Patchwork or "pieced work" is a form of needlework that involves sewing together pieces of fabric into a

larger design. The larger design is usually based on repeating patterns built up with different fabric
shapes (which can be different colors). These shapes are carefully measured and cut, basic geometric
shapes making them easy to piece together.

A patchwork quilt, cushion, or piece of clothing is made by sewing together small pieces of material of
different colours or patterns.

...beds covered in patchwork quilts.

Patchwork is also a noun.

For centuries, quilting and patchwork have been popular needlecrafts.

Appliqué is ornamental needlework in which pieces or patch of fabric in different shapes and patterns
are sewn or stuck onto a larger piece to form a picture or pattern. It is commonly used as decoration,
especially on garments. The technique is accomplished either by hand stitching or machine. Appliqué is
commonly practised with textiles, but the term may be applied to similar techniques used on different
materials. In the context of ceramics, for example, an appliqué is a separate piece of clay added to the
primary work, generally for the purpose of decoration.

Applique (pronounced app-lee-KAY) is a French word that refers to the addition of decorative fabric to a
larger piece of fabric by sewing or gluing. Applique can be elegant or simple, and it can create realistic,
geometric, or abstract designs.

Appliques first came to prominence to sew over the top of ripped areas on clothing. The sewers would
use patches of whatever fabric was available, which later became known as "patchwork."
Applique in Quilting

Applique is a term that quilters use in a few different ways when talking about their quilting projects:

Applique, used as a verb, is the process of sewing (or attaching in another way) smaller pieces of fabric
onto a larger background. Templates are used to cut the patches.

Applique, used as a noun, refers to a quilt or other project where pieces of fabric are already attached.

Applique projects can be sewn by hand or by machine. Sewing the patches to a background is the
traditional way to create a project but other methods can be used instead.

Needleturn Applique

Needleturn applique is a traditional hand applique method. Shapes (including a seam allowance) are cut
from fabric and pinned to the background. Quilters use the end of a sharps needle to turn under the
seam allowance of each patch as they sew the patch in place with a blind stitch.

Sew and Turn Applique

Sew and turn applique is an easy technique that eliminates the need to turn under seam allowances
before sewing shapes to a background. Two identical shapes are positioned right sides together and a
seam is sewn all the way around the shapes (on the seam line). The quilter makes a slit in the material
(fabric or something lighter-weight) that will end up on the reverse side of the pair before turning the
motifs inside out. Shapes can be added to the background using any method.

Fusible Web Applique

Fusible web applique, sometimes called iron-on applique, eliminates the need for seam allowances.
Instead, a thin sheet of sticky webbing is pressed onto the reverse side of the finished size of shapes.
When the shapes are ready they are pressed to the background, sticky side down, using a hot iron.

It's best to hand or machine sew the edges of fusible web shapes to the background to keep them from
curling away from the fabric, even if the brand you choose says that stitches aren't necessary.

Tips for Adding Applique to Quilts

It's a good idea to learn as much as you can about applique before starting a project. Fortunately,
Youtube is filled with applique tutorials; quilting groups are also likely to include a few people
experienced with applique. These tips may also help you to get started:

Quilters sometimes use freezer paper (available at the grocery store) to prepare their applique shapes.
The paper has a shiny side that sticks to fabric when pressed.

Cut oversize backgrounds for all types of applique because they tend to 'shrink' and become distorted as
shapes are added. Square up the backgrounds after all pieces are in place.

Any type of invisible or decorative stitches can be used to surround applique shapes.
What is quilting?

Quilting is a type of sewing which involves attaching two or more layered pieces of fabric

together. Traditionally, quilting was done to make quilts – heavy, warm bedspreads or blankets.

The earliest intact piece of quilted fabric, a linen carpet found in a tomb in Mongolia, was

believed to have been created in 100 BCE. Throughout time, quilts and quilted objects were

made by people and cultures all around the world – from quilted wall hangings in India to

quilted armour in Asia. Quilts and quilted objects were a way for people to demonstrate

craftsmanship, tell stories through the use of pictures, and even pass along messages through

the use of symbols. However, fabric is very fragile – few of these early quilted pieces have

survived the test of time.

In North America, the first quilts were created for survival purposes. European settlers who had

just arrived needed warm blankets to make it through cold winters, and creating layers of fabric

was an easy way to add warmth. Quilts were made by hand with a needle and thread, and were

used to teach young girls the basics of sewing – measuring, cutting, and stitching. For those

families that achieved wealth in North America, quilting became less about function and more

about creating beautiful works of art. During periods of economic struggle, such as the late 1920s

to early 1940s fabric and clothing that had been worn out or outgrown were recycled into quilts.

Today, quilting has grown into a type of textile art created by both men and women. The variety

of quilting styles and projects are limited only by the quilter’s imagination. Start with simple

projects to learn the basic quilting skills, and you will soon be able to create intricate and

detailed quilts and quilting projects!