Learn how to use offcuts from your fabric stash to create a freeform patchwork panel. You will use French seams throughout for a beautifully finished front and back. Start with one remnant of cloth and build outwards to create a unique cloth that can then be used in any sewing project.
We’re using this technique with offcuts of ecru Indian cottons which make a light and airy cloth perfect for a window panel. We've included some images below of different curtains at The Grove for inspiration on how you might use your patchwork panel: You can make a pair of large, sheer curtains that offer privacy while still letting light in, perfect for a bedroom. Or try a cafe curtain to partially cover a kitchen or bathroom window. Explore our fabric suggestions below for similar cloth to the ones we’ve used.
This technique works with any light-mid weight fabrics and the finished patchwork can be used to make clothing and accessories as well as home textiles. Have a rummage through your fabric offcuts and get inspired. Make sure your chosen fabrics are a similar weight to one another so your patchwork will sit flat and hang nicely. This anti-waste, stash-busting project could become a cushion cover, an Orton Bag or a Mathilde Skirt. You can see an example of a patchwork Mathilde skirt here, in our blog post about experimenting with simple patterns.
You can find two Instagram video tutorials for the steps here:
VIDEO - SEW A FRENCH SEAM
VIDEO - BUILD A PATCHWORK PANEL
HOW TO SEW A FRENCH SEAM
A French seam makes a beautiful, neat finish on both sides of your work. This is great if you’re making anything that may be seen from both sides like a curtain or a patchwork skirt. Watch a video tutorial here.
To make a French seam you sew two seams rather than one, catching the raw edge and enclosing it within your seam. Here’s how:
- With wrong sides together, seam your pieces together with a very small seam allowance, about 3-4mm. If, once sewn, your seam allowance is greater than 4mm, you can trim the raw edge as close to the seam line as possible.
- Press seam open.
- Flip your work over and fold right sides together along the seam edge. Your seam line should sit straight, right along the top of the fold. Your raw edge is enclosed inside the fold.
- Press seam flat along your folded edge.
- Take your folded edge to the machine. Seam 5-6mm, catching your raw edge inside.
- You will now have two neat sides to the seam. Press your French seam allowance to one side.
HOW TO BUILD YOUR PATCHWORK PANEL
Step One.
You need to decide the scale of your piece before you start your patchwork. For our curtain panel we are going to use fairly big fabric pieces so that our panel comes together more quickly. For a smaller piece, like an item of clothing or a cushion, you can use much smaller offcuts and remnants. Watch a video tutorial here for a visual illustration of this process.
Step Two.
Neaten and straighten the edges of your offcuts so that they are cut at right angles on the grain. This will make it much easier to sew your pieces together and avoids any stretching.
Step Three.
Start with one piece of fabric. Pick one of the larger offcuts as your starting piece. You are going to work outwards from this point. Choose one edge of your starting piece and begin grouping smaller offcuts together to make a strip that is the same length as your chosen edge.
Step Four.
When you’re happy with your chosen pieces, French seam these grouped offcuts into a new strip of fabric. Neaten the edges of your new strip so it has straight edges.
Step Five.
French seam your new strip to the chosen edge of your starting piece. Neaten the edges of your patchwork panel so that you always have a rectangular panel to build upon. If you have to chop off any sections to make straight edges, these sections can be used elsewhere in your design.
Step Six.
Repeat steps 3-5, building your patchwork panel outwards by piecing together offcuts to make strips that will border the edges of your panel. You want to make sure that you mix up your fabrics so that they are distributed evenly throughout your work; make sure no offcuts of the same colour/pattern are next to each other. You can keep going until your patchwork panel is the desired size.
Step Seven.
Use as you would a normal piece of fabric to sew any project!
Below are some suggestions of fabrics similar to the ones we've used in our patchwork curtain panel:
CURTAIN INSPIRATION AT THE GROVE
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