Anita Goodesign has released a new trapunto design set. Their Christmas Trapunto project was so beautiful and popular that they created another trapunto collection using classic quilting designs. There are more than 40 different designs in this collection. The instructions say stretch velvet can be used for the base fabric with  silk dupioni for the borders. The information in the package indicates the resulting quilt has a very modern feeling. I decided to sew some of the quilt blocks using quilters cotton to see how the blocks sew out with more traditional materials.

Supplies:

Classic Trapunto design CD by Anita Goodesign
Floriani No Show mesh
Batting
Base fabric of your choice
Thread to match base fabric

The CD includes complete step-by-step directions with pictures of each step. This blog shows the significant points in the process as I sewed a block with the quilters cotton materials.

Instructions:

1. Stitch step one of the design on the Floriani No Show mesh.  This is the squaring stitch. You can see the feed dogs and bobbin cover of my machine through the mesh.

2. Add batting. Make sure it completely covers the squaring stitch. Tape the batting in place.
3. Stitch the next step of the design (which is the tacking stitch for the batting – not shown).
4. Remove the hoop from the machine, do NOT remove the fabric from the hoop. Trim away the batting as close as possible to the tacking stitch (not shown).
5. Stitch the next step of the design. This is the placement stitch for the second layer of batting (not shown).
6. Place poly batting or 2 layers of cotton blend batting down so it covers the second placement stitch (not shown).

7. Stitch the next step of the design which tacks down the extra batting layers and creates the trapunto effect. NOTE: I had to raise the presser foot on my single needle machine to create clearance for the high loft of the batting and to avoid distortion or dragging of the batting.

8. Remove the hoop from the machine. Without removing fabric from the hoop, trim away the batting as close as possible to the tacking stitch.
9. Place the top fabric on top of the batting so that it completely covers the entire design. The fabric needs to extend at least 1” past the squaring stitch on all sides.
10. Tape the fabric in place.
11. Stitch the tacking stitch.
12. The next stitch will be the stippling. The stippling thread should match the fabric.
13. The final step of the design is the design stitch.
14. Trim your seam allowance to 1/2” from the squaring stitch.

Even with quilters cotton, the 3D effects of this block look very similar to its photo in the design pack.