Patchwork: “Windmill” and the pillow

Patchwork (quroq) is joining fabric scraps of different colour and texture in one article. In this way pillow covers, quilts, covers for sofas and chairs, small rugs and clothing trims are made. Any fabric, new or used, can be used. New fabric is pre-shrunk first (steam or hot water), because two fabrics that shrink differently when washed will spoil the piece. Used pieces are washed, starched and ironed. Cotton scraps are convenient, coat-type fabrics are soft and suit rugs, covers and panels, silk can be used after starching but does not last long. Tools: needle, thread, sharp scissors, pins, coloured pencils, ruler, card or thick paper, hoop. The patchwork pattern consists of separate elements of equal shape and size; for cutting, templates are made of card: the needed shape (square, triangle, hexagon) is drawn without seam allowance, then a second line is drawn 0.5–0.7 cm outside all round, and the card is cut along inner and outer outlines. The template is laid on the back of the fabric and traced with a pencil; the outer line is cut and the inner line is where two pieces are sewn together. Geometric patterns fall into three groups: triangles, stripes, spirals. “Square in square” and “Windmill” are triangle patterns. For “Windmill”: two triangles are joined along the diagonal to make 4 squares, which are joined in pairs and finally all together; colours must contrast. Safety: cut card and fabric with sharp scissors or a knife on the table, fingers out of the blade’s path; pass scissors closed; pre-shrinking uses hot water and steam – the teacher or an adult does it; follow iron rules; count needles and pins.