Compact Trapunto - Hand Sewn Quilting Series Ii Limited Time 55% Off [5z2aiVYR]

Trapunto with Sarah Nishiura

This class is part of the five-part virtual Hand Sewn Quilting Series II. Classes may be purchased à la carte at $75 or as a five-part package for a discounted price of $350. 

This workshop will introduce participants to the history and techniques of stuffed and corded quilting also known as Trapunto or Marseille quilting. From their somewhat mysterious origins in 15th century to their mass production in 17th century France and their domestic production in 18th century colonial American homes, these extraordinary textured whole cloth quilts are testament to the complex globalism that created quilting as we know it today. We will learn about this fascinating history, explore some of the techniques and motifs utilized to produce stuffed and corded quilts through the ages, and finally, participants will have the opportunity to experiment with a simplified approach to stuffing and cording which is accessible to 21st century quiltmakers using commonly available materials and tools.

Date + Time

Thursday, July 3rd, 2025, 12 - 2:30 pm ET

Location

Zoom, a link will be emailed to participants the day before class.

Cost

$75 for the individual class
$350 for the series

Suggested Class Materials

• Two pieces of solid color cotton fabric approximately 15” square
• One piece of very thin cotton or linen fabric such as lawn, voile, batiste approximately 15” square 
• Cotton hand quilting thread that matches the color of your fabric
• Contrasting thread for basting
• Needles for hand quilting – I like #8 sharps
• String for cording – The cord used to make piping works well. Cotton yarn, or even worsted wool will also work just make sure it is no less than 1/8 inch thick (note: If your fabric is white, your cord should be white unless you want it to show through).
• Cotton balls for stuffing. Loose fiber fill will also work.
• Washable marking pencil or pen
• Number 2 pencil
• Adjustable embroidery Hoop (8 – 12”)
• Ruler
• Sharp scissors.
• Something for poking your stuffing – i.e. knitting needle or chop stick
• Seam ripper

Optional If you want to try the 19th century version of Trapunto:

• Thin 100% cotton batting – 15” square 
• Needle for the cord – Make sure the eye will accommodate the size of your chosen cord
• Very open weave linen or cotton fabric (Vintage tablecloths or napkins often fit the bill!) 15” square

Purchase a Materials Kit here- not all of the suggested materials for each class are included in this kit. Please look at individual class pages for the full list of suggested materials for each class.

Scholarships 

There are scholarship spots available for this workshop. Please email [email protected] to learn more.

Our Teacher

Sarah Nishiura is a Chicago based quiltmaker who utilizes traditional techniques to craft quilts out of recycled and vintage materials. Inspired by numerous textile traditions including 19th and early 20th century American Quilts, Sarah's work explores and celebrates the infinite possibilities of geometric design. Her quilts have been exhibited in museums and galleries in the U.S. and abroad including the Iowa Quilt Museum, the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Art, the New England Quilt Museum, the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles, and the Yokohama Quilt Fest in Japan. Her quilts have been featured in numerous magazines and blogs including Martha Stewart Living, QuiltFolk Magazine, Chicago Magazine, and Food and Wine, and they are included in private, corporate, and public art collections throughout the United States. Sarah’s work has been supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council, the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Center for Craft. Sarah has an MFA in painting from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and a BA in visual arts from Brown University.

More information about Sarah's studio practice can be found at: 

http://www.sarahnishiura.com/

*All classes in this series will be recorded. A link to the recording will be emailed to all registrants following the live session. You may purchase the series as a whole even after the classes have begun. You will be emailed the recordings upon sign-up.

2nd photo: Quilt, ca. 1855-1879, India. Woven cotton, trapunto work. Victoria & Albert Museum, London. 

3rd photo: The Tristan Quilt, ca. 1360-1400, Sicily. Linen quilted and padded with cotton wadding with outlines in brown and white linen thread. Victoria & Albert Museum, London.