Karen Desparois

courtepointière / quiltmaker

Celtic pillow

Posted on September 17, 2011 by karen

This traditional Celtic design is stitched by hand in shimmering silk threads. Also featured is a little trapunto work, a centuries-old technique where an extra layer of batting is stuffed into certain elements of the design after it has been stitched.

size : 16” x 16”

materials : 100% dupion silk top lined with 100% cotton, 100% wool batting; 100% dupion silk envelope back lined with 100% cotton sateen, quilted in YLI and Gütermann 100% silk threads, pillow assembled with Coates 100% cotton thread, 100% polyester Eversoft pillow form with 100% cotton cover

techniques : top embroidered and quilted by hand, traditional celtic motif; pillow cover assembled by machine

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Trapunto pillow

Posted on September 17, 2011 by karen

This traditional quilting motif features modern trapunto work, an updated method of a centuries-old technique for adding an extra layer of batting to highlight certain elements of the design.

size : 16” x 16”

materials : 100% cotton top lined with 100% cotton, 100% cotton batting, trapunto elements of the design double-stuffed with 100% polyester batting; 100% cotton sateen envelope back, quilted with Superior Threads So-Fine 100% polyester thread, pillow assembled with Coates 100% thread; 100% polyester Eversoft pillow form

techniques : machine trapunto, quilted by machine, traditional motif; pillow cover assembled by machine

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Monolith

Posted on September 12, 2011 by karen

1,036 tiny squares of silk sing out from this quilt. The electronic guitar on the monolith waits centre stage for a touch to bring it to life. Strum the magnetic pick across the pick up for a throbbing metal sound so hot it glows from the lustrous silk. Press frets on the neck to change the chord. This quilt rocks to impressive volumes. It can be turned all the way up to 11!

size : 47” x 39”

materials : 100% silk top (dupioni, habotai and shantung silks on fusible 100% polyester stabilizer, Eco-Craft 100% PLA (corn based polymer) batting, assembled with Gütermann 100% cotton thread, quilted in 100% polyester and 100% rayon threads; electronic guitar gadget with magnetic pick, speaker / battery pack attached by Velcro; 100% silk hanging sleeve

techniques : machine pieced and free-motion quilted; continuous curve and parallel lines motifs, double-fold binding securely stitched by machine, hanging sleeve hand-stitched to the back

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Patchouli

Posted on August 17, 2011 by karen

Hand-painted and dyed fabrics sparkle with this jelly roll design by Heirloom Creations.

Click here for the free pattern on their February 13, 2011 blog.

The strips are bordered by a “double-chop” batik, a fabric of beautiful depth and texture which undergoes the hot wax and dye process twice. The image of the mythical Barong, a protective Bali spirit, graces the border and back of this quilt.

size : 66” x 86”

materials : top, back and binding 100% cotton, 100% bamboo batting, Gütermann 100% cotton thread

techniques : pieced and quilted by machine, free-motion quilting motif “Thorny Hearts”, double-fold binding attached by machine and meticulously stitched by hand to the back for a smooth finish

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Origami

Posted on August 16, 2011 by karen

size : 69” x 86”

materials : 100% white linen top, back and binding, Warm & White 87.5% cotton / 12.5% polypropylene batting, Gütermann 100% cotton thread, 100% linen hanging sleeve

techniques : fabric origami, hand and machine piecing, free-motion machine quilting, overall stippling motif, outline quilting around origami blocks; double-fold binding meticulously hand-stitched to the back for a smooth, tailored finish

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Autumn Patch

Posted on August 16, 2011 by karen

A traditional delight – everyone loves a nine patch! 805 tiny squares of cotton were carefully pieced together for the centre of this throw.

size : 54” x 69”

materials : top, back and binding 100% cotton, 100% poly fusible web on pieced squares, 100% bamboo batting, pieced and quilted with Gütermann 100% cotton thread

techniques : machine pieced and free-motion quilted, free-form continuous curve and feathers motifs, double-fold binding meticulously hand-stitched to the back for a smooth, tailored finish

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Batik Tessellation

Posted on August 16, 2011 by karen

300 magnificent hand-dyed and painted batik fabrics sparkle across this quilt. Every one of its 1,512 patches is a work of art! The other side offers a classic whole cloth option in elegant, natural-toned linen for a truly reversible quilt. Double batting (wool with soy/cotton) makes Batik Tessellation the Bentley of bedcovers!

size : 106” x 93”

materials : top 100% coton batiks from Bali and Tonga; back and binding 50% linen / 50% cotton; double batting 100% wool Quilters Dream Wool with 50% soy / 50 cotton% Legacy Soy Blend, assembled with 100% cotton Gütermann thread, quilted with 100% polyester So-Fine by Superior Threads, binding hand-stitched to back of quilt with 100% silk Gütermann thread

techniques : assembled and free-motion quilted by machine, continuous curve motif with Victorian feathered border; double-fold binding meticulously hand-stitched to the back for a smooth, tailored finish

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49 Feathered Wreaths

Posted on July 7, 2011 by karen

Each pieced block features a small trapunto feathered wreath, echoed in larger wreaths.

size : 91” x 96”

materials : 100% cotton blocks (white framed by batik sashing) on 100% bamboo field, inner trapunto wreaths 100% polyester batting, back and binding 100% bamboo, batting Legacy Soy Blend 50% soy / 50% cotton, pieced and quilted with Gütermann 100% cotton thread

techniques : machine pieced, trapunto by machine with water soluble thread, free-motion quilted by machine, feathered wreaths with horizontal lines motifs, double-fold binding meticulously hand-stitched to the back for a smooth, tailored finish

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Polka Dot Zoo

Posted on July 7, 2011 by karen

This cheery, generously sized quilt will go with baby from crib to toddler bed. Fun retro prints on top and big kid stripes in silky bamboo on the other side make a soft, snuggly quilt sure to be a favorite for many years.

size : 45” x 56”

materials : top 100% cotton Michael Miller prints with 100% bamboo solids, back 100% bamboo, binding 100% cotton, batting 100% bamboo, pieced with Gütermann 100% cotton thread, quilted with 100% polyester thread.

techniques : machine pieced and free-motion quilted, circles motif, double-fold binding meticulously hand-stitched to the back for a smooth, tailored finish

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