Monday, March 21, 2011

I have a new love and it's name is...

But wait, I have to start at the beginning. It was National quilting day on the 19th and it should be called international quilting day by the way. Anyway, it's become a yearly ritual to pull this double wedding ring quilt out for some hand quilting. The weather is cooling enough to hand quilt. Even I roll my eyes at how long (years) I'm making this one last.
I read a great post over at Fabric Therapy that Teresa has written on her observations on how batting choice affects how quilting stitches look and I agree with everything she says and it made me think of this quilt.

My favourite batting for hand quilting to date has been the Quilters Dream 100% cotton, request weight.
It gives a great drape with the antique crinkled look I love. Maybe I should have gone for wool.
The one thing that's been nagging me is how the feathered quilting disappears with no definition. All that work and it doesn't show.
Last year at the Sydney quilt show, there was a special exhibition featuring selected quilts by Gai Haines. Gai does amazing hand quilting and trapunto to die for.
Look at these folded over trapuntoed feathers on her Baltimore quilt, sigh. I did talk to Gai about her methods and filed it away in my brain for one day.
Photos shown with permission.
One day has arrived and you guessed it, my new love is called trapunto. I just knew at the back of my mind that this is what I could do to accentuate my feathers. First a little try out in the melon shape.
Well I loved it so much that I just decided to dive in and go for it. What a transformation! Maybe I just love this quilt so much that I'm doing everything I can to make the quilting last.
Did you  manage to get some stitching done for quilting day? Next time I'll tell you how I tackled the trapunto.

77 comments:

Nat Palaskas said...

Thanks to the National quilting day to see your double wedding rings quilt again. I saw it on your banner the first time I visited you. It's lovely so make it last a bit longer lol! Hugs Nat

Oops-Lah said...

Trapunto makes indeed a huge difference in the appearance of your quilted feathers. I've only done "fake" trapunto by machine, so I'm eager to see how you do it. Your quilt is stunning by the way.

YankeeQuilter said...

Amazing how much is adds to the quilting! Can't wait to hear about your technique...

Lisa said...

Oh Janet, you do inspire me. Is there anything you can't do? I thought this looked fabulous in the first picture, but after getting to the end and seeing it with the trapunto, it's so beautiful it makes my heart ache. I think this is my favorite thing you've done. So far...

Sheila said...

What a beautiful quilt, made more so by the trapunto. It will be a family heirloom, treasured for years to come I am sure.

Pokey said...

It's amazing the difference it makes, Janet! This is a fabulously beautiful quilt top, the blends of prints make one sigh.
:-}pokey

Janet said...

I am so eager to hear about your trapunto. I LOVE how it brings out the feathers in your quilt - just beautiful!! I'm always drawn to the antique quilts with trapunto in books of old quilts - it really makes the handquilting special.
Gai Haines quilting is spectacular.

Dorothy said...

WOW! That looks fabulous. Can't believe it could make such a difference. Now that you are raring to go, we should see a finish - soon.

Dora, the Quilter said...

I too love Quilter's Dream Request. I use it for machine quilting, but would also use it for hand quilting if I ever can manage enough time to do that again.
Your quilt is beautiful, even without the trapunto.

Taryn said...

What a difference the trapunto makes in the definition of your feathers. It made me giggle, though. Your trapunto feathers reminded me a little bit like the before and after of, ahem, a particular plastic surgery procedure.

Lurline said...

Janet, your little fingers are God-given - you seem to be able to make anything shine. A good point you have raised here and I look forward to watching progress!
Hugs - Lurline♥

Liz said...

Wow, I'll be watching for how you do it Janet..
Lizzie
xxx

Joanne said...

WOW - the trapunto made a huge difference - looks fabulous!!♥

Funoldhag said...

That is an awesome quilt! And even more awesome with the trapunto. Glorious!

Julia said...

OMG Janet...I have told you before how much I love this quilt ...from the day I saw it on your blog header...
What an amazing difference the trapunto makes...it's like "magic"...(my fav word lately)
I'm sure this will make you want to finish it now...
Love, love it!
Julia ♥

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Amazing difference! Amazing quilt.

Dolores said...

What a difference a little bit of stuffing makes. Beautiful.

Sewjournal said...

