video, but this has upped my patchworky desires to the next level.
Totally agree on the mental load that dealing with “it’s still useful” stuff brings, too. I have a scrap bag for teeny offcuts that I cut into even teenier pieces to use as stuffing in cushions, tailor’s hams etc and I’m only allowed to keep as much scrap as fits in the bag. It helps rein in the hoarding tendency.