Fast, Fun, and Versatile: An intro to Broderie Perse

Fast, Fun, and Versatile: An intro to Broderie Perse

I wanted to introduce you to a traditional quilt-making style that is super fast, fun, and can be used is SO many different ways.

In the year 1600, The East India Trade Company was formed and brought Indian chintz fabric to Western countries for the first time. This fabric with its bright colors and intricate illustrations was very different from the monochromatic fabric available in the rest of Europe at the time, and soon became extremely popular.

Since the fabric was very expensive, quilters wanted to make the most of their yardage, so would surround small panels of the chintz fabric by lots of borders in a medallion style quilt, and started cutting the illustrations out to form their own compositions-- this technique is known as Broderie Perse and was the most popular style of applique in England and in the Americas in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

Center panel is a great example of traditional Broderie Perse, quilt by Cynthia Collier, Peggy Morton, and Jonnie Nottingham.

Typically the chintz fabric had a white background, and quilters would cut out the chintz designs and applique them to another white fabric, that would then be used as a panel and often surrounded by lots of borders in a medallion format.

We learned all about in Broderie Perse earlier this year in Meander, and we've been having fun making this style our own! Here are some close-ups of a Broderie Perse quilt I had a ball making-- the flowers are all from just 2 different half yard cuts of Kaffe Fassett fabric. 

The Meander Guild is all about taking a traditional style like this one and really making it your own-- we've been having a lot of fun with this one!

I'd love to hear from you! Have you done much raw edge applique? Any quilt style you're really interested in trying out? Leave a comment below. 

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7 comments

Hi Shannon,

Your Broderie Perse quilt is beautiful!! I, too, have been working on this new (to me) technique with butterflies since I’m not all that into flowers. I’ll be forwarding a picture as soon as the binding is added. I’ve also did some scrappy applique for some children – tops done – and two other tops practicing applique and satin stitching. Wishing you a Happy 2019! And, thank you for all you have shared.

Bonnie Sheppard

Stunning!

Zia

Love this!! I don’t think that I have ever heard of this before, the results are something to behold.

Diana

I have done some applique. I am doing the splendid sampler & enjoying all the different technique’s. The meander guild looks awesome because you go thru different quilt styles. Can’t wait to join when you reopen. Have a great New year!!

Tamara

Would love to join when possible to learn new techniques and ideas that are relatively easy as still a new quilter

Kathie

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