Explains how to achieve depth and raised textures when machine quilting and includes quilt patterns and lessons in stipple quilting, background effects, machine trapunto, shading with stitches, two-layer trapunto, and shadow trapunto

The possibilities for three-dimensional manipulation of fabric - gathering, pleating, tucking, shirring, and quilting woven materials - are seemingly endless. To describe them all would be to describe the entire history of sewing. In The Art of manipulating Fabric, Colette Wolff has set herself just this task, and she succeeds brilliantly. Working from the simplest possible form - a flat piece of cloth and a threaded needle - she categorizes all major dimensional techniques, show how they are related, and give examples of variations both traditional and modern. The result is an encyclopedia of techniques that resurface, reshape, restructure and reconstruct fabric. • More than 350 diagrams support the extensive how-tos, organized into broad general categories, then specific sub-techniques • Handsome photos galleries showcase the breathtaking possibilities in each technique and aid visual understanding by emphasizing the sculptured fabric surface with light and shadow • Textile artists and quilters, as well as garment and home decor sewers, will expand their design horizons with the almost limitless effects that can be achieved.

Over the course of her long and creative career, quilting expert Sylvia Critcher has established her own unique process for combining raised quilt and stitch techniques to create wonderful effects. Sylvia's method features a variety of quilting and raised embroidery techniques including trapunto, Italian quilting, le boutis, French-style cording and English quilting. The book will guide you through the history and context of these traditional techniques and show you how to combine them with the necessary stitches to create Sylvia's distinctive style of work. This book will show you exactly how Sylvia creates her richly textured surfaces by following a simple step-by-step pincushion project from start to finish. The process is broken down into key stages, and clear illustrations are given to guide the reader through the process. All the instructions and templates needed to create nine further contemporary projects are given: a ring pillow, chair cushion, bag, needlecase, lap quilt, runner, table centre, wall hanging and full-size quilt. All the templates required are given at actual size in a handy pull-out section. The book also contains a helpful section on developing designs and a gallery of beautiful pieces to inspire.

Start with a simple block. Slice, turn, and sew slices back together. Then watch the magic happen! It's hard to believe such complex-looking quilts can come from such easy-to-sew blocks, but turnabout techniques transform even the most basic blocks into showstopping quilts. In some cases slicing isn't even necessary--just turn units as directed for unique designs! Each chapter focuses on a single block; just follow along to sew, slice, turn, and sew again. Find several design options for each block, along with a total of 23 quilt patterns, so you can make lap quilts, runners, and more with the turnabout blocks you create.

This new, expanded edition of 'Welsh Quilts' is an authoritative guide to the history and art of the quilt in Wales. Expert author Jen Jones has added many new, high quality colour images - some never seen before - and four patterns for practitioners to work from.