Using Fabric Tucks to Create Texture

Texture is a fun element to add to any quilt, but it is especially fun when it can be added to an art quilt that you don’t have to worry about getting overused or laundered. Heather Thomas shows you how to make several different types of fabric tucks that can be quilted onto a piece of fabric as a way of adding quilt texture.

Fabric

Some quilt texture is added by simply using different types of fabric, however for this technique, Heather uses mostly cotton fabric and creates the texture by adding fabric tucks. She explains how the first layer of texture is created by wrinkling fabrics to add texture. This is done by wetting a fabric, wrinkling it up fairly tight, securing it and then allowing it to dry. The second type of texture is created by sewing small bit of ripped fabric to the surface of the quilt. Ripping the fabric, rather than cutting it, creates another element of texture with frayed edges and loose threads.

Sewing and Quilting

Heather explains the order in which the layers of this art quilt go together, starting with the layering of a background fabric, batting and a backing fabric. The wrinkled fabric and fabric tucks are then added to the surface and both stitched down and quilted at the same time. She demonstrates how to stitch the fabric tucks in place by stitching a small circle in the center of the fabric square being added with a free motion foot. She then explains how easy it is to move on to the next square and why it is not necessary to clip any threads as you go. Heather then gives several alternatives when it comes to stitching down the layers in order to keep the back of the quilt looking nice and tidy.