Introduction to Contemporary Patchwork
A course by Zita Chocarro IriarteTextile Designer
A course by Zita Chocarro Iriarte, Textile Designer
Combine and upcycle fabrics to create unique textile pieces
Patchwork is an ancient textile technique that consists of joining pieces of fabric to create a larger design, often in the form of a blanket, a tablecloth or even clothing.
Zita Chocarro is the founder of Hamabi Design and one of the leading figures in what she calls contemporary patchwork, a modern twist on this traditional art form. In this online course, she teaches her techniques to combine and upcycle fabrics into original textile pieces that are both decorative and functional.
What will you learn in this online course?
14 lessons & 6 downloads
The traditional Patchwork and the contemporary
6 minutes, 36 seconds
Materials for the course
2 minutes, 12 seconds
Search the idea, moodboard
10 minutes, 17 seconds
Materials selection
6 minutes, 18 seconds
Design to scale or collage
6 minutes, 22 seconds
Patchwork basics
1 minute, 38 seconds
What's included in this course?
Begin by getting to know your teacher, Zita Chocarro. Hear about her creative journey and how she founded her textile brand Hamabi, along with her artistic influences.
Dive into the world of contemporary patchwork and see how it differs from the traditional approach. Discover some of the textile artists who currently work in the field and how they have modernized it to find inspiration for your project.
Get to work on your design by searching reference images and compiling them into a mood board. Decide on the color palette, some general shapes, and the fabrics you need to make your bag. Learn two different techniques to help you find the right arrangement: collage and free composition.
Time to bring your idea to life! Zita shows you how to set up your workspace and what tools you need for the process.
Sew your fabrics together piece by piece, ironing as you go. To wrap up, insert padding and put the finishing touches on your bag. Zita also shows you other possible applications for patchwork to inspire future projects.
What is this course's project?
Design and create a colorful patchwork bag from scratch.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Creative and crafty people who are passionate about fabrics, sewing, decoration, and getting the most out of materials.
Requirements and materials
Basic sewing skills, both by hand and with a machine, are required.
In terms of materials, you need fabrics, thread, fabric scissors, a sewing machine, and an iron. For your design, you also need paper, a pencil, rulers, scissors, and glue.
Reviews
- 3 months ago
Explica muy bien, me encantó el bolso patchwork
- 6 months ago
Muy lindo y muy clara!
- 7 months ago
Passaggi molto chiari e seguendo passo passo si può fare. Forse parlerei ancora un pò dei tipi di materiali e delle imbottiture. Sono soddisfatta del corso.
- 7 months ago
Muy interesante y con una explicación clara! Me hubiera gustado un poco más de rigor y profundidad en el contenido sobre técnica y medidas pero entiendo que entraba dentro de los objetivos del curso. Muy satisfecha y lo recomendaría!
- 9 months ago
Interesante, pero siento podria haber sido mas atractivo y con mas dealles.
Hamabi means "twelve" in Basque and symbolizes the number of units produced for each patchwork blanket design.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Artistic Influences and Inspiration
- The traditional Patchwork and the contemporary
- Materials for the course
- U2
Design the fabric
- Search the idea, moodboard
- Materials selection
- Design to scale or collage
- Patchwork basics
- U3
The construction
- Prepare the tissues and make the puzzle
- Sewing and ironing
- The padding
- Finish the bag
- U4
Other apps
- Other ideas to apply the patchwork
- Patchwork of improvisation
- FP
Final project
- Contemporary Patchwork
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
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FAQs
Contemporary patchwork blends modern techniques with innovative colors and shapes, standing apart from traditional styles through its experimental and artistic approach. It offers greater creative freedom and the use of diverse materials to craft unique, up-to-date accessories.
This is an intermediate-level course, perfect for those with basic sewing skills who want to refine their techniques and dive deeper into modern patchwork.
You’ll need a variety of fabrics, fabric scissors, a clear ruler, a heat erasable marker or tailor’s chalk for marking, batting, thread, an optional sewing machine, and materials for lining and assembling bags. Having a digital or physical mood board is also recommended.
You’ll learn how to design and sew bags and textile accessories, use geometric and color techniques, create mood boards, prepare and cut pieces precisely, mix fabrics, and apply improvisational and textile collage methods.
We use rulers, squares, and heat erasable markers or chalk to mark fabric lines accurately. Seam allowances are added, and pieces are cut according to the planned design.
The course teaches how to create color charts, group fabrics by palette, and balance prints with solids. You’ll be encouraged to draw inspiration from mood boards and visual references to achieve color harmony.
Yes, the course encourages reusing textile materials to create sustainable accessories, adapting techniques based on the type and size of available scraps.