I took a class that taught applique, cording and trapunto. The pattern was this basket design. I loved the way the appliqued handles seem to twist around each other.
We appliqued and pieced the pillow top and then lightly traced the flower and leaf design inside the basket. A piece of fabric large enough to cover the flowers and leaves with extra to spare was inserted behind the flowers and basted down. We stitched the entire design as if we were quilting it. Then we made a slit and stuffed a small amount of fiberfill in each section of the flowers – not too much or they will appear overfilled (trapunto) and the slits were gently stitched closed. Next, using regular yarn and a large eye needle, we filled the channels of the leaves by inserting he needle in the back fabric, but not through the front, ran it along the channel and out again through the back being careful not to pull too tightly (cording). We trimmed the yarn close to where it went into and out of the back fabric.
I layered (backing, batting and top) and hand quilted this basket 1/4″ inside each quilt patch and outside the basket. I quilted a little closer to the appliqued basket handle. I love fancy quilting designs and chose one to quilt in each corner.
I finished this quilt as a pillow. I decided to make a piped edge but used a large cord and ruched the fabric around it so it has a gathered look.
This is a good example of the benefits of taking quilt classes. I learned techniques in this class that I would not have figured out on my own.
Tidal Creek Quilts 