Trapunto and Shadow Trapunto Tutorials  2018 Geta Grama; 2

Trapunto

and

Shadow

Trapunto Tutorials

Trapunto and Shadow Trapunto Tutorials  2018 Geta Grama; https://www.getasquiltingstudio.com/ 2

In just a few words, TRAPUNTO means a quilt design raised with an additional layer of batting and with a pronounced “stuffed” effect.

SHADOW TRAPUNTO is a trapunto stitched on a sheer fabric. Some quilters use batiste, I use organza.

Thread for stitching the trapunto design For stitching the design through fabric and batting you need water soluble thread. Use it in the needle and in the bobbin. If you don’t have water-soluble thread at hand, you could try the technique with invisible (monofilament) thread.

Trapunto Batting For the trapunto design, use a high loft, fluffy polyester batting, like Poly-fil Hi Loft by Fairfield, Hobbs Poly Down Plus or Quilters Dream Puff.

The thicker the batting, the better the visual effect given by trapunto, but keep in mind that a batting that is too thick is harder to trim and it also makes the final quilting a little more difficult.

You can use cotton batting or cotton-polyester blend, as well. The felt-like batting (like cotton) is harder to cut away than the fluffy polyester batting.

If you have a low loft batting, you can use two layers.

See in these pictures the batting I usually use for trapunto/shadow trapunto.

Sewing machine needles I use Topstitch or Jeans needles for sewing the trapunto design and for the final quilting.

Trapunto and Shadow Trapunto Tutorials  2018 Geta Grama; https://www.getasquiltingstudio.com/ 3

Cutting the batting away

If this task scares you, here are 3 tips that make it easier.

1. Fabric Starch the fabric used for trapunto; cutting the batting away is easier and with fewer chances to clip the fabric if the fabric is stiff – so starch it WELL.

2. The scissors This thread snip (thread clipper) is the best tool for trimming the batting. I did not even try other scissors, because it is fantastic. The short blades allow better control while trimming, meaning- again- fewer chances to clip the fabric. Keep always the fabric flat while you trim the batting.

3. Holes in fabric (or organza)

No matter how carefully you trim the batting away, sometimes the fabric gets clipped. Do not worry, you will cover the hole with a dense quilting, in the final quilting stage. But before that, thread a needle with a contrasting thread and tie a knot near the hole; this will remind you where the hole is and that you have to repair it.

Final quilting For the final quilting, I find the quilting is easier if you use a cotton batting in the middle of the quilt sandwich.

How to make trapunto quilts

Materials List for this small sample – top fabric, batting (cotton), backing :16”x 16” – additional layer of batting for trapunto: 14”x14” – washable marker

Print the design at the end of this file (the last two pages). Tape the pages together. To easily tape one page to another, remove the right margin of the first page (cut on the red dashed line) and tape the first page to the second page, and so on across the row. Use a similar method to tape the rows together (if the pattern has more pages).

Trapunto and Shadow Trapunto Tutorials  2018 Geta Grama; https://www.getasquiltingstudio.com/ 4

Transfer the design to fabric, using a washable marker. Pin the trapunto batting to the back of the marked fabric.

Stitch on the design lines, through the 2 layers. Use the water soluble thread.

Stitching on the right side of fabric Stitching on the wrong side of fabric Trapunto and Shadow Trapunto Tutorials  2018 Geta Grama; https://www.getasquiltingstudio.com/ 5

Trim the batting away as close to the stitching line as possible.

Then make the usual sandwich for a quilt: add batting and backing then quilt.

For the trapunto design, stitch on top of the previous stitching done with water- soluble thread or just a little outside the stitching line. Keep the batting enclosed by stitching.

On the background, a dense stippling works just fine.

Then wash the quilt to get rid of the washable thread and the marking lines.

Trapunto and Shadow Trapunto Tutorials  2018 Geta Grama; https://www.getasquiltingstudio.com/ 6

The design looks great- stitched twice, but outlined with a single stitching line, after washing.

Trapunto and Shadow Trapunto Tutorials  2018 Geta Grama; https://www.getasquiltingstudio.com/ 7

Here is another example of trapunto (the design is from my Happy Heart appliqué pattern)

Trapunto and Shadow Trapunto Tutorials  2018 Geta Grama; https://www.getasquiltingstudio.com/ 8

How to make shadow trapunto quilts

Materials List for this small sample

– organza, top fabric, batting, backing :16”x 16” – additional layer of batting for trapunto: 14”x14”

Organza There are many types of organza on the market, the best one used for this technique has a stiff, crisp feel and it doesn't stretch excessively.

This technique is not only about the raised, puffy effect, it's also about the contrast between the white of the batting and the fabric underneath. That's why you don't necessarily have to use the thickest batting, a medium loft batting works as well. The fabric underneath the organza+trapunto design must be bold and bright.

Print the design. Use for printing a thin paper – it is easy to stitch through and tears away easily.

Place the organza over the batting.

Add the paper pattern on top of (organza+batting) and pin through all the layers.

Trapunto and Shadow Trapunto Tutorials  2018 Geta Grama; https://www.getasquiltingstudio.com/ 9

Stitch on the lines through all the layers, using water soluble thread. Stitch with small stitches.

Trapunto and Shadow Trapunto Tutorials  2018 Geta Grama; https://www.getasquiltingstudio.com/ 10

Remove the paper.

Here is the stitching on the front side.

Trapunto and Shadow Trapunto Tutorials  2018 Geta Grama; https://www.getasquiltingstudio.com/ 11

And the stitching on the back.

Cut the batting away around the design.

Trapunto and Shadow Trapunto Tutorials  2018 Geta Grama; https://www.getasquiltingstudio.com/ 12

Now lay under the organza+trapunto design the layers of a regular quilt: top fabric +batting +backing.

Trapunto and Shadow Trapunto Tutorials  2018 Geta Grama; https://www.getasquiltingstudio.com/ 13

Quilt as desired through all the layers.

On the trapunto design, stitch on top of the previous stitching done with water-soluble thread or just a little outside the stitching line. Keep the batting enclosed by stitching. Usually I use white thread for this stitching.

On the background, stitch a dense quilting.

Then wash the quilt.

Trapunto and Shadow Trapunto Tutorials  2018 Geta Grama; https://www.getasquiltingstudio.com/ 14

Here is another example of shadow trapunto (design from my applique Peppermint Candy pattern).

Trapunto and Shadow Trapunto Tutorials  2018 Geta Grama; https://www.getasquiltingstudio.com/ 15

Print the designs on the next pages.

Design #1 and Design #2:14’’; Design #3: 10’’

Enjoy your new quilts! Geta Geta’s website: www.getasquiltingstudio.com Email Geta: [email protected] ------Copyright Information: © 2018 Geta Grama This pattern is for your personal use only! Copying and distributing of this pattern is prohibited.

For other quilt and bag pattern ideas, please visit my pattern store. Click on the image below.

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