- The layers are Assembled in the correct order.
- Working from the centre of the fabric to the outside corners and, if necessary, also in between, the layers are tacked together
- The fabric is smoothed down and ensured that it is flat.
Quilting creates a contrast between a design element and its background, consequently giving the ‘design element’ a larger emphasis. In my case, the ‘design element’ would be one of the four animals. There are many different ways I can quilt the ‘patches’ such as diagonally, horizontally, vertically, or even in a checked manner. The fact remains that quilting proves to be an excellent method of finishing off products and would look superb on my playmat.
Embroidery
Embroidery has an ‘up-market’ image and is very attractive. On my product, it could be used for a number of things such as decorating the edge of my playmat, or even embroidering little animals on to the fabric. Embroidering machinery can embroider the most intricate designs and thus giving superb results! Embroidery is defined as work with needle and thread upon cloth. In industry today, a computer-controlled machine carries out the majority of embroidery. The method of stitching on most embroidery machines is a lockstitch, which is the type of stitch produced by most domestic sewing machines. The main difference is the addition of many more sewing needles (which can be changed automatically, usually to change colours), and the movement of the embroidery frame. Designs are produced quickly and easily on a computer, with special software. The design can be given to the embroidery machine on a standard computer disk. Once the embroidery machine is threaded up and a frame is filled with the right cloth, the button can be pressed and the embroidery is produced automatically.
Painting
Painting gives me greater control over the appearance of a certain image. If I were to paint the lettering onto the playmat, or even certain animals, I would first be able to pencil an outline, and subsequently paint the letter/image in any way that I desire. It could be a mottled effect, (thus achieved by using a big paintbrush and dabbing the bristles down) or even merging two colours/or dyes into one – thus giving a two-tone effect. When I painted the letter ‘S,’ it was extremely successful. I drew the letter beforehand, exactly the way I wanted it and subsequently painted it, giving me the desired results.
Trapunto
Trapunto is a method used to emphasise a certain feature by raising it from its underlying fabric. When carrying out trapunto, two fabrics have to be sewn onto each other. Subsequently a cut has to made in the bottom fabric – this will be where the ‘stuffing’ will be inserted from. The upper fabric will be the one that is stuffed. The upper fabric is usually a different colour to the one beneath it, however in my case (for the dog) the legs and the body will be ‘spotty’ yet the legs will be raised – thus emphasising them. Once the ‘stuffing’ has been inserted, the cut will be sewn up, using needle and thread. In my playmat, I will use trapunto for many things, such as the duck’s beak alongside the winged part of it, the dog’s legs, and the embroidered fish. I think it has an excellent effect, and the child will be extremely intrigued by it.
