Is it possible to do an "in the hoop" trapunto?
 

I've been trying to work out the logistics for this and I'm about ready to say it can't be done. What do I mean by "in the hoop trapunto"? In general:

1. Hoop the lofty or double batting and the block top.
2. Quilt the "puffy" area
3. Trim the batting
4. Layer the final batting
5. Quilt the fill in

All without removing the block from the hoop. Can't be done right? Even if I remove the batting from the back of the hoop, you still have to un hoop to put on the final batting in order to quilt in the fill which is what, I've read, really makes the puffy pop.

I'm cool with if it can't be done but I wanted to chat with you guys to see if I'm missing something.

Thanks,

Joann

I'd do it, but I would remove it from the hoop to trim the batting. Just mark the center lines to get it lined back up.

There are some designs that I'd hesitate to do that, but I think this one you could with good enough results. And if you only did the puffy part with the center motif, it would be a lot less challenging to get it lined back up. Finding a design that was intended for applique would be the easiest to start with.

I would also float the batting and top fabric. I'd only hoop the stabilizer. If you keep everything tight and flat, you may not get much "poof"

I've done shadow trapunto on a regular machine - using water soluble thread for the initial sewing of the batting - then you cut the batting and stitch it to the background fabric.

I'd also think that if you just did this with a high loft batting, you may get similar results as the open area of the center is going to be more poofy than the densily quilted area around it.

Batting might be what makes the difference. Have you tried temporary spray basting final batting and backing to back of hoop? Are you doing a QAYG project?

Just float the batting on top of the stabilizer and put the fabric on top of the stabilizer. Then you can trim the batting out after you do the stitching. Never take it out of the hoop because you might not get it lined up again. This is how all the in hoop quilt blocks are done.

I forgot to say there are some sites that have trapunto designs for in the hoop. Just do a google search for trapunto in the hoop

There should be a pdf file with the design with steps. You can also run through each step of the design on the EMB machine without stitching.

Typically, hoop no show mesh. Lay down background batting and cut to size as indicated on the tack down stitches. Then lay down trapunto batting and trim to size. Then lay down the background fabric and stitch out the design, stippling etc.

The machine will tack down the background. Keep it ITH. You only remove the hoop from the EMB arm. Do not remove the fabric/batting from the hoop until completely finished stitching.

Trim the block to size.

I mark cross-hairs on the background fabric in case of hoop mishaps. Easier to re-hoop and re-position.

this is the best advice.
there are a few different ways to approach it.
even if you don't buy any of the commercially available patterns for trapunto in the hoop, you'll be able to see examples, tutorials, etc. on some of those approaches.

steps i've seen most often:
hoop backing fabric
float the batting
float water soluble stabilizer on top of the batting
stitch
cut away the excess batting and stabilizer
float the top fabric
finish stitching

this is an over-simplified list of steps
you will want to try as many different methods as possible using test fabric and batting.

i've played around with it a little.
haven't yet had the time or temerity to jump in with both feet. lol

All - thank you for your advice.

I did some experimenting with floating the batting & top fabric using the spray. I also used a smaller batting - just the size of the trapunto area. That worked really well. Re-hooping went OK too but I'd rather not. I'll keep playing around.

As a note - there were instructions. I wasn't overly impressed with them.

Glad you could figure out the steps for the project. There are such different methods for this technique. Sometimes instructions just seem backwards and somehow we find our own way is better. LOL.

You have inspired me to try a block or two to see what it is all about. It is a beautiful detail in the quilt blocks. I'm still not sure why the re-hooping step is needed. To help with re-hooping mark the corners of the hoop with a removable marking pen. That way you have reference points.

Have fun!

I settled on this:
1. Hoop the stabilizer
2. Spray/layer the puffy batting
3. Stich the trapunto pattern
4. Trim
5. Spray/layer the cotton batting and top fabric
6. Stitch the trapunto pattern and then the fill.

My sampler:
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