Geta,

You are so talented. Do you have an art degree? I ask because you are so creative. Did you just learn all of this on your own? Do you teach classes? Forgive me for being nosy, but I am curious where you got all of this talent.

Barbara, the golfer

Hi Barbara,

Thank you for your nice words, you are too kind.
I don't have any degree in art, I am engineer! But quilting is my passion and I quilt all day long. I learn all by myself, because here (Romania) quilting is unknown.

I don’t teach classes but I wrote an ebook about shadow trapunto.
It is on my website.
http://romanianquiltstudio.com/english/index.htm

Thank you all for the nice comments. I am glad you find the tutorial useful.

Happy quilting !

Geta...I got started on a small test of the shadow trapunto last night and am now taking off the paper. A question....my batting (high loft poly) didn't seem to be the same thickness over the whole piece (I know, probably cheap stuff)...will this have a huge negative effect?

I don't think so ! But pay attention at this detail next time.

I'm not really a free motion quilter, but in the classes that I have taken, they say the stitch length doesn't matter. In fact, they said to set it at ZERO. You regulate the length of the stitches according to how fast or slow you move the fabric.

That's an excellent tutorial Geta, thanks so much! :D I'm fairly new at this and will definitely try your technique of one hand under, one on top. I've been doing the two hands on top with gloves thing and sometimes I do feel like I'm 'forcing' the quilt along.

When you do the backstitches to start and finish, do you still hand sew the ends in or just trim them off? I've been sewing them in and it's the most boring job in the world!

I can't wait to try quilting over paper - I just did some heart shapes by tracing round freezer paper I ironed on, but never thought of actually quilting through paper! Much quicker and nicer than marking the top! I also love the squiggles you use for outlining - nice change from straight stitching.

Thanks so much for all the great ideas and inspiration. :D

PS Which model Pfaff do you have? I've been looking at them...

I just trim off the threads !

I have a Pfaff Select 1530. I bought it 8 years ago.

That is technically correct..you do set your stitch length to 0....unless you have a BSR for free motion...or when you are using your walking foot to quilt..then you will have a set stitch length. You are sharp eyed to catch that!