I love the variety of prints from Liberty London and thought what better way to showcase them than to create my own Liberty London patchwork top. This is a great way to use up some of your favorite scraps from other projects. You can also see my other fabric scrap projects here.
I started with a selection of Liberty scraps in blues, reds, and purples. I recommend choosing prints with similar or complementary colors. Quilting cotton may work for this patchwork top but I recommend apparel cotton scraps so the final patchwork will drape better on your body. Cut your scraps into strips and separate them into 2 piles by cross or straight grain so you can determine which way to sew the strips together. Read more about fabric grain here. I wanted my large patchwork piece to be sewn in the same grain so all the pieces would stretch in the same direction. If you can’t tell the grain by looking at your scraps, stretch in both directions. One direction should stretch slightly while the other will not stretch at all.
Next pick strips from the same grain pile and sew together. To make the patchwork pattern look more “random” I followed instructions from this post. Here I’ve outlined the 6 blocks I ended up with. I arranged them around to see which prints I liked together the most. Note that the fabric you have on the edges will be in the seam allowance so don’t use your favorites prints there.
Once you’ve sew nall your patchwork together, it’s time to cut your pattern piece. I only used the patchwork in the front of my top. For the back I used a solid piece of royal blue cotton voile from fabric.com. It’s best to use fabric types with the same weight and drape of your patchwork fabric. If you use a heavier weight fabric in the back then the front might shift up towards the back when you wear it. I used my favorite Simplicity pattern 1377 view E that I also used for a knit top here.
For the sleeves I used the blue Susanna print for both sides to provide some consistency in the top.
I hope these tips are helpful if you decide to sew your own DIY patchwork top. Happy “mad” patchwork sewing!
I have been wondering about tis for a while. How does it look on the inside? When we sew a garment, we finish the seams, but how do you finish all the seams in the patchwork?
I actually left the seams unfinished because Liberty lawn does not fray too much. Several options to reduce fraying. You can cut your fabric on a bias so it won’t fray when you stitch it together. You can consider adding a lining and then top stitching the seams to the lining. This would enclose the seams inside the lining. Another thought would be to serge or zigzag over the seams. Happy sewing!
Sorry, how rude I am, I should have started with saying how absolutely beautiful this top is! Really lovely. (That’s why I would like to know more…)
HOw adorable! ANd thanks for showing how you “made” the fabric for the pattern. My first time by your blog and love how inventive you are! Val fromTuesday ARchives Linky!
Very cute! I love how the shirt is so scrappy yet cohesive.
How flippin’ cool is that top?! I want to wear it, it’s gorgeous.
Very clever use for scraps!
What a cute top! It’s adorable! Thanks so much for sharing your method. Beautiful job!
I absolutely love pieced clothing, and I’m so excited to see I’m not alone! this top turned out beautifully, and your tips are awesome!
What a great way to use up small scraps of fabric. Your patchwork design works so well!!!
Featured today…
What a great top!! Beautifully done 🙂
I have had several ideas about using scraps for clothing. You have done a wonderful job. I like the hint that you used the same fabric for both sleeves for cohesiveness. I guess eventually too many fabrics would bee too much.
Wow wow wow, you’ve done it again! So lovely, such a great idea to use precious little bits. Love this SO much!