I was thinking about what I wanted to do for the first Creative Spark Challenge prompt. I knew I wanted to work with the prompt "digital art" and use the beautiful elements in the free bundle Marisa, Susan, Jenna, Shay, and Parmeet generously donated (you can get it by signing up for the challenge here). They are all representations of who they are, their art, their creativity--how can I bring them together without changing anything but somehow making it cohesive? The first thing that came to mind was to create some type of paper patchwork quilt.
The idea of different elements with a variety of colors and patterns being stitched together to create something beautiful and whole made me think of CA--of all the different people and communities that are coming together to support their friends, their family, their neighbors, as well as complete strangers who have been affected by the fires.
In the midst of all the destruction, loss, and chaos, seeing these selfless acts of generosity, care, concern, and love has been so touching, inspiring, and heartwarming to witness. I hope I can capture a bit of this in my sketchbook page.
Below is how I created my version of a paper patchwork in case you'd like to try it and put your own twist on it! I hope you find this tutorial helpful.
If you do try this out, I'd love to see your patchwork! Feel free to send me an email or tag me on Instagram! Happy creating!
MATERIALS 
- Your sketchbook / canvas / paper to attach the patchwork to
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Digital Art Bundle from the Creative Spark Challenge (It's free! Just sign up here and you'll instantly get access to the PDFs to print out at home.)
- Awl tool (to poke holes--if you don't have one you could maybe make do with another sharp instrument)
- Foam pad / punching pad (to place under your paper as you poke holes
- Embroidery thread (I like using metallic gold for some extra oomph :))
- Needle (with a hole large enough to thread the thicker embroidery thread through)
- Scratch piece of paper (similar size to your sketchbook or paper you'll be working with)
- Glue Stick
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Ruler
PROCESS
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Create a template for your patchwork. You will be using this to cut out the pieces of your patchwork.
If you are planning on using the same shape for each piece such as a square, hexagon, triangle, etc. Cut out the shape in the size you want and use that as your template.
If you'd like to create an abstract patchwork like mine or your own design, start with a piece of paper slightly smaller than your sketchbook / canvas.
Draw the shapes you'd like to use.
Number all the pieces and on all the sides that are shared, add some marks that extend through both pieces so that if you need to figure out which piece goes where, you can match up the lines.
Take a photo of the final pattern on your phone before you cut into it. This will help in case you have problems putting it back together--you will have a photo to refer to.
I also highly recommend laying the template pieces in the correct way as you work!
- Cut all the pieces out so you can use it to trace the shape onto the paper you'll be using the create the patchwork pieces.
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Use the template pieces to trace onto the paper you'll be using for each patchwork and cut them out.
As you cut them out, lay the pieces in the correct way to make gluing them down easier.
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Glue your patchwork down. This part can be a little tricky depending on your design! Sometimes it helps to lay the template pieces on top to help you line it up. Make sure the position is how you want it before you start gluing (if some of the pieces end up going past your paper's edge you can always trim it.)
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Take a step back and look at your patchwork. Do you need to add anything else or make any adjustments? (I ended up adding more pieces and broke up some of the larger pieces.)
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Punch holes where you want to stitch the pieces together to give it the patchwork look.
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Start stitching. This part can take longer than you think! My advice is to put on a movie while you do this :)
If you aren't sure where you want your stitching placement to be, start with less then add more as you go. (I wasn't sure if I wanted stitching on the edges like at the very top on the red flower piece but ended up adding it!)
If you accidentally poke a hole where you didn't mean to, you can usually push the paper back up from the bottom and press it to make the hole disappear. If this doesn't work well enough, after this step, add a piece of paper to the bottom to help cover and spot where the paper couldn't be pushed back up.
Once you are done with the stitching, your piece is complete!
