Trapunto/Poly Batt Question
#1
Trapunto/Poly Batt Question
I have played a little with trapunto before but am working on my first small whole cloth project. I want to puff the living daylights outta the designs on this thing! LOL* I bought some cheapie poly high loft batting in a bag from Wal-mart for experimenting. Can you guys who do this a lot tell me, do you use poly for the whole quilt too? I was thinking, do the trapunto work on the areas I want super puffy, cut away, then layer the whole lot on top of another high loft poly hunk and quilt densly around the puffy areas to make it stand out more. Does that make sense? Is this how you do it? This is my first whole cloth/trapunto project so I would love to hear thoughts and suggestions!
#2
Sorry cant help you much as to advise you what to you or do but I love trapunto and it is in my bucket list (looks like a warehouse now) and I just bought a book last week written by a QB member (Geta Grama) and it is wonderful and the instruction sounds so easy but haven't tried any yet. The book is called Shadow Trapunto Quilts
Good luck
Good luck
#3
The trapunto part will stand out more if the areas around it are flatter. When I did it, I used a poly for the trapunto area and W&N cotton for the whole quilt. You can also use a poly for the whole quilt and just quilt more densely on the areas surrounding the trapunto to get it flatter.
Experiment with both on small scraps and see what you like best.
Experiment with both on small scraps and see what you like best.
#4
The trapunto part will stand out more if the areas around it are flatter. When I did it, I used a poly for the trapunto area and W&N cotton for the whole quilt. You can also use a poly for the whole quilt and just quilt more densely on the areas surrounding the trapunto to get it flatter.
Experiment with both on small scraps and see what you like best.
Experiment with both on small scraps and see what you like best.
#5
Sorry cant help you much as to advise you what to you or do but I love trapunto and it is in my bucket list (looks like a warehouse now) and I just bought a book last week written by a QB member (Geta Grama) and it is wonderful and the instruction sounds so easy but haven't tried any yet. The book is called Shadow Trapunto Quilts
Good luck
Good luck
Last edited by pumpkinpatchquilter; 12-08-2012 at 10:38 AM. Reason: spelling error
#6
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sturbridge, Ma
Posts: 3,992
It would be helpful to see the trapunto pattrn/design you are using there is a techniue where you cut ut the trapunto shape and then with a spot of glue to place it under the trapunto area then ad the second batting and quilt around the trapunto shapes. This will give the trapunto shape without stuffing the area. I have never been able to get the trapunto area stuffed evenly.
Last edited by Holice; 12-08-2012 at 11:48 AM.
#7
I have played a little with trapunto before but am working on my first small whole cloth project. I want to puff the living daylights outta the designs on this thing! LOL* I bought some cheapie poly high loft batting in a bag from Wal-mart for experimenting. Can you guys who do this a lot tell me, do you use poly for the whole quilt too? I was thinking, do the trapunto work on the areas I want super puffy, cut away, then layer the whole lot on top of another high loft poly hunk and quilt densly around the puffy areas to make it stand out more. Does that make sense? Is this how you do it? This is my first whole cloth/trapunto project so I would love to hear thoughts and suggestions!
#8
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
When I took classes in this, the recommendation was to use thin cotton for the overall quilting and puffy poly for the trapunto'd parts. At that time, we used water-dissolving thread to sew around the designs, then cut away the poly from the back -- kind of tedious, as you have to be very careful not to accidentally cut the top fabric!
Since then I have seen a different approach. Basically what you do is cut the trapunto design out of the poly, spray the design on one side with basting spray, and then position on the wrong side of the top fabric. Eliminates the problem of accidentally cutting the top and saves a lot of time. Probably the best way to cut out the trapunto design from poly is to delicately iron freezer paper (with the design traced on it) to the poly batting, cut the design out, then remove the freezer paper. You have to be *really* careful about iron temperature because poly batting melts if the iron is too hot.
Since then I have seen a different approach. Basically what you do is cut the trapunto design out of the poly, spray the design on one side with basting spray, and then position on the wrong side of the top fabric. Eliminates the problem of accidentally cutting the top and saves a lot of time. Probably the best way to cut out the trapunto design from poly is to delicately iron freezer paper (with the design traced on it) to the poly batting, cut the design out, then remove the freezer paper. You have to be *really* careful about iron temperature because poly batting melts if the iron is too hot.
#9
Yes, it sounds like you've got the right idea for sure. I've done a bit of trapunto and love the way it looks. I've used poly for both the trapunto and the overall layer of batting. The poly "packs" down nicely when you quilt it fairly densely. You might want to try a small experimental piece using the fabrics and battings you have picked out just to make sure you like the affect you get. Can't wait to see what you do with your trapunto!
I will post some pictures when I finish!
It would be helpful to see the trapunto pattrn/design you are using there is a techniue where you cut ut the trapunto shape and then with a spot of glue to place it under the trapunto area then ad the second batting and quilt around the trapunto shapes. This will give the trapunto shape without stuffing the area. I have never been able to get the trapunto area stuffed evenly.
When I took classes in this, the recommendation was to use thin cotton for the overall quilting and puffy poly for the trapunto'd parts. At that time, we used water-dissolving thread to sew around the designs, then cut away the poly from the back -- kind of tedious, as you have to be very careful not to accidentally cut the top fabric!
Since then I have seen a different approach. Basically what you do is cut the trapunto design out of the poly, spray the design on one side with basting spray, and then position on the wrong side of the top fabric. Eliminates the problem of accidentally cutting the top and saves a lot of time. Probably the best way to cut out the trapunto design from poly is to delicately iron freezer paper (with the design traced on it) to the poly batting, cut the design out, then remove the freezer paper. You have to be *really* careful about iron temperature because poly batting melts if the iron is too hot.
Since then I have seen a different approach. Basically what you do is cut the trapunto design out of the poly, spray the design on one side with basting spray, and then position on the wrong side of the top fabric. Eliminates the problem of accidentally cutting the top and saves a lot of time. Probably the best way to cut out the trapunto design from poly is to delicately iron freezer paper (with the design traced on it) to the poly batting, cut the design out, then remove the freezer paper. You have to be *really* careful about iron temperature because poly batting melts if the iron is too hot.
OH - now, I didn't think of this before. I stitched the whole design with white thread...but I will have to go back over it when I add the backing - NOW I understand why people use the water soluble thread!!! AH-HA!!!!! Thank you for this!!! I didn't realize what an accumulation of thread I'm going to have now. Oh well - thus the reason for EXPERIMENTING! Yes I see your point, tedius but much better result.
Any recommendations on water soluble threads and where to get them?
#10
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Superior Threads has two weights of water soluble threads. When I used the lighter weight (which is widely available elsewhere, not just at Superior), I had to sew carefully so as not to break the thread, which is quite delicate. I used regular thread in the bobbin (just match color to color of top; won't show through later). The heavier weight from Superior might be better for this application.
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