Wholecloth Quilts, Trapunto, and Boutis
History and Techniques
by Patricia L. Cummings
Section IV. An Overview of Trapunto Techniques
In this short section, we will look at various ways to do trapunto and books on the subject that will prove useful to anyone who would like to try the technique.
Traditional Method: Two pieces of fabric are layered. The perimeter of the design is quilted completely, then the motif is stuffed by separating the fibers on the back of the work. This was easier to do with homespun fabric, or loosely woven fabric.
Modern Method: Same technique as above, except that an X is slit on the back of the work through which stuffing is added. This is sewn closed, by hand. The disadvantage of this method is that the work looks unsightly from the back, and a second back should be added.
John Flynn Method: Start sewing around the design motif. Leave space to insert his specially designed tubular rod that has been stuffed with batting. Insert stuffing, and then sew completely around the area. Great method, especially with fine feathers motifs.
For some inspiring examples and clear directions, see: John Flynn's Step-by-Step Trapunto & Stippling book, ISBN: 0-9627889-2-9. Order toll free at 1-800-745-3596, or write to: Flynn Quilt Frame Company, 1000 Shiloh Overpass Road, Billings, Montana 59106, or visit: http://www.flynnquilt.com/links.html
Needle Trapunto
Another indispensable book on the subject is Trapunto: The Handbook of Stuffed Quilting by Sue H. Rodgers (Wheatridge, CO: Moon Over the Mountain Publishing Company, 1990). This book features stuffing techniques with yarn and needle, and a wide variety of lovely projects.
Machine Trapunto
Hari Walner has devised a way of doing trapunto work by machine and reveals her secrets, including the use of water soluble thread, in the 112 page paperback book, Trapunto Quilting (C&T Publishing, 1996). ISBN 1-57120-043-6, as well as two other books she wrote: Trapunto by Machine (1996), and Exploring Machine Trapunto: New Dimensions, (1999). Her technique helps to create evenly stuffed motifs, in an almost effortless manner.
Practice block with Hari's apple design
Shadow Trapunto
Some modern quilters like to do a technique called "Shadow Trapunto." This is accomplished by layering cotton batiste, backstitching or doing a running stitch around the entire motif and then "stuffing it" with a more deeply colored yarn, applied with a needle). This kind of work looks very nice on the bodice of a dress, on pillows, vests, and other items. Often, white batiste is used for this purpose, along with pastel color yarns, which show through the work.
"The Phat Batt" quilt above is shown here, courtesy of its maker, Karen McTavish, well known as a long-arm machine quilter and teacher. The 60" x 60" quilt features color trapunto, a technique discussed in her book, Whitework Quilting: Creative Techniques for Designing Wholecloth and Adding Trapunto to Your Quilts. See more of Karen's work at her website: www.designerquilts.com
Virginia Ivey and Her Masterpiece Quilts
A quintessential example of trapunto work can be seen in a quilt made by Virginia Ivey, pictured in the Newman book. The provenance that is quilted into the quilt, near the center of the work, indicates that the quilt's motifs depict an "1856 representation fairground near Russellville, KY." Considering all of its fine stuffed work, this quilt is quite large, about twin size. In addition, it sports a 14 ½" fringe.
A second, highly elaborate quilt made by the same quilter is entitled, "The Virginia Ivey Appliqué and Figural Stuffed-Work Quilt," circa 1850. This masterpiece, now held in the J.B. Speed Museum of Kentucky, features not only stuffed work of horses and other animals, and botanical designs in trapunto, but also a statue of statesman and four time presidential candidate, Henry Clay. A man on horseback is thought to be Andrew Jackson, according to America's Glorious Quilts, edited by Dennis Duke and Deborah Harding (NY: Hugh Lauter Levin Associates, Inc., 1987).
Le Trapunto Embelli is another (French magazine), a Magic Patch, Special Edition, Editions de Saxe, 1999, 92 pages in paperback. This issue offers information about embellished trapunto, including beading, embroidery, and shadow quilting.
Book on Trapunto, Published in 1974, Still Fun to View
Quilting, Patchwork, Appliqué, and Trapunto is the name of a book by Thelma R. Newman published by Crown Publishers, Inc., in New York. The book is a virtual treasure trove of designs, diagrams, and quilt styles, over time, including an example of an all-white, fringed, crib quilt from 1841, and a wholecloth indigo quilt that is calendered, and quilted with a pineapple and other motifs. The photos are all in black and white except for ones on the front cover. The book is a true mix of "modern" quilting, the art quilting of the 1970s, plus a look at more traditional methods, such as Hawaiian quilting and patchwork.
More to Say on the Topic of Wholecloth Quilts, Trapunto, and Boutis
We have seen that wholecloth quilts were made of linen, cotton, wool, and/or silk, all fibers from nature. We have mentioned a great number of books where you can view photos and learn more about wholecloth quilts, and trapunto and boutis techniques. We have provided links so that you can view old and new quilts online. We have also uploaded some photos for your education and inspiration.
Althought there is a lot of information in this five-part file, as always, there is more to say, and more to learn! We hope that you will be on the look out for more quilts of the type shared here. Wholecloth quilting is a centuries long tradition, both in Europe and in the United States.
Thanks To All Who Helped!
I would like to thank members of the British Quilt History list for encouraging me to write this article as a resource to all. In particular, I must thank Carole Kokinis for all of the information and lovely photos she provided about the art of Boutis.
Heather Harteneck relayed an invaluable first-hand account of her participation in a Boutis class in France. Wonderful information!
Andrea Stracke, an award winning wholecloth quiltmaker in German sent wonderful photos to share with you here. Please visit her website as her quilts are lovely!
Jill Kane, British Quilt History List mom, sent photos of North Country (English) quilts, owned by and photographed by her mother, Pat Faunt. Thank you, both!
Ady Hirsch in Israel provided a list of her favorite books on the subjects we are considering, parts of which show up in two places in the manuscript.
On this side of the pond, Lisa Evans wrote an essay (Click on Section V below)to tell us about her extraordinary silk quilt project and the research that inspired it, and has given us a link to a photo image so that we can enjoy the finished product, a quilt rendered in the style of the late Renaissance! Thanks for the inspiration!
As you can see, this manuscript has been a collective effort. If you have any information, photos, or links, that you feel belong with this overview, or know of books that we did not mention, but should have included, please write to me at: pat@quiltersmuse.com We are nothing, if not flexible, and we shall be most happy to add your comments or suggestions. We are, forever, students.
For your convenience, I have provided links to books that are known to be available, on amazon. Some of the books or resources mentioned, such as museum catalogues, may be out-of-print. Please check with your local librarian for availability through the Interlibrary Loan section of your public library.
Photos provided by James Cummings, Carole Kokinis, Pat Faunt, Andrea Stracke, Karen McTavish, and the Kansas Museum of History. Additional information provided by Lisa Evans, Heather Harteneck, Carole Kokinis, and Ady Hirsch. Thank you all!
Section III: American Wholecloth Quilting Traditions
Section IV: Trapunto and Its Techniques
©Copyright 2005, Patricia and James Cummings, Quilter's Muse Publications, Concord, New Hampshire. All rights reserved. Keep in mind that individual contributions continue to also be copyright protected to the individuals who shared any photos, graphic images, text, or made any other contribution to this manuscript. Questions, comments? Write to: pat@quiltersmuse.com Thank you.