Janet that looks amazing. What a difference.

broderie said...

it is beautiful janet, i know why you love it, great work it is, well done to you !

Solveig Bloch said...

Oh,What a beautiful quilt! The trapunto looks fabulous!!

Sue SA said...

Talk about eye popping, what a great result! Happy quilting Sue SA.

antique quilter said...

wow , isn't it amazing how hand quilting just makes a quilt but adding the trapunto puts this quilt in the HEIRLOOM category.
can't wait to learn how you did it
Kathie

Shirley said...

The comment a bit further up made me smile - imagine calling it botox quilting. Trapunto sounds much more romantic. It is a fabulous piece of work and my pleasure to see it again. Thank you.
Love Shirley.x

Anonymous said...

What an amazing difference! I shall file that idea away for another day!!

Mia said...

Oh my....!!!!!

I really love this Quilt! I just had a look on the earlier Photos you posted and I.... I simply can't find any words to say how much I like it! It's definitely one of the most beautiful Quilts I've ever seen!!!

Thank You for sharing the pictures!

Mia

Kaaren said...

You are definitely succeeding in making something that's already beautiful into a work of art.

Simply gorgeous transformation, Janet. I'm really looking forward to see how you do it.

Sarah said...

It looks absolutely AMAZING! Wow!!! This quilt is just so so so beautiful. Sigh!

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

What a huge difference the trapunto makes. It looks stunning!

Barb said...

Your quilt is going to be soooo amazing once you get it finished....love it! also love the other quilts you posted.

Terry said...

Wow! That sure does make those feather pop! It looks great! :0)

Erin in MI said...

Oh my gosh!!! LOVE the trapunto! Your feathers fairly sing now - they are simply gorgeous. This is definitely one quilt where it will be worth the extra effort of doing the trapunto. Great job!

ranette said...

Wonderful Janet, just wonderful. You are a master at everything you do and I mean that in all sincerity!

I'm looking forward to the trapunto lesson!

Crispy said...

OMGosh what a difference that made!! Would you consider showing us how you did this?

Crispy

Abby and Stephanie said...

Totally WOW! You're the Queen of Quilting--machine and hand. It's already a stunning quilt but when you're finished it's really going to be a treasure.

Betsy said...

Janet, wow is all I have to say. Now, did you have to cut open the back to add the little pieces of batting for the trapunto?

Pinkadot Quilts said...

It's a gorgeous quilt I can see why you want to take your time. The trapunto really was a great idea, I can't wait to see this finished!

Thimbleanna said...

WOW! What a difference! I REALLY want to know how you did it. Will you go back to all the feathers that you've already quilted and somehow stuff them too?

*karendianne. said...

Now here we go - something really super duper amazing. Makes an early morning blogger wake up and take notice!!!

Ann Champion said...

Your quilt is my most favorite version of a DWR I've ever seen. I thought the quilting was gorgeous too. Then you added stuffing to the feathers..(how did you do that?) and it kicked it up a notch! Just amazing Janet. I'm happy to see working on this stunner again. :)

Jill said...

Well, I agree with everyone else!Just BEAUTIFUL! Funny thing...I was just thinking last night how I could try out some trapunto on a little quilt I am working on. If it doesn't look too hard, I might give it a try. Can't wait for you to show us how you did it!

Fischtown Lady said...

oh, what's a difference. It´s so amazing! The trapunto is enchanting. Greetings, Marita

Lisa Coulombe said...

Wow, what a difference! I love it!

Lori said...

You always manage to find a way to improve something that is already awesome. I look forward to the next post.

Michele said...

Wow! What a wonderful difference. I have long wanted to try trapunto, so I can't wait to see how you went about it. Michele

Cathi said...

Stunning! I am so curious to read about your method of doing trapunto!

Joan said...

How absolutely beautiful!! How DID you do that wonderful trapunto???

Nedra said...

From someone who sends their quilts out to be quilted: I stand in awe. Beautiful work!

Pat said...

That lovely texture gets my heart rate up...perfectly beautiful!

Mitt lille rosa syrom said...

Adorable - I love DWR, have to make a big one. Maybe in my next life...

Paula, the quilter said...

I hope you aren't going to wait until the next Quilting Day to tell us how you tackled the trapunto. This quilt is so so lovely.

