Sunday, August 4, 2013

Do we ever stop learning!

Block ten has been started!  I have decided to get a couple of the vase blocks taken care of before the summer ends.  They are a bit more time consuming, but I find them fun to stitch. This will be the second vase block I have done for this quilt, and you know what they say about third time's the  charm. So, for my third vase block I will attempt to actually weave basket reeds!
One of my favorite things about quilting is there are so many different techniques and ways to make a quilt, let alone endless patterns. There is always something to challenge me. So with the help of Tim Latimer's great tutorial and some inspiration from the Facebook Group Celebrate Hand Quilting. I have spent several hours today trying a technique called trapunto. There are several methods to achieve a trapunto look, but I am using the method that uses a large darning needle and yarn. As you see in the picture below it is hard to see the feathered wreath on my Amish Ice Cream Social quilt. So, I thought a little trapunto might spice it up.

There are four wreaths in the body of the quilt that cross over the intersections of the blocks. I spent about four hours today adding the trapunto to one wreath, but what a difference it makes! I want to submit this quilt to our local annual viewer's choice quilt show in September, so now I am committed to getting the other three done. At least I left myself plenty of time!
The final photo is a picture of the whole quilt with just one wreath completed so that you can see the difference that the trapunto makes.  I wish I had more time to add trapunto to the cable feather border, but I know I wouldn't get done in time for the show. But who knows, maybe someday, I 'll decide it needs to be done. I will take a few breaks today and head over to Kathy's blog to see what others are hand stitching this Sunday.

14 comments:

  1. Such beautiful quilting! Lovely feathers

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    1. Thanks Carla! I have always loved feathers, and the trapunto makes them stand out and get recognized.

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    1. Not really BillieBee! Applique is one stitch at a time. I find it much easier than piecing!

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  3. Oh wow - that trapunto feather really stands out!!! That's another technique I want to play with someday when I have more time :*) And your basket will be perfect when you are done!

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    1. Tim Latimer's video really explains it well, if you plan to use the yarn and needle method. I am using my husband's late grandmother's old darning needle. I bet it thought it's life was over, but it has been promoted from darning socks to doing trapunto!

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  4. the woven basket does look quite challenging but i bet that it's going to look fantastic when finished.

    your string star quilt is wonderful and i LOVE all of that hand quilting~!
    it's amazing how the trapunto adds so much depth to the quilting and really stands out beautifully~!

    :-)
    libbyQ

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    1. Thank you Libby, it really needed to be done, so much stitching in those wreaths, now they have equal standing to the rest of the quilt! I love the balance of quilting design to fabric design.

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  5. Carla that is wonderful ! doesn't the trapunto make a difference! It is already a gorgeous quilt but this will make it extra special if you can take the time. I am in the middle of adding machine trapunto to my wreaths on my quilt and I do hope they look as good as that!
    Hilda

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    1. Hilda, I am sure they will! It doesn't get any better than the balance of applique and quilting design! Can't wait to see your Carolina Lily, but great things come with time!

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  6. That is amazing how the trapunto gives the quilting design so much more texture!
    Thanks for linking up and showing us this neat idea!

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    1. It sure does make a difference. I have wanted to try this for a long time, I was a bit disappointed that my hand quilted wreaths got lost even using a solid fabric, so this has been the perfect solution.

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  7. I did weaving on a quilt block but was stitching it by machine and did not like the look. I have not tried it yet with hand applique stitches.

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    1. I don't like anything I do by machine, even piecing! That is why I love applique. I have also discovered that string quilts are right up my alley! LOL

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