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 color cloth.  Also, there are machine techniques for trapunto nowadays. 

Trapunto, whether by hand or machine, results in lovely fabric art. 

Do you have any special techniques for doing trapunto?

(Amazon image)

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Quilting Word of the Week – Trapunto

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)

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Quilting Word of the Week – Sampler

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)

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Applique in Quilting and for Other Uses

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.

1. 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.
2. Find a photo of a place you’ve visited and see what ideas you glean from it.
3. Take several pieces of fabric from your stash.  Toss them on the table or carpet and see if they suggest ideas or combinations.  Try again if the first time doesn’t work.
4. Look at shadows on snow in reality or a shadow.  Very little is pure white.
5. Take pieces of outgrown children’s clothes and make a memory quilt.
6. Combine neckties of your dad’s, uncle’s or other family member.
7. Attend a quilt show or display for inspiraton…not to copy but to get ideas.
8. If you’re to make a quilt gift for someone, ask their favorite colors. 
9. Select a theme such as “Day at the Beach,” “Picnic in childhood,” “Camping in the mountains,” “First Day of School,” and sketch a design based on it.
10. Arrange a collection of shells, stones, jewelry, mementoes, etc. and see what impressions they give you.
11. Take pictures of categories – old barns, stone walls, rail fences, clouds, flowers and find inspiration in them. 
12. Look at textures – tree bark, sand, river rocks, house siding, and others.
13. Try portraits of people, either done realistically or impressionistic.

Do you find any ideas here to inspire you? 

How do you find inspiration for your quilting work?

(Amazon image

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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Thursday Thirteen – 13 Tips for Quilting Inspiration & Design

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 Mary Emma Allen

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Quilting Word of the Week – Applique

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

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Quilting Tips – Should You Use Straight or Bias Binding?

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:

1. Painting fabric on gelatin
2. Trapunto
3. Adding buttons to your work
4. Creating three dimensional fabric art
5. Reverse applique
6. Hand piecing
7. Sun dyeing
8. Set-in seams
9. Strip piecing
10. Free-motion quilting
11. Microwave dyeing
12. Precision piecing
13. Stitch in the ditch

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

Post from: Blisstree

Thursday Thirteen – 13 Quilting/Fabric Art Techniques to Try