Whitework Quilting ~ the Stitches

There are several types of stitches that the whitework artist can use. The most common is the traditional quilting stitch. Others include:

• Cording – technique that involves stitching two parrallel lines and inserting a cord between them. Cording not only gives a raised sculpture look, it also adds stiffness to the area.
• Trapunto – also known as stuffed quilting, is when a design is stitched and then stuffed from the back. Trapunto adds a raised effect to the design; the amount the area is stuffed will determine the amount of the raised effect or the stiffness of the area.  Trapunto is accomplished using a backing or lining fabric.
• Candlewicking - this style gets it name from the type of thread used.  To candlewick you need to use a thicker thread, about the size of a candle wick.  Embroidery and quilting done with this thick thread creates texture to the design.  Most candlewicked designs use knotting or stem stiches.
• Drawn Work – also referred to as pulled fabric or hardanger embroidery; this is when some of the threads of the fabric are cut and pulled out after a section has been stitched.  This creates a see-through area, resembling lace.
• Stumpwork - a typle of stitching and embroidery where figures are 3 dimentional; raised from the surface.  For example, a design using a flower that has the petals 3-D; of raised off the surface: stumpworked.

Tags: Articles, Embroidery, Whitework