Barb said...

Stunning,you brought life to the quilt.Hm guess I'll be following your lead.

QueenB said...

your double wedding ring is beautiful. I too loved the applique from the quilt on the quilters newsletter and was disappointed to learn that no applique was included in the mag.
I will be watching your progress with interest it is simply lovely.

Miriam said...

What a beautiful transformation!!!

Thank you for the link.

I look forward to your next post! :)

Anonymous said...

What an absolutely gorgeous quilt!

Donna

Dixie Howard said...

Wow, amazing difference the trapunto makes. Can't wait to hear about your trapunto method as I've always been scared about cutting into the back to add the stuffing!

M and M plus 3 said...

I'll be checking back for sure to see how you did this. Looks great by the way!

Karen said...

Since you were already quilting the Double Wedding Ring, I am curious as to how you did the trapunto. The method I am familiar with would require the trapunto being done from beneath and not through your backing fabric. It is gorgeous.

Ivory Spring said...

Love love love your feather makeover! :)

Sharon@LoftyQuilts.com said...

I just recently learned of and saw a demonstration of trapunto on 'the quilt show' and am now obsessed with it being my next learning challenge. Can't wait for your post!

Janet said...

OMG what a difference. It is gorgeous. I bet you will get a lot
of quilting done on it now.
I look forward to your tutorial.

Andrea, the little collector said...

Wow, that trapunto makes all the difference, right? Can't wait to hear the how-to! What a truly beautiful quilt!

Avon said...

Wow!! what a difference. I can hardly wait to find out how it's done. The quilt isn't shabby either!!

AnnieO said...

This gorgeous quilt is truly a long labor of love! The trapunto is staggeringly effective! It's a lot of work but the look is just beautiful.

Teresa Rawson said...

Wow Janet, the trapunto adds so much! I'm always happy to see when you are working on that gorgeous double wedding ring quilt. And thank you for sharing Gai Haines' quilt. Trapunto has always been such a mystery to me, so I look forward to following your adventures using this new method. Thanks for the mention of my post!

In stitches,
Teresa :o)

mariarosaria said...

Che meraviglia!!!!!Vuoi visitare il mio blog e partecipare al concorso Internazionale PROFUMI D'ORIENTE? Sei meravigliosamente brava!!!!!!!

Carrie P. said...

Oh, my goodness what a difference. I guess that means you are taking out some quilting.
Looks fabulous.

Rose Marie said...

Goodness .... the trapunto is wonderful! I took a class on trapunto a number of years ago and will be curious to see what you are using for a filler.

Jillian said...

It's glorious! I'd be so excited it would be hard to put it down after seeing how the trapunto steps it up.

Sonja♥ said...

This quilt is breathless, Janet!!!!
I LOVE the variation of coulours in this flowered motif (not sure that my frenglish is good enough to tell you what I feel for your quilt)
Should you one day open a shop, I would be honored to afford this one (but I'm pretty sure you would never sell it;)))
MAGNIFIQUE!!!

Meredith said...

you know I love hand quilting. the photos are a real treat for a gal like me. :)

Litamora's Quilt & Design said...

What a lovely trapunto, agree it looks much better than without. A lovely quilt! Stunning!
Happy quilting,
Laila

Tina said...

My grandmother made several double wedding ring quilts! I love them, but this is the most beautiful one I have ever seen. I actually bought the templates when I saw this one on your site the first time! It just keeps getting better and better!

Thanks for sharing!

Katie said...

Wow. A lesson in how to make a beautiful quilt even more beautiful! :-)

wendywoo63 said...

Just stunning Janet even without the Trapunto your quilt is wonderful, love the way you have blended light through to dark in the rings and adore the fabrics used. You are brilliant great inspiration to us all

Robin said...

Oh my gosh! Adding that trapunto made such a difference in the look of the quilting. It is beautiful, Janet!

Chicken said...

I love your double wedding ring quilt! How did you get your rings so round? I’ve been searching high and low for a pattern that reduces round rings and every single one I’ve seen looks wrong. Several local shops I’ve visited even suggested that it’s not suppose to be round, but round is what I want! Lol 🤦‍♀️

Chicken said...

Produces round rings I mean