Trapunto – This involves stuffing quilt pieces to give them a three dimensional effect.  Usually you stitch a design on your piece (pillow top, quilt, quilt hanging, etc.)  Then you stuff individual sections. For instance, if you have a flower on your pillow design, you stitch around the leaves, stem, or petals. 
Nest make a slit in the back and stuff it with batting.  You’ll need a long needle, crochet hook, or something made especially for this technique.  When you have the desired puffiness, stitch the opening shut, then proceed as usual with your project.
Quilters often do trapunto on white or solid …read more

  Sampler – This usually refers a small hanging, made by a young girl learning to sew.  It often contained the alphabet and some numbers.  There might be a saying, Bible verse, or line of poetry, along with an embroidered design.  This was a way to learn various stitches she would use in quilting and needlework throughout her life. 
 
Also the word “sampler” often refers to a quilt nowadays.  This is one, often taught in beginning classes, that contains blocks of different patterns using different techniques, so the young quilter learns initial piecing, appliqué and quilting techniques.
(Amazon image)

Applique

We’ve discussed applique as one way to create a quilt, the art of stitching pieces of fabric onto a fabric background in various designs.  Some quilters prefer this over piecing quilts.  Others combine the two.
You also don’t have to limit applique to bed quilts and wall art.  You can use applique on clothing and items for decorating your home.  If you particularly enjoy this type of stitching, you might want to  applique:

Table cloths
Pillow tops
Baby blanket and pillow sets
Cafe curtains
Luncheon sets
Shawls
Scarves
Napkins
Baby’s sleeper

Can you think of other uses of applique?
(Amazon image)

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com
THURSDAY THIRTEEN
Often it’s difficult to find inspiration for quilting designs.  You feel you’ve made the same thing over and over, so want some new ideas.  But where do you come up with something unique and different?
Here are some tips on finding inspiration and new ideas.  Some may work for you.

Look at the different shades of green in the trees and shrubs, flowers and grass around you.  I first realized the many variations when taking an art course and the instructor pointed this out.
Find a photo of a place you’ve visited and see what ideas you glean from it.
Take several …read more

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com

Our word this week is Applique.  This is a technique or type of quilting whereby you stitch one piece of fabric onto another.  One definition says it’s a piece of fabric cut out and stitched ornamentally to another.
Traditionally, the appliqued pieces made a specific design.  They might be flowers, leaves, birds, animals, houses, geometrics and more.  Usually you turned the edges, of the piece to be stitched, under about 1/4 inch and stitched by hand or machine with decorative stitches.
Nowadays, some appliqued pieces are stitched onto another without turning under so the raw edges ravel to give an interestiing effect.
(Amazon image)
(c)2008 …read more

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com
Quilters sometimes are in a quandry whether to use straight or bias binding on their projects. 

Is one easier to make?
Is one easier to use?
Is one better to use than the other?

Here’s some useful information at Quilted Paradise – Bias Binding vs. Straight Binding.  It should help you decide which you want to use, and when it might be better to use one than the other.  Have fun!
Do you have a preference yourself?
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com
THURSDAY THIRTEEN
Do you like to try new qulting techniques?  Perhaps there are some you haven’t even heard of.  Some may be “as old as the hills” while others are new innovations. I know my daughter is continually informing me of ones she’s trying or desires to. 
For Thursday Thirteen, I’m mention 13 Quilting/Fabric Art Techniques to Try:

Painting fabric on gelatin
Trapunto
Adding buttons to your work
Creating three dimensional fabric art
Reverse applique
Hand piecing
Sun dyeing
Set-in seams
Strip piecing
Free-motion quilting
Microwave dyeing
Precision piecing
Stitch in the ditch

What are your favorite techniques for making your quilts and other fabric art?