INSPIRE :: Trapunto My Way

This isn't the first time I've done Trapunto and it won't be the last!  I'm pretty sure the way I do it isn't the proper way Trapunto is done, but my method works for me.  Which is why I like to call it Faux Trapunto!

INSPIRE
12" X 20"

We all have people, things or places that inspire us on a daily basis.  One definition of Inspire is:  fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.  I think that pretty much sums it up for me.  Often I'll get that feeling and can't seem to shake it until I do something with it.  In my case it's almost always in the form of a quilt.



A few days ago I came across a batting panel I started many months ago.  Since I'm going through a 'use my stash' phase, this was the perfect opportunity to apply that in a slightly different way.  While I still used my stash, I also used a previous project that has languished by the wayside!

To make the panel I used 12 different shades of solids arranging them until I was pleased with the color placement.  Making improv curves is so satisfying!  We all say it, but it is liberating!  



This is the batting panel I found and used.  And this is where my method might be a bit different!  I use batting scraps that are cut in 1 1/2" strips.  Although I can't be certain of that it's been so long!  I take those strips, fold them in thirds and zig zag stitch down the center creating a 'batting rope'.

On the large piece of batting I draw my lettering/word, and then mold and form the letters cutting and puzzling until I'm satisfied.  I use washable school glue and a hot iron to set the rope.  



From there I lay my panel and pin in the usual quilt sandwich.  In order to see and know where the lettering is, I use a Hera Marker and carefully trace around each letter.

 

Here it is after I quilted around the letters.  The easiest way I've found to do that is by using my zipper foot.  It gets very little actual zipper action, but it works well for Faux Trapunto!  After attaching the foot, I adjust the needle position so that it is as close to the batting rope as possible.  

This is a slow process.  But one that gives me total control...as long as I take it slow and steady.  One day I think I'll try free motion quilting around the lettering, but for now I'll stick to what works.

After that it's the main event which I get back to using my walking foot.

  

I used 4 or 5 different thread colors and did a massive amount of matchstick quilting.  There are some tricky parts to quilt in and around the letters.  I do what I can with my walking foot around the letters, but the inside of the letters I had to FMQ.  To me, they need quilting in order to make the word stand out even more.  



I used a tutorial from Audrey of Cotton & Bourbon for the faced binding.  This is the second time I've used Audrey's tutorial and love it!  Her method uses one layer of fabric with a folded edge, which makes this type of binding less bulky around the corners.  

There might not be any quilting better than matchstick quilting!  I love the texture it creates.

As I said earlier, I've done this technique in various forms.  Here are a few links in case you're curious and want to see more:

CREATE, INSPIRE #1, CROSS CUT QAL, ELECTRIC HEART and FLAMES

I do like to push the limits or the norms once in a while.  It's nice to be able to explore and try ideas without worrying about making sure it's done the proper way.  Whatever works for you and you are comfortable with it...you should do it!  

LINKING:

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After Inspire ~ We Create

Inspire.  Once that happens, it's time to create!  Right?!  I have to say, this past month has been all about gettin' it done.  Ideas!  I've had so many of those it makes my head spin!  My problem is once that idea takes root, I feel I need to act on it immediately.  And then there is the other side: idea, execute, improve upon said idea.

'CREATE'
11 1/2 x 31"

Remember the Inspire quilt?  Well, I felt there were plenty of areas I could improve and explore. Tweak a technique, that I like to call 'Faux Trapunto', to see if I could up the ante a bit!

This piece was not suppose to happen, at least not this soon.  Sunday was the day I would quilt a piece that was inspired (that word again!) by color.  The problem was I didn't have a clear idea how I wanted to quilt it.  So, I set it aside.  

I was so focused on making 'Create' that I didn't take a single picture of my progress!  I knew I wanted to use lower case letters and make them small.  They ended up being roughly 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" and it gave me a starting point.



I began piecing the grey and white scraps haphazardly together in sections until I was sure there were enough to finish the top.

The real test was piecing the improv to the colored pieces!  It's always interesting, but nearly always comes together eventually.

With the top finished, the next step is the letters.  I had my batting strips ready to go, my glue bottle handy and the iron heated up.  The tricky part was getting the letters and the top aligned. After some fiddling and repositioning, it came together.



It was so much easier to quilt lower case letter!  With the 'Inspire' quilt, I tried to quilt around the words as close to the batting as I could.  I was please with it, but totally.  This time, I used my zipper foot and adjusted the needle.  This time I was 100% satisfied!



I grabbed my variegated pastel thread and went crazy after that!  Visual interest, rainbow color and making those letters standout was the goal.

  

Next up, quilt the background!  Free motion quilting tiles worked with the design and I always have so much fun doing it!

