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| Photos above © Retalhos & criatividade |
Materials You’ll Need
Before we get started, let’s gather all the materials required for this project. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Fabric squares (6x6 inches)
- Fabric strips in various colors (3 cm and 4 cm wide)
- Scissors or a fabric cutter
- Ruler
- Sewing machine
- Iron
- Base fabric (e.g., denim or sturdy material)
- Thread in coordinating colors
Step 1: Preparing Your Fabric Strips
The first step in creating your patchwork carpet is to prepare your fabric strips. You’ll need strips in different colors and widths. For this project, we’ll be using strips that are 3 cm and 4 cm wide. The colors used in the tutorial include blue, white, and pink, but feel free to choose any colors that match your decor.
Cutting the Strips
- 3 cm Strips: Cut your fabric into strips that are 3 cm wide. You’ll need these in blue, white, and pink.
- 4 cm Strips: Similarly, cut additional strips that are 4 cm wide in the same colors.
Step 2: Creating the Patchwork Blocks
Now that your strips are ready, it’s time to start assembling the patchwork blocks. Each block will be a square, and we’ll be using a combination of the 3 cm and 4 cm strips to create a visually appealing design.
Assembling the First Block
- Start with a Square: Take one of your 6x6 inch fabric squares as the base.
- Adding the Blue Strips: Place a 3 cm blue strip on one side of the square and sew it in place. Repeat on the opposite side.
- Adding the Pink Strips: Next, add a 3 cm pink strip to the remaining two sides of the square.
- Marking and Cutting: Use a ruler to mark 2 cm from the edge of the pink strip and cut accordingly. This will help in aligning the strips perfectly.
- Repeating the Process: Turn the square over and repeat the process on the other side, ensuring that the strips are aligned and sewn neatly.
Adding the White Strips
Once the colored strips are in place, it’s time to add the white strips around the edges to frame the block.
- Measuring and Cutting: Measure 2 cm from the edge of the colored strips and mark. Cut the white strips to fit.
- Sewing the White Strips: Sew the white strips around the edges of the block, ensuring they are evenly spaced and aligned.
Step 3: Creating the Second Block
Repeat the same process to create a second patchwork block. This block will be identical to the first one, ensuring consistency in your design.
Step 4: Joining the Blocks
With both blocks ready, it’s time to join them together to form the main part of the carpet.
- Aligning the Blocks: Place the two blocks side by side, ensuring that the seams match up.
- Sewing the Blocks Together: Sew the blocks together along the edges, using a 1 cm seam allowance.
Step 5: Adding the Base Fabric
To give your carpet durability and structure, you’ll need to attach it to a base fabric. Denim or a similar sturdy material works well for this purpose.
- Cutting the Base Fabric: Cut your base fabric to the desired size. In this tutorial, the base measures 50x83 cm.
- Attaching the Patchwork: Place the patchwork blocks on top of the base fabric and pin them in place.
- Sewing the Layers Together: Sew around the edges of the patchwork blocks to attach them to the base fabric.
Step 6: Finishing Touches
To complete your patchwork carpet, add a border for a polished look.
- Cutting the Border Strips: Cut strips of fabric (5 cm wide) to use as the border.
- Attaching the Border: Sew the border strips around the edges of the carpet, folding the edges under for a clean finish.
Final Thoughts
Creating a patchwork carpet using fabric strips is a time-consuming but incredibly rewarding project. The final result is a unique, handmade piece that adds warmth and personality to any room. Whether you choose to make your blocks larger or smaller, the possibilities are endless. This project is perfect for using up fabric scraps and creating something truly special.