One trapunto sample done….

If only I could show the quilting world how cool and versatile trapunto can be…. I am one step closer to maybe, maybe, maybe making an on-demand trapunto class a reality. I finished one sample this week. There are (hopefully) many to follow.

This piece shows a very traditional approach to trapunto. I’ll be creating samples that show it is perfect for statement quilts, Modern quilts, home decor, wall quilts – it is so useful!

Tada, my finished traditional trapunto sampler:

The trapunto adds incredible dimension. The photo below of the piece wet from removing marks shows the dimension beautifully:

If you’re wondering what trapunto is, the stuffed, puffy areas have two extra layers of batting. Traditionally, trapunto was made by slitting a tiny hole in the back of the area, stuffing it with batting, then hand sewing the wound back together.

What most quilters do now is “Trapunto by Machine”, soooo much easier! What follows is a brief overview of that process. IF I get that course up, there will be lots more detail.

I start with 2 layers of batting. The bottom layer will be something sturdy; I use a sturdy cotton batting. The “topping” is wool (it’s super puffy). The sturdy cotton holds the wool up and keeps the puff going to the bottom of the quilt.

The marked top is laid upon those 2 layers of batting and the marked trapuno designs are free motion stitched with water soluble thread:

View from the back after the first round of stitching:

The stitched areas will become the trapunto’d parts of the quilt top. I carefully cut the excess batting from around the trapunto’d areas, leaving this:

From now on, the top is treated as any other top – an additional layer of batting is added as well as a backing:

I almost always run into some unexpected problem. I had decided I wanted to grid the outer border. See all that puff between the inner hearts and the border? Yeah, that was going to be a problem to control all that puff in a small area. I pivoted and decided to bubble just that area.

Bubbles do an excellent job of controlling excess puff without the risk of tucks in the quilting. There is an almost invisible line between the bubbles and the grid work. Bubbles were a good decision!

I have accomplished a lot more this busy week, but I will stop here as I have to get ready for an on-demand Abstract course I’m taking. I’ll show you next week. Short post this week; there’s too much to do!

Question, does that dot of red from a rose bother you in the central heart? I kinda like slightly disruptive things like that; do you? Let me know if you would change that.

I’ll be linking up:
Nina-Marie’s Off the Wall Friday