Page 78 - 2008 DT 12 issues

A Quilter’s Primer To sew all the thicknesses to- shrinkage when, at a later date, it may
gether they would usually use a stab be necessary to wash the quilt.
by Vera Wray stitch, which involved putting a needle Another method is Trapunto
straight down through the thicknesses, Quilting. Like the Italian, it uses two
The quilter’s craft combines artistry, pulling the thread down and then bring- layers of material - the top material and
imagination, skill and a diversity of ing the needle back up about an eighth a muslin for the backing. However in
styles. Here are the basics: of an inch away. This could not have this type of quilting, a patterned mate-
been an easy task with everyone sew- rial can be used very successfully. For
English Quilting originated a long ing at once. To-day, the best way is to instance, if you are taking a brocade
time ago. There are records as far back stretch the material onto a frame. Stab which has probably a nice flowery
as the 14 Century. Wealthy families stitch can still be used, but small run- pattern, this can be used to your ad-
th
used it to decorate their rooms with ning stitches are the most popular.
quilted draperies and bed hangings. In Italian Quilting is
Durham and Northumberland in the another method, but not
North of England, quilting was started normally used for large
from necessity for warmth. pieces. This method is
Quilting was a family affair. very popular for pillows,
Mother, daughters, aunts and female which can be purchased
cousins would all meet at one house. at a craft or quilting
They would start with a large piece store, are printed onto
of material, enough to go over a bed. a thin tissue paper and
Onto this fabric they would put worn the outlines are usually
blankets, a few layers if they had them. made in dark blue ink.
No batting or wadding for them. A top The design is ironed on
material, perhaps a sheet, was then to the backing material,
placed on to all of this. They would not often on to the face of
sew through all the layers using a large the material, as the lines
stitch known as a tacking stitch. In cannot be removed.
America, this is called a basting stitch. Designs for Ital-
This had to be done before attempting ian quilting are always
any small quilting stitch, otherwise the drawn in parallel lines. Miniature Whirlwinds Quilt ©Janet Wickell
layers would slip. These are called tram
Once this had been done the wom- lines. The top cover and vantage. Satins are usually plain, but
en would decide on a design. Because backing are basted together using a you may get one with a very nice jac-
they did not have access to various large stitch. When this has been done, quard design on it. After tacking the
designs, like we do to-day, they had the quilting design can be stitched two layers together, pick out parts of
to form their own. They would take through both layers using small, even the design that you would like to stitch
household utensils, such as glasses, running stitches. The completed pat- around. Do this through both thick-
plates, saucers and tea cups, drawing tern is raised by threading quilting nesses. If, for instance, your design has
around them and intertwining them to wool, or sheep’s wool as it is some- a rose pattern on it, don’t stitch every
form designs. The method they used to times called, between the layer of top rose. You then may want to stitch some
get the design onto the material was to material and the muslin, and between of the leaves. Don’t make the areas you
scratch around the items with a needle. the stitched lines. This is usually done are stitching too small, as this will not
Imagine doing all this in candlelight! quite easily using a bodkin. It is neces- show off the design. When the stitch-
One of the designs formed by placing sary to leave the wool a little slacker at ing is fi nished, turn the article over to
glasses over each other is still very popu- the corners of the design or where the the wrong side. You are now going to
lar today and is called the Clamshell. design turns. This is to allow for any stuff small pieces of batting or wad-

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