The Sum
Is Greater Than Its Parts

As with so many elements of what we now consider “fashion,” patchwork was born out of necessity, not aesthetic inspiration; we appreciate its eclectic colors and playful patterns, but those qualities are incidental to its utilitarian origins. Patchwork is about making the most out of what you’ve got—a spirit we can all relate to these days.

Pilgrims setting up a new life in Massachusetts steeled themselves against New England winters with patchwork quilts bearing patterns thought to have been handed down over the centuries from their medieval ancestors. Centuries later, “crazy” quilts made of asymmetrical scraps sewn together in random order became a graceful rebellion against the stringent social mores of the Victorian era, and during the Great Depression, patchwork exploded in prominence again, and made a permanent imprint on American culture. In the years since, patchwork quilts have transcended the nostalgic “folk art” category to be celebrated as a true art form, as evidenced by the Museum of Fine Art, Houston’s 2002 exhibition celebrating the craft of a small group of quiltmakers from Gee’s Bend, Alabama, or Robert Hughes’ 1990 book, Amish: The Art of the Quilt.

Ralph Lauren has built his world on a foundation of authentic American style, so it’s no wonder that patchwork has been an RL signature for decades. In 1982, Ralph Lauren’s Americana collection celebrated the ingenuity of those early American homemakers who took scraps from their family’s worn-out clothes and sewed them together into clothing and quilts that gave warmth and color to the family’s life. Ralph Lauren Home collections have consistently featured patchwork, and over the decades Ralph Lauren has transformed everything from dresses and men’s denim to pillows, comforters, and, of course, quilts into a celebration of the artisanal beauty of patchwork.

Creating your own couture-worthy patchwork gown may be a bit beyond most of our capabilities at home, but if you’re feeling inspired to explore the personal joys of patchwork, why not take inspiration from Ralph’s own Polo Bear quilt and create a virtual quilting bee with far-flung friends and family. Once you’ve assembled your team, a few tips to consider:

1. Pick a theme. If the idea is to capture this mood of this moment we’re all facing together, perhaps each contributor creates a patch that symbolizes something that got them through—a favorite dessert, a self-portrait with face mask, a puzzle, a special book, a glass of rosé, or an embroidered message (like … “What day is it?”). If some of the less-crafty members of your quilting team are looking for additional inspiration, more ideas and resources are just a Google search away.