  

The binding is random scraps, most of which were pieces left over from other bindings.  It's always a good idea to save the extra pieces for such occasions!  

Then another idea came up!  Again.  Does it ever end?!  Thankfully not!



Why not use the variegated thread and stitch on the binding?  So I did, and I like it. Looking at the overall piece, it isn't that noticeable.  


   
I had a hard time getting good pictures of this little bugger!  Auto color was not my friend with this!



Even so, I still played with a photo shot or two!  I'm loving the diamond shadow play from the deck rail!



Are there more ideas?  More words?  Of course.  I'm thinking a secret surprise mini is in order for some unsuspecting person!  But first I need to get caught up on my Epic BOM, design and write a tutorial for a block and make a couple pillows!



What word would you like to see using this method?  I see shapes and symbols and words, oh my!  There is never any limits when it comes to quilting!  

LINKING:

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Inspire ~ One Step Further

I recently asked a question on Instagram:  If you had to describe your favorite quilter using one word, what would it be?  The response was really interesting.  Bold, honest, passionate to inventive, fearless and creative.  What was the one word repeated over and over? Inspire.  I couldn't agree more!  So, I took that word and ran with it!  

'INSPIRE'
34 1/2" x 18 3/4"

INSPIRE:  Fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.

When I first tried this 'Faux Trapunto' on my Crosscut Quilt, I knew then and there I would be trying it again!  I had an idea and I was itching to test it out.  Again, I've never done real Trapunto.  I've adapted a method that works for me, or so it seems.  



Once I settled on this color combination, the design was pretty much set in stone.  I couldn't pass up the chance to do one of my favorite things...curves!  The jelly roll strips are Kona Cotton and they make curves a breeze!  Precut, perfect size and ready to go!



Even with this panel finished, I was far from confident that my idea for the Faux Trapunto was going to work.  Either it would or it wouldn't.  A risk I felt was worth taking.



The center panel was going to be the main event, but a border of some kind was needed.  I played around with ideas until something finally clicked.  Work it out as I go, my usual method.  I ended up making Confetti blocks and Improv blocks, and then connecting them with a third block featuring an imperfect strip down the middle.  No border for the sides, I have a plan for that!



Now was the time to see if my idea would come together.  This time I took my batting scraps and cut them to 1 1/2" wide.  I thought I would try rolling the strips instead of folding them like the first time.  I like that they were skinny, but it was a fail withe rolling!  Since I stitch the strips down the middle to keep them secure, they basically ended up flat anyway.  Ever changing and adapting!  

I was hoping the skinny strips of batting would make the cursive writing easy, and for the most part it did.  I used lots of pins while molding each letter!  I ran in to a few issues with the loops of the letters.  I didn't want to go over letters and have double layers of batting.  A few snips here and there helped.  There are a couple letters I'm not thrilled with like the 'P' and the 'N'.  Next time, right?!



Now comes the fun part, or the part that mattered the most!  Using my Hera marker, I traced around the letters to make quilting a little easier.  There was a lot of 'feeling' where the extra batting was while I stitched too. It was slow going!  Trying to get as close as possible takes time.



With a sigh of relief that the letters were done, it was time for the best part of quilting.  Waves, curves...organic lines.  Or I thought it would be the best part.  Turns out it ended up being a pain in the butt big time!  

The first go around including changing thread colors for each color.  I quilted above the letters, below the letters and each end of the letters.  I soon discovered that wasn't enough, it looked ridiculous with out the quilting in between the curves and loops of the word.  This is where it was frustrating and difficult, but so worth it.  It created more definition making the text standout even more.  Of course, there were a lot of threads to bury in the end!



The plan for the sides was a matched pieced binding.  Carry the design to the edge.

 

I love how it turned out and so happy I didn't define it with a solid binding.  Taking the extra time was and is always worth it.




Pretty cool right?!  I find myself touching the back a little too often!  The quilting and the different thread colors stand out more on the back.  I also decided to add a hanging sleeve this time.  

   

I've always wanted to do a Word Quilt and I suppose this will qualify!  I didn't have this technique in mind when I wanted to do a work quilt, but for now this will do!  



I tried to keep the pictures and process to the bare minimum for this post, believe me, I had what seems like a hundred.  I couldn't stop taking pictures!  I thought about doing a two part series.  In the end I decided to share it all at once, I just couldn't help myself!



With the current discussion on derivative work on The Modern Quilt Guild blog, there seems to be a lot of confusion.  Me included.  I'd be crazy to say all my quilts are originals of mine, when in truth inspiration from everywhere influences me and my decisions.  Ain't no shame in that!

Inspire, be inspired, use inspiration.  

LINKING:

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