Sometime ago on the net, I remember reading in a crafting/sewing site someone saying "there's a huge difference between a homemade and a handmade quilt!" The inference being that handmade was better and homemade was inferior.
You know, I sort of get that comment. After all, there are so many gorgeous quilts out there. I went to my local sewing shop a few months ago and asked for general advice on how to make a patchwork quilt and was shown kits of brand new fabrics already cut out for me. A search on the net pretty much revealed an overwhelming number of sites advocating the use of brand new fabrics to create particular types of patchwork quilt.
It was for this reason that I too, a newbie sewer, took on the attitude that "homemade patchwork" - ie one that uses real scraps from old clothes and other craft projects - should be limited to small applique type work or for things that are not to be displayed (eg - sew scraps together to make a decent sized rag).
So it was a huge eye opener for me last week when I found this at St Vinnies:
It is a single-bed size quilt that was celebrating "homemade handmade" instead of handmade!! ...and I thought it was just gorgeous (and promptly bought it). The stitching at the back reveals it to be truly homemade. Its not truly perfect like many handmade quilts. The person who made this used different types of fabrics too - from synthetics, to t-shirt fabrics, to "normal" cotton (smooth cotton fabric).
But there's something endearing about this quilt. Its...warm and homey.. and not warm and homey in an artist/designer sort of way - its warm and homey in
So, today, in honour of appreciating the "homemade handmade", I made this patchwork pillowcase.
Like the person who made the quilt, I used a combination of t-shirt fabric and "smooth" cotton (is that cotton percale?). The fabrics used were real scraps that I had at home.
And this one, I'll definitely be displaying.
Edit 26 Aug 09 - For another example of gorgeous homemade handmade check out these gorgeous toys from Gina's blog.
I hope you all had a good day.
P.S. This is not to say I don't appreciate the many beautiful and artistic handmade patchwork stuff out there. I guess what I'm trying to say is that there is room for both.
17 comments:
ooh I love the quilt, its absolutely gorgeous. I prefer homemade to handmade myself - I think intentions for both can differ. One is about prestige/formality and the other about necessity and frugality. However both can have love and care put into them. I love the pillowcase too.
When I complain to my husband that any of craft or card making hasn't come out perfectly enough for me, he says it needs to be that way, so people know you've made it yourself!
I appreciate any craft or art item that has been made frugally and for a purpose, not whether it has been made with great skill, or just enough skill to get the job done! The use of reclaimed fabric or wool or materials (and nothing to say they can't be made into beautiful, or well crafted items either) makes it more appealing to me is all...
Good on you! That's a brilliant attitude.
Oh you're right Gleaner! Both can be made lovingly. I chose the wrong words - after thinking more about it, I guess what I meant was that homemade is warm and homey in a simple life kind of way.
Dixie - yes! Beautiful and well-crafted should always be appreciated but there is also something beautiful in crafting an item that is made frugally and purposefully.. In some ways, it really is the essence of upcycling.
Kurrabikid - thank you!
I have never thought of that before, to me quilts have to be made from specially bought fabric. But it is soooo expensive and you are right! Patchwork quilts were originally made from scraps of other fabric.
Maybe I should start to make a scrappy quilt. Another project to add to my list!
Oh yes, it's easy to get sucked into the idea that we need fabric kits or matching things to make something beautiful. Check out these amazing soft toys that a friend made for my kids out of clothing scraps http://clutterpunk.blogspot.com/2009/07/elephantastic.html
Gina,
What gorgeous elephants. I had an attack of the gimmies, just looking at them :-)
Did she use a pattern, do you know?
I so agree Eilleen. I love the quilts done to perfection - but it is the home made ones that cry out - "hey I'm not perfect, but someone put a lot of effort into making me" that really attract me. Love the quilt
"homemade handmade" :) I so love that expression, thanks! I have a small quilt my son uses for reading, it is made from multiple squares of flannel - all scraps from outgrown, or wore out pj's. It is a favorite item of his - just like the multiple patch quilt my Aunt made me :)
I love the idea of reusing things to create 'new', functional items, and wish I could dedicate myself more to making stuff like that. The quilt you bought & the pillowcase you made are two great examples of how 'homemade handmade' items can be practical & beautiful at the same time! I especially like the colours you combined to make your patchwork pillowcase. I think it looks lovely.
How lovely. It's so good to know that someone's careful work is being appreciated again.
I wonder what its story is?
Great post. This is why I don't do any crafting, because I know what I make won't be 'perfect'. Just because it doesn't look perfect though doesn't mean it won't be perfect for our family's needs. Maybe I will have a go.
cheers Kate
I have a quilt similar to this! My grandmother sewed "for the public" back in the 60s and 70s and had many scraps of double knit fabrics. Sometime in my childhood, probably in the mid-70s, she made a bedquilt from the scraps. It fits my queen-sized bed and is quite beautiful to me.
I've only ever made scrap quilts but I've sometimes had access to my mom's leftovers so it was easier to color coordinate them. I'm kind of a rebel in how I do things anyway and can't see using a kit or one fabric line to make a quilt.
Molly
Thanks again everyone!
Darkpuplemoon - yep me too! Until I saw this I would never have considered making a quilt from my scraps, but now I'm thinking of making one.
Gina - thank you so much for providing that link! I love love those elephants! I've not amended my post to include your link as an example of gorgeous homemade handmade!
Karen-Anne - from what I've read, I don't think she used a pattern. I'm sure Gina can clarify :)
Janet - you know when I was making my pillowcase, I kept thinking of you as you were the first person to ever show me how to do patchwork. Thank you.
House Elf (fantastic user id btw)- you know I've always wanted to make a quilt out clothes my children have outgrown. I love the idea of using flannel pjs! I will have to start keeping them when my kids have outgrown them.
Frugalundergrad - thank you for your lovely compliment. I'm a tad time poor too at the moment so I know how you feel. Caffeine is pretty much enabling me to spend time crafting (hehe) but it would be good to have a dedicated weekend to craft and sew.
Daharja - yes I am wondering too the story behind the quilt...
Kate - I hope you do make something homemade handmade! Please let me know if you do!
Molly - oh wow! How cool that you have a similar quilt. I would also love to see some of your work. If you ever do blog about something you made from scraps, then please let me know!
Re: elephants - As far as I know Emily made the pattern up. Sketched in on paper and then imagined how to do it in 3D. Clever girl!!
That's a lovely quilt! What a great find :)
I thought of you yesterday, because I scoured my local Sammy's and found not one, but three beautifully handmade crochet blankets, and an applique'ed table cloth. I was so happy to give them a home, and at the same time sad that they'd been put in the op shop at all. Someone had loved someone enough to make those beautiful things, and then they'd been cleared out in order to make way for something else. But someone else's secondhand is another persons fantastic find, and those handmade homemade items are now going to be the brightest blankets my soon to be here bub has ever recieved!
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