Saturday at the Quilt Museum - Trapunto Quilts

Trapunto is a technique whereby, after the design is quilted, additional batting is stuffed into the quilted areas, causing a raised pattern.  There is an article on Womenfolk.com that explains the process that was used during the American Colonial period.  It's a good read.

I've gathered some trapunto quilts that really struck me.  Some are the traditional whole-cloth quilts, some are two-color.  They are all amazing.


Pine Burr

Mary Duncan Kelly

1859

This first one is for all the red-and-white lovers out there.  The workmanship is beautiful. The grapes and flowers are beautifully done.

I can't find any more information about this beauty than is listed above, but isn't it magnificent?

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Barbara Lotspeich Broyles

Rhea County, Tennessee

1840

81" x 77"

I like being able to see a quilt on a bed as well as in a closeup!  Isn't it beautiful?  The serpentine feathers are wonderful!

The story of this quilt, if true, is heartbreaking. You can read about it at CLIO Visualizing History.

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Strawberry Quilt

Montrose, Susquehana County, Pennsylvania

1848

86 1/2" x 85"

This one just grabbed me!  Isn't it spectacular??  So much to see.

Learn more at Olde Hope Antiques.

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Tree of Life Whitework Quilt

Artist Unknown

1796

92 1/4" x 87 3/4"

This is just unbelievable to me.  I can hardly imagine being able to produce such an amazing piece as this.  Take a look at the detail shots below.....

It defies words for me!

You can see more about it at the Museum of American Folk Art.

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Darst Family Quilt
Elizabeth Ann Darst
Circleville, Ohio
1840-1841
102" x 103"

I am absolutely stunned by this amazing quilt.  It was made by Elizabeth Ann Darst as her wedding quilt.  She was married in 1841, so it is assumed it was made between 1840 and 1841.

The trapunto work is so amazing.  Wow!  And the piecing is amazing. The quilting is amazing.  The design is amazing! I'm having a hard time coming up with other adjectives to describe it. Can you tell??

It resides in the DAR museum's permanent collection and Wendy Sheppard was able to see it.  She took the pictures below.  You can see more on her blog, Ivory Spring.

So, are you ready to make one????

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Thanks for taking this tour of Trapunto Quilts with us!

Happy Quilting!!

PLEASE NOTE:

- I am not a quilt historian.  I simply enjoy finding interesting quilts and sharing them with you!

- The quilt images on this post were sourced from Pinterest unless otherwise noted, and are linked to their origin whenever possible.