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Tami E Tami Eveslage Original Teddy Bears
Milford Ohio
Posts: 2,367

Shelli asked in a pm if I might do a brief tutorial on trapunto, so here goes.

I had wanted to add detail to my bears' paws from my earliest designs on. For some of my first bears, I used acrylic paint to add their foot and paw pads. While I was happy with this, What I really wanted to was add some dimension. Then, I was thumbing through a quilting magazine and saw a description of trapunto. Ah ha!

Trapunto is quilting technique which produces a raised surface on the quilt (or bear bear_original ). The raised surface is created by layering a piece of woven fabric (muslin etc.) with your paw pad material. Before you sew your pad to the bear's leg, you would draw paw pad shapes and sew completely around each one using tiny stitches. Then sew your paw pad in to the bottom of the leg, but don't turn it yet. The next step is somewhat tedious but the results are pleasing. You cut a tiny slit in the back (muslin side) of each shape and add polyfil stuffing to each shape. After you sew each opening closed (it doesn't have to be neat but it should be tight), you may turn the leg right side out, and stuff it as you normally would. You will see the raised areas,but you can also use paint or air brushing to accent more.

Happy Bearmaking

Michelle Helen Chaska, Minnesota
Posts: 2,897

Oh Tami, thank you for this delicious technique!!

Michelle

bearlysane Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 2,188

trapunto.jpg

This is what they look like when finished.

Hugs,

Tami E Tami Eveslage Original Teddy Bears
Milford Ohio
Posts: 2,367

That's a great picture example! Thanks Sandi.

Marion Acid Attic Bears
Versailles
Posts: 2,284

Thanks so much ! Your explanations are very clear !  :hug:

Shelli SHELLI MAKES
Chico, California
Posts: 9,939
Website

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner Sponsor

Oh, how wonderful to see this information here!  What an easy-to-follow tutorial.  And thanks, Sandi, for the picture as well!

I've used this technique previously myself, but unlike mine, your trapunto pads are superb, Tami... bear_original ... so it's nice to hear the "how-to" stuff from a master.  Really nice pads on your bitty bear feet too, Sandi!

Thanks so much for taking the time to add this to our wonderful library of tips & techniques.  I'm certain there will be MANY people to benefit!

Daphne Back Road Bears
Laconia, NH USA
Posts: 6,568

Wow, now THAT sounded easy. I've read instructions before but got so confussed and figured it must simply be over my head! Never mind that I can read instructions and apply them, I have to SEE it done. But Tami, those were perfect and I can't wait to try.

I'm concerned that I won't get the pad sewn into the foot exactly perfectly so the pads could be 'off'. Is there a secret, other than just being REALLY careful, as to how to get it right? I do mark the heel and toe on the paw pads to line them up with the seams.

plushkinbear BEAR ME SHOOTKA
Vladivostok, RUSSIA
Posts: 2,139

Tami, thank you!
I might try it on my next bear!
Such clear and easy-to-follow instructions!

Hugs, Julia  :hug:  bear_flower

Tami E Tami Eveslage Original Teddy Bears
Milford Ohio
Posts: 2,367

Yes, Daphne,  you would mark the heel and toe and line them up with the seams. Then I woiuld pin and then hand baste them into place (I always do this with any parts that are small or don't lay flat under my machine. Another option, of course, would be to hand sew them in if you are really worried.

Tami E Tami Eveslage Original Teddy Bears
Milford Ohio
Posts: 2,367

I really should use the spell check feature!! :redface:

Daphne Back Road Bears
Laconia, NH USA
Posts: 6,568

I gave up on spell checking a long time ago.... takes too long!  bear_tongue

I'll have to give this a whirl one of these days!!!!! I think I can do it now!!!
Thank you, Tami!

Tami E Tami Eveslage Original Teddy Bears
Milford Ohio
Posts: 2,367

You are welcome! bear_happy

Laura Lynn Teddy Bear Academy
Nicholasville, KY
Posts: 3,653
Website

Laura Lynn Banner Sponsor

Tami and Sandi thank you! 

I too read other's directions and got totally confused... bear_wacko   Your directions were superb!!

psichick78 Flying Fur Studios
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 3,073

I also thought it was confusing before, but that sounds like I can do it! Thanks a bunch for the advice, you are the master Tami.

Sandi, thanks for the pic as well. Very helpful

Just Us Bears Just Us Bears
Australia
Posts: 940

Tami...thanks for those great instructions...I wish I'd had those the first time I tried trapunto paw pads...I learned the hard way! bear_wacko
The paw pads in your avatar bear(which look great by the way!!)...are they trapunto? How are they a different colour? Or are they appliqued on?

JeannieB JeannieB Bears
Greensboro NC
Posts: 1,183

Hi Tami,
Thanks for sharing the instructions. I put them on "Moose" who is my first pattern and 5 th sewn bear. It took me a long time....but, it looks great! He only has three toes bear_sad I will post his picture on the showcase section...probably on Sunday. Thanks again for sharing bear_thumb
      JeannieB

Tami E Tami Eveslage Original Teddy Bears
Milford Ohio
Posts: 2,367

Jeanie it does take a long time, but the results are nice. I can't wait to see your picture!

millie PottersHouse Bears
Ohio
Posts: 2,173

Thank you, thank you, thank you.  I've wondered how you get those cute little feet.  Guess what I'm going to do with this little guy I'm working on now.

dakotahicks Paws In My Garden
Georgia
Posts: 260

Tami of all I have read and I have read alot, I like your description of this the best.  Thank you for sharing this it helps,
Hugs,
Angela

bearlykidzbears Bearly Kidz Bears
Lodi, Ca.
Posts: 166

Thank you Tami now I understand :clap:  :clap:

burlisonbears Burlison Bears
Louisville, Kentucky
Posts: 1,174

Gosh! I never knew it was that easy! I can't wait to give this a go on one of my traditional style minis! Thanks for explaining that! I've always wondered how that was accomplished!

-Eliza

Jodi Falk Bears by Jodi
Gahanna , Ohio USA
Posts: 3,463

I wonder if I can do it on my smaller bears ? If you hear screaming one day ... don't worry ITS MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

   Thanks for the info !!!!! Very nice of you to share !!!

:dance:

pma2003 Seamore Collectibles
CT
Posts: 451

Wow, now this is somehting I would love to try.

Thanks for the wonderful detailed instructions.

Tami E Tami Eveslage Original Teddy Bears
Milford Ohio
Posts: 2,367
burlisonbears wrote:

Gosh! I never knew it was that easy! I can't wait to give this a go on one of my traditional style minis! Thanks for explaining that! I've always wondered how that was accomplished!

-Eliza

You are very welcome all.  bear_flower Is is not complicated but it is challenging and time consuming. It takes me a long time to get my bears paws to look the way they do. I think you might find yourself rethinking the word easy particularly if you try it on a mini!!! bear_wacko

Jodi, I have done it on a smaller bear---ONCE! It most definitely can be done. I would think that doing on a true mini (a bear under four inches) would be next to impossible! But then there is that guy who sculpts and paints tiny figures on the heads of pins out of dust particles--so nothing is impossible!

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