Quilting Workshop: Hand Embroidered Trapunto with Sheena Norquay

Inspired by the techniques explored in the Beyond the Bedspread exhibition at Inverness Museum & Art Gallery, this hands-on workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn directly from exhibiting artist Sheena Norquay. Participants will discover how traditional quilting and embroidery methods can be transformed into richly textured contemporary textile art.

Trapunto is a hand quilting technique that uses an additional layer of wadding behind stitched motifs to create raised, sculptural surfaces. In this workshop, participants will create a small embroidered trapunto sample, exploring how stitch, texture and relief can bring fabric to life. The completed piece can be developed into a needle case, small pouch or decorative textile artwork.

Using a choice of threads and fabrics, participants will experiment with a range of decorative embroidery stitches, including chain stitch, fly stitch, cross stitch, feather stitch, blanket stitch, herringbone stitch and French knots. Once the embroidered motifs are complete, the excess wadding will be carefully trimmed before a second layer of wadding and backing fabric are added to build depth and dimension.

For the background quilting, participants will be introduced to techniques such as running stitch, laced or whipped running stitch, seeding stitch and Turkey Track stitch, creating contrasting textures that enhance the raised trapunto forms.

Throughout the session, Sheena will demonstrate each technique and share examples of her own work, offering insight into the creative processes behind the pieces featured in Beyond the Bedspread.

Suitable for beginners and experienced stitchers alike. All materials are provided.