Fabric collage was first introduced at the University of Helsinki by Maija-Leena Seppälä. The technique was named tilkkumaalaus in Finnish.

A characteristic of the fabric collage introduced here is that most of the pieces of fabric in use are small and of irregular shape. A large number of pieces of fabric are used. There are no strict rules. Creativity and an interest in experimentation are advantages to the embroiderer.

Three main approaches are introduced in this study material:

• approach (A): embroidering by hand
• approach (B): embroidering by sewing machine and
• approach (C): a technique created by Richard Box which combines the two previous approaches.

It is quite an independent way to work, without many restrictions. Read more about the technique and its origin in the actual study material.