A piece of work I made a few years ago using hand & machine embroidery and a technique called 'Trapunto'.The term "trapunto" means "to embroider" in Italian, and "to prick with a needle" in Latin. When speaking of this quilting technique, both meanings apply. Trapunto is a technique which may be done by hand or machine that creates a noticeably raised design. In trapunto, also known as "stuffed work" by American and English quilters, extra padding is slipped behind the quilt top to create the puffed effect. Sometimes, stippling is used in the areas surrounding a trapunto motif to further accentuate the effect.
Trapunto has a long history. It first appeared in Italy around the early 16th century, and in America around the late 1700s. Trapunto was extremely popular up until the Civil War era a century later. Historically, it was done by cutting a small slit in the back through which padding or extra batting was placed. Today, there are a few more options for creating trapunto that can be less labor intensive.
Detail of work below.
Hand and machine embroidery with beading.
White silk, scrunch dyed, cut into strips and re-stitched with gold thread. Hand & machine embroidered with beading.
Shiboried silk and then using origami to shape into heart.
