We love batting, right?! Even if it is that hidden layer in the middle of the quilt. It is as important as fabric! And in some situations, it becomes even more important than usual. I am thinking about the trapunto and shadow trapunto techniques.
You probably already know: trapunto is just a design enhanced with an additional layer of batting that gives it a pronounced “stuffed” effect.
So you make a sandwich from fabric and batting and stitch the design with water soluble thread.
The batting must be thick and fluffy…
This is what I usually use.
Then you cut away the excess batting. Some quilters find this task tedious, I find it rewarding, I LOVE it!
Then you add batting and backing and quilt as desired; heavy quilting is desired!!
Then you wash the quilt, to get rid of the first stitching done with water soluble thread. You will end up with an amazing texture on your quilt!
I used Aurifil 50wt for this final quilting; the beautiful gradation fabric is from the Gelato Ombre collection (Daiwabo for E.E Schenck, bought from equilter.com).
Trapunto is an absolutely fabulous technique, and you can use it in so many ways…
I haven’t made too many trapunto quilts, not because I don’t like it, but because…
I discovered something even more interesting…SHADOW Trapunto! A trapunto stitched on a sheer fabric. Most quilters use cotton batiste for this technique, I wanted something more transparent so I use organza.
I stitched the design through paper, you need something to stabilize the organza…
Cutting the batting away…
Then the endless fun begins… what background to put underneath??
I have made so many shadow trapunto quilts (gallery here). I even wrote a book, so here are a few more quilts, just to tempt you to try this technique!
So, what do you think about these technique? What could stop you from trying them?
You can do it even if you think you still need more free motion quilting practice…Cutting the batting away- you don’t need special skills for this!
Just look below at one of my first quilts! I am a little embarrassed! But I have made so much progress since then.
![[snowflakes-det.jpg]](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zhdt7wyWNpg/R1qVXNJs6xI/AAAAAAAAAIY/rA-y-i_EgCA/s1600/snowflakes-det.jpg)
And only because I wasn’t discouraged by my first attempts. I did not even think that they were so bad, actually, I was so proud of them!
![[6.jpg]](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zhdt7wyWNpg/SuhJLcb-CLI/AAAAAAAAFAo/WCzYgCYnfrQ/s1600/6.jpg)
Then I made better and better quilts…
So, do you want to try it?
Download below complete tutorials, some tips and tricks and 3 designs for your practice.
Happy quilting!
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING – GORGEOUS – I can’t say enough . Truly impressed .
Thank you so much, Dianne, glad you like them!
I am so impressed. These are absolutely spectacular. What kind of scissors do you use to cut away the batting?
Thank you, Susan, I am glad you like them,
For cutting the batting away, I use thread snips- I can’t live without them! I use them a lot when I sew!
Your work is so inspiring and gorgeous!!! Thank you for sharing all of your wonderful tips, tricks, techniques, and great patterns! You are very much appreciated!!!
Qué maravillosos trabajos, Geta!!!!!
Gracias por compartirlos.
Un abrazo.
Just love receiving your emails and seeing what beautiful creative quilting patterns, etc, that you sew.
I have a very small sewing machine and unable to quilt but still you inspire me.
Thank you
Your work is beautiful, such intricate style!
Sooooooo beautiful
Hier heb ik naar gezocht en gevonden. Erg veel dank voor alle mooie werkstukken.
Amazing!! You need to me on the Quilt Show in the USA. Your techniques and quilting is so well done. I’m wondering if for the trapunta could you digitize your design, sew it out with wash away stabilizer, cut away the excess batting and stabilizer, put onto your fabric and do the background FMQ. You would be restricted by hoop size but some of the embroidery machines have a large hoop and you might be able to multihoop. That might be harder than stitching through paper for a large project but for a small project like this tutorial it might work. Just a thought. I’m anxious to try some of your ideas. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thank you very much for your beauterful things!!!!!
Wonderful ideas!
This is some of the most beautiful quilting I think I’ve ever seen — just stunning!
Such beautiful work, so intricate. Thank you for sharing
Omg!! That is truly stunning..wow.
I’d imagine that patience is one of your virtues 😊 it would have to be. Well done 😀 just amazing and thanku 😊
Hello Geta,
Well, I “found” you a while back and was sooooo impressed and your patterns knocked my socks off. I have made a few and then realised that I could make two. The positive, and also use the negative. I also live in a country lacking a quilting tradition. I know no one who quilts, as you. Also Jinny Beyer was one of the first quilts I ever saw. Her beautiful fabrics with the Indian influence just overwhelmed me, and it was then that I decided to quilt. I also bought the Block of the month 2015 quilt of hers on the old Craftsy site. She gave one tutorial per month, and by that means I expected to learn a great deal. Sadly, I didn’t get it done that year and when Craftsy closed I could not get the lessons. So now I don’t even have the pattern. Well a kit…… no pattern…….no lessons. A disappointment indeed. BUT. Your wonderful creativity has helped me tremendously. I free motion, using your hand grip and find it so easy compared to the ubiquitous method. Thank you for that alone. And a huge thank you for everything you have helped me with. You are extremely generous. Thank you again.