Patent Publication Number: US-6904855-B2

Title: Patchwork fabric article and method

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to the field of textiles and, more particularly to a simulated patchwork fabric article and the method for manufacturing the same. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   The patchwork design or “look”, including patchwork quilts, blanketthrows and other types of bed coverings, and even wall hangings, have a long history in the prior art. The history of patchwork designs and the fabric articles that embody these designs actually goes back over 500 years where quilting had its origins in Asia and Europe and then eventually was introduced in the United States by the Amish in the mid 18 th  Century. Amish quilts, for example, are unique in that they are made from solid color fabric having both bright and somber colors. The Amish patterns are typically geometric incorporating ornate or elaborate designs. Quilting was introduced in Hawaii by New Englanders. Most Hawaiian quilts are made from whole pieces of solid cloth which incorporate appliqued patterns that are commonly sewn over neutral colored backgrounds. Another version of the quilt, the Crazy Quilt, consists of various types, colors and textures of cloth randomly sewn together. 
   Quilts were often the result of the frugal use of bits and pieces of leftover or unused fabric joined together to produce a covering to keep warm or use as a decoration. Quilts often reflected the history of the times, or a particular family history. Whatever their purpose, they were unique and attractive. And, due to the original aspects of their artwork and the investment of time in handcrafting the article, quilts were and, particularly handcrafted versions, continue to be highly in demand. 
   Patchwork quilt reproductions, though usually not the product of tedious, skilled and creative handcrafting, often appear just as aesthetic appealing and enjoyable as the originals. Certain reproductions require joining larger or longer pieces of fabric use methods other than conventional hand stitchery, including even adhesives. Simulated stitches may even be employed to give the appearance of the genuine item though this variety is not nearly as popular as the genuinely stitched version. Machine or mechanically sewn patchwork fabric materials have been manufactured for many years. They obviously can be made more efficiently and for much less cost than their handcrafted counterparts. But, machine sewn patchwork quilts typically are not as attractive or as highly regarded. 
   The present invention is directed to a patchwork fabric article and a method of manufacture of the article to achieve a product that simulates the valuable and most aesthetically pleasing aspects of the genuine article, but without its major deficiencies. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In its preferred embodiment the present invention provides a textile fabric comprising a plurality of pieces of fabric material cut into strips, which are then placed adjacent to one another and interlaced. Series of these interlaced strips are situated transverse of one another and allow for overlapping edges. Recessed from these edges along an imaginary parallel line extend a series of rows of stitching employed to join and secure the pieces of fabric. The culmination of this process enables the appearance or simulation of a genuine patchwork design. 
   The method to construct a textile fabric with the realistic appearance of patchwork design comprises the steps of providing pieces of fabric material formed into strips of generally equal length and width, placing a first series of the strips in juxtaposed relation and a second series of the strips in a juxtaposed relation and situated transverse to the first series of strips, interlacing the two series of strips to form a top and bottom surface of textile fabric, arranging the transversely related series of strips so that their edges overlap and stitching the series of strips along a line parallel to and recessed from the edges. 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved patchwork fabric article. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of manufacture of the patchwork fabric article. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved patchwork fabric article that simulates the appearance of a genuine patchwork quilt. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved patchwork fabric article that is easy and cost effective to manufacture. 
   Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following specifications when considered in light of the attached drawings wherein the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the improved patchwork fabric article according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a view of the improved patchwork fabric article of the present invention taken along line  2 — 2  of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the individual transverse strips of fabric before the strips are interlaced according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the interlaced fabric strips according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of a section of the interlaced and stitched fabric strips according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the same section of the interlaced and stitched fabric strips, as shown in  FIG. 5 , according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the fabric article according to the present invention bordered by fringe. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring more particularly to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention depicting patchwork textile fabric article  10 . Textile fabric article  10 , which can constitute any type of cloth covering for a bed (e.g. a quilt) or a blanket throw, which can be used for some other purpose, is comprised of a plurality of fabric strips  12  sized according to the dimensions of the covering or textile fabric article desired. For example, a quilt approximately seven (7) feet by seven (7) feet might be formed from a series of fourteen (14) individual strips  14  each six (6) inches wide and seven (7) feet in length. Each strip  14  is placed juxtaposed to the next. A second series of fourteen (14) individual strips  16  each six (6) inches wide and seven (7) feet long is placed over and situated transverse to the first series of strips  14 . Each strip  14  is then interlaced with strips  16 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , until all the strips have been interlaced and caused to lay relatively flat. The interlaced strips  14 ,  16  are then secured by joining them together employing rows of sewn stitches  18  along a parallel line  20  recessed from edge(s)  22  along the two sides  24  of each strip. Sewing strips  14 ,  16  in this fashion helps to create the illusion of a patchwork pattern, which results from the apparent random arrangement of the fabric pieces or patchwork squares  26  observed upon both surfaces  28 ,  30 . Adding to the illusion and contributing to the realistic simulation of a genuine patchwork pattern is the stitch motif and location, which allow for “free” or open edges  19  to be situated alongside the patchwork squares  26  on one surface  28  of fabric  10  and a finished edge  21  along the corresponding line on the reverse surface  30 , as shown in FIG.  6 . 
   Squares  26  are provided in a variety of colors, or color combinations. They can also be shown with a wide variety of indicia or ornamentation to enhance the simulation and interest of the patchwork design. 
   Fringes  32  can be formed from the edges  34  of the strips  14 ,  16  to further enhance the aesthetics and realism of the patchwork article. 
   The method of manufacture of the patchwork textile fabric  10  includes the steps of placing a first series of individual pieces of assorted textile fabrics formed into strips  14  of generally equal length and width in juxtaposed relation, placing a second series of individual pieces of assorted textile fabric formed into strips  16  of generally equal length and width in juxtaposed relation, arranging strips  14  in transverse relation to and covering strips  16 , interlacing strips  14  and strips  16  to form a single thicker and stronger textile fabric product  10  with a top surface  28  and a bottom surface  30 , arranging strips  14 ,  16  so that edges  22  overlap, and sewing stitches  18  along a line  20  parallel to and recessed from edges  22 . Fringes  32  fashioned from edges  34  can be formed to enhance the strength, realism and aesthetics of the simulated patchwork pattern. 
   While the invention will be described in connection with a certain preferred embodiment and method, it is to be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that particular embodiment and method. Rather, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.