ESSENTIAL GUIDE Exploring Corded Quilting

“This month, we discover corded quilting, which is a wonderful method of creating texture and a 3D quality in our work.”
– Lin Clements

WHAT IS CORDED QUILTING?

Corded quilting, sometimes called Italian quilting, is a method of quilting where channels are stitched, usually by hand, and then padded by running lengths of cord or wool yarn through them. The insertion of the cord into the channels of the design creates a raised look and introduces an attractive texture. The Italian connection is rather vague and may have arisen because centuries ago, some examples of the work came from Sicily. However, historic examples of this type of work are found in many European countries.

Stuffed quilting or trapunto is similar to corded quilting in the sculptural effect created, but different shapes are stuffed rather than narrow channels. We will look at this technique next month, as it is often worked with corded quilting. Today we will look at these aspects of corded quilting:

■ Tools and materials needed.

■ Marking the work.

■ Quilting the channels.

■ Stuffing the channels.

■ Adding extra quilting and/or using embellishments.

DESIGNS FOR CORDED QUILTING

Designs for corded quilting can be almost anything you choose. The main requirement though is that the design or motif needs to have the space to have a double line drawn. Many standard quilting designs can be given the corded treatment by quilting a second parallel line ⅛in to ⅜in away from the first. A web search will yield many ideas and you will find that many motifs have a Celtic look, which look particularly striking when worked as corded quilting, especially intricate knot motifs. gives some ideas for simple designs you could try.