Patchwork is considered an international kindneedlework. A mosaic of scraps of cloth was folded in the countries of the Ancient East, patchwork sewing was also extremely popular in old Russia, and this technique was also used in Europe. Although the official homeland of patchwork is called England, in the world of patchwork sewing is also known Japanese patchwork. Why is this kind of patchwork so remarkable, and what is its history? Let's figure it out. 
From the history of Japanese quilting
Initially, patchwork in its pure form in Japannot used. True, in some Japanese monasteries for the monks sewed warm quilted jackets from square flaps symbolizing rice fields. In general, Japanese patchwork sewing existed in the form of a stitch. By the way, such sewing had a special meaning: Special stitches (forward needle) connected several layers of fabric overlap. Old fabrics were superimposed on new fabrics and thus sought to save material for clothing. As a result, geometric patterns characteristic of Japanese sewing were obtained. At the same time, traditional Japanese futon pillows were sewn just in scrappy technique. Again, everything was done in order to save. Futon was quite expensive bedding. Only such wealthy Japanese could afford to have such mattress cushions, and they used them for so long that the fabric was wiped. Then the frayed seats on the futons were covered with new cloth patches, and the pads themselves began to look like new ones. The emergence of real patchwork in Japan is subject to the same circumstances as the appearance of patchwork in England. When the politicians restricted (and in some places also banned) the import of Chinese fabrics, textiles became a terrible deficit. But for Japan itself, of course, such a policy had favorable consequences: the country began manufacturing its own fabrics. However, the tradition of economical consumption of fabrics has already firmly become part of the everyday life of the Japanese. Patchwork was done not only by futons, new clothes were sewn from the flaps of old kimonos, which were called komonos. And along with this a new kind of textile needlework of kinosuha (patchwork without needles) arose. The peculiarity of this needlework consisted in a unique combination of painting and working with cloth. With the help of carefully selected silk flaps and wooden plaques painted real paintings. To do this, the drawing or plot of the future canvas was transferred to a tree, the furrows cut through the contour of the drawing, and individual elements of the pattern were covered with rags, like paints, filling the edges of the flaps in the cut grooves. True, this kind of needlework pursued not applied, but purely creative goals. 
Features of Japanese patchwork
For an amateur in patchwork, patchwork from Japan is no different from traditional English sewing. However, this outlandish technique has its own characteristics and its own distinctive features:
- First, Japanese patchwork is characterized by the simultaneous use of patchwork and stitching.
- Secondly, the drawings in Japanese patchwork differan abundance of colors. And the symbol of this handicraft was the blossoming flowers. However, geometric ornaments that symbolize rice fields are also characteristic of Japanese patchwork sewing.
- Thirdly, this needlework differs usedin it with tissues. In contrast to the traditional patchwork, where they mainly work with cotton fabrics, silk is preferred in Japanese quilting.
- Fourthly, in Japanese patchwork sewing, Sasha's special technique is used - embroidery with a "forward needle" stitch.
So, the characteristic features of the Japanese patchwork can be called a combination of stitches with patchwork sewing, the use of mostly silk fabrics and patterns in the form of flowers and geometric ornaments.
Sashiko shoe
Tradition of the stitch in the Japanese patchwork hastheir historical roots. Initially, the stitch was used for sewing multi-layered warm blankets and clothes. Then, suddenly, it suddenly became clear that the quilted clothes were successfully acting as military armor. Well, quilted armor became an integral part of the ammunition of Japanese soldiers: such "bulletproof vests" were perfectly protected against the slashing blow of the sword and arrow. For the sake of justice, it should be noted that not only Japanese soldiers wore quilted armor, but also soldiers of China, Korea and India. Stitching in Japanese patchwork is different and technique. Traditionally for Japanese quilts the Sashiko technique is used with fine dotted stitch lines. And this stitch does not necessarily have to be straightforward. Patterns are admissible any: geometric, curvilinear, vegetative and abstract. The stitching can be performed by a contrasting thread on a monophonic fabric, can supplement the application or add relief to the patchwork cloth. The main condition - an equal length of stitches, exceptional accuracy of work and laconism of the picture.
Sewing yosegire
Quilting in Japan was also endowedspecial meaning. The prolongation of the life of old tissues was considered an exercise of the spirit, and patchwork garments were given as a sign of the wish of long life. In addition, the history of Japanese patchwork is closely related to the Shinto religion, which endowed the soul with all the animate and inanimate things. Fabrics and clothing in Japan have always been considered a special value, acting as a reward for good service and even in the role of money. And for expensive Japanese women silk meant the same as precious jewelry for women in Europe. In connection with the ban on wearing expensive clothes by representatives of the trading estate, a new fashion was invented, called "hidden elegance". In accordance with the laws of this fashion, expensive clothes were hidden under another (more modest) or used for sewing not whole cuts, but flaps. This type of sewing is called yosegire (stitching of pieces). This sewing became fashionable not only as an opportunity to prolong the life of the fabric, but also became a national decorative and applied art. Rags formed into patterns first randomly, and then purposefully. Then these patterns began to be supplemented with appliqués, then went into the art of painting porcelain, and then combined with embroidery sashiko, turning into Japanese patchwork sewing. Which is remarkable. Fashionable Crazy Patchwork is a European interpretation of Japanese patchwork: Japanese fabrics are woven so skillfully that they seem decorated with rich embroidery. When at the end of the nineteenth century, at an exhibition of Japanese culture in Philadelphia, screens made of brocade flaps were presented, many ladies decided that pieces of silk fabric were embroidered. This idea was also borrowed for the manufacture of crazy quilts, which began to be decorated with embroidery. 
Handmade
A real unique feature of Japanesepatchwork remains a handmade. Most Japanese women do not use sewing machines, because they are used to doing everything "truly". And what can be more real than handwork? That's why traditional Japanese quilts are assembled, stitched and quilted exclusively by hand. In addition, in Japan, the popularity of "recycling" remains - the sewing of old things into new ones. And it is this technique that remains part of the Japanese patchwork sewing. In general, Japanese patchwork is included in the category of fine arts: there is no simplicity in English patchwork, roughness of the American quilting or crazy cakey patchwork. Elegant design, fine work, light fabrics and hand-made design distinguish this kind of patchwork from all similar techniques. Here the Japanese also managed to excel, having learned to create something sublime from the most ordinary and mundane. A wonderful country and amazing culture! We advise you to read:
