A feature of the artichoke patchwork technique is a patch in a certain sequence of product details cut from various materials. Most often, the elements are made in the form of squares from satin ribbons, brocade or cotton fabric, and then fold into triangles. Beads, sequins and laces are used for decoration. A patchwork in this style is usually used to decorate unbreakable Christmas tree decorations.
The Christmas ball in the artichoke technique looks very unusual and cause a lot of questions about the technology of its manufacture in inexperienced needlewomen and people not related to sewing. In fact, to create such a toy, even a beginner will not need special skills. The product can be sewn in half an hour using conventional patchwork accessories. It is enough to purchase or find multi-colored shreds in the house and add a drop of imagination.
Artichoke balls: master class
Let's try to create a simple Christmas tree toy using a foam blank and three types of fabric.
To work, we need:
- shreds of three colors;
- spherical foam blank with a diameter of 8 cm;
- flat head studs;
- centimeter;
- small scissors;
- glue stick;
- ribbons for decoration;
- tape lighter;
- washable marker.
At the first stage, it is necessary to mark the foam blank with a marker so that the rags lie evenly and are not warped. On the ball itself there will be a strip in the middle, it should be highlighted to make it easier to navigate. Then we find the poles, marking them with pins. This can be done by marking any place on the drawn line and then placing a carnation on the opposite side: measure the circumference with a centimeter and divide the distance in half. It will take a few more lines to divide the ball into 8 parts.
Fabric preparation
We cut the material into square shreds from 7 to 8 cm in size. 10 pieces are needed on the first layer, 16 on the second and third layers. It is advisable to immediately fold the pieces of fabric 4 times and smooth them. Then the edges and center will be clearly visible, and folding blanks will become easier. We take the carnations and place it in the center of the patch on the front side. We take out one of the pins on the pole and attach the first shred there. We smooth and pull it slightly so that the material “grasps” the workpiece, after which the edges are fixed with pins, sequentially switching to opposite sides. The bends of the fabric should coincide with the lines drawn by the marker. There is no need to be afraid that the marking will be noticeable after the end of work - even if this happens, the marker can be easily dissolved by spraying with water.
Making cloves
We proceed to the formation of shreds for our ball in the artichoke technique: take the fabric, unfold it and pierce it with a pin from the wrong side in the center. The hat should hold the material, and the point should go out. We remove the mount on the workpiece and, folding the shred in half, place it near the center. We press, we rotate the upper edges to the middle, forming an even triangle, and fix. To be even, we are guided by the drawn lines. For symmetry, go to the opposite side and repeat all the actions, forming a corner. We make two more cloves, filling them with the remaining sides. We make sure that all lines coincide. Now we need to fix the ends of the triangles: we overlay the neighboring ones on top of each other and fix them with pins. Turn the ball over and attach the first layer on the other side.
Overlay the second layer
At the next stage of creating the Christmas ball using the artichoke technique, we take a different type of fabric and insert a new shred between the cloves of the first layer. We do this with a centimeter, having previously measured 1.5 cm from the center and noting the places of attachment with pins. Make sure that the fold is a continuation of the line on the first layer. Then again we fix the patch on the opposite side, repeating all the previous steps. On the second layer you will need 2 times more “cloves”. We mark 1.5 cm on the remaining lines and pin the triangles.
Make the third layer
It remains to use the last type of fabric for our toy using the artichoke technique. Again we retreat 1.5 cm now from the bottom row of cloves. Repeat all the steps in the same way as on the second layer. We attach shreds on both sides of the foam blank. When all the triangles are assembled, it remains to close the seam in the middle of the ball. To do this, you can use fabric to match the last layer. We remove all protruding threads in advance. We cut out a strip of material about 27 cm long and 3.5 cm wide. We turn the edges and fasten them with glue stick, wrapping the ball with a slight stretch, and then fix it with pins. You can decorate the product with ribbon bows and other elements, using them as a fastener. Stylish and effective Christmas ball in the artichoke technique is ready. Such a toy will never break and will decorate your house for many years to come.