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Classic Trapunto with an Embroidery Machine (Anita Goodesign)

We Carry
by Sara Snuggerud in Embroidery

Wikipedia states: Trapunto, from the Italian for “to embroider,” is a method of quilting that is also called “stuffed technique.” A puffy, decorative feature, trapunto utilizes at least two layers, the underside of which is slit and padded, producing a raised surface on the quilt. The style originated in Italy before the 14th century.

Today, Trapunto has been even more simplified with the use of an embroidery machine.

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By using the “Classic Trapunto” design collection from Anita Goodesign, we have created a whole cloth looking quilt in the matter of hours instead of days or weeks. This collection has 20 different Trapunto blocks with options to stitch them in a variety of ways. They also can be embroidered in four different sizes to depending on your embroidery machines largest hoop size. The blocks shown in the video and in these pictures are an 8” block size.

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Anita Goodesign Classic Trapunto collection can also be embroidered inside an embroidered pieced block. How cool is that! Those outside triangles are pieced in the hoop! No sewing machine is used until you want to sew the FINISHED blocks together at the end.

So many fabric options can change the final look of this technique. Select either velvet or silk dupioni to add an extra dimension to the Trapunto blocks.

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The general steps to trapunto via the embroidery machine is as follows:

  1. Hoop on layer of cut-away mesh stabilizer and stitch the first placement square.
  2. Layers on piece of cotton batting on top of the stabilizer and stitch another outline square.
  3. Trim the cotton batting down to the stitching line.
  4. Layer one piece a high loft batting on top of the cotton batting and cover with a layer of water solubable stabilizer.
  5. Stitch the trapunto design.
  6. Trim away the high loft batting next to the stitching line and remove as much water soluble stabilizer as possible.
  7. Layer top fabric over the entire batting and hold in place with blue painters tape.
  8. Finish stitching the rest of the design. Done!

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