Patchwork patterns were as popular during the Victorian era as they are today. The following information, with some revisions, was published in 1887 for Victorian women to use to make patchwork items. Please note that except for some added information or layout changes, these are as they were originally published. If you care to reproduce any of these patterns, you may find you have to substitute items that are no longer available for purchase. Patchwork Patterns can be made from geometrical figures, and are chiefly copied from old Mosaic or Parqueterie designs; however, the designs can be made as elaborate as the worker likes, and they have been carried to the extent of working coats of arms in their natural colours, and pictures contain large-sized figures. One of these works of art was exhibited lately, and was remarkable, both for the patience and skill displayed in its execution, and the beauty of the colours employed. The following Patchwork Patterns are amongst the best, and can be enlarged or decreased in size, as required.
During the Victorian era, Patchwork was very popular to make tidies, mats, sofa pillows, Afghans, Bed Spreads, etc., of small pieces of silk and satin. The edges of each piece of fabric were worked with different designs using a wide variety of embroidery stitches. It was recommended at the time to use embroidery silk and that “waste” embroidery silk, that came in mixed colors in short lengths, was the best and most economical to use.
It was often suggested that embroidery designs, which were to be stitched before joining the pieces together, such as snow flake stitches, sprays of flowers and outline designs of children’s heads, bugs, etc., looked best.