CLAMSHELL UPDATE

OH MY GOODNESS........LOOK...LOOK...it's finally becoming a REAL quilt top and not just a bunch of weird looking shapes that had me scratching my head more than once as I experimented and worked my way through to this point. So far the larger piece shown above is 65 " x 37" with 3 more '2-row' sections ready to sew on. YEAH!
For my Clamshell Club update I thought I would share some more tips and processes I used. Kind of a part 2 to my TUTORIAL I posted about here.

I took Gina's tip and made a large template/grid to pin to my ironing board. I drew a line across the bottom of the paper and then traced my clamshell pattern, tracing them on in the manner they would be sewn. NOTE: the clamshell pattern I used to trace here was the one minus the seam allowance on the rounded top edge. Thanks Gina, I really think this helped me!!

I folded my clamshell pieces in half and finger pressed a crease down the middle. No worry, by the time you 'man handle' and sew all your pieces together this crease will disappear.

Using the creases to help line up top and bottoms for a good vertical straightness. Pin pieces into place...pushing pins down into your ironing board to hold down your lined up clamshells. I like these big balled pins, they really help hold everything together good....especially if you push them all the way down. You will have to push them down at an angle, but be sure not to distort you lined up pieces.

When you have your ironing board template/grid full, pin your clamshells together using your tiny sequin pins.

After pinning...be sure to flip over and always check the backside. You need to be sure all your seam allowances line up and look good. You don't want to be ripping out and having "do-overs" later....trust me...I am speaking from experience!!!!!!!!

I only pinned and worked with 2 row sections.......see first photo again.

When I was ready to sew my "2-row" sections to the rest of my ever growing top I just laid out the larger section onto the ironing board template/grid.

Lining up the bottom of each clamshell like I've shown here.

Using the faint crease lines to keep the clamshells vertically straight.

Using the same process used for the '2-row' sections. Only this time you can't see the top of the template/grid.

So this is what I did...stick a pin in the top of the clamshell. Holding the pin down into the fabric.

Flip over and line pin up with the marked lines.

Just add your '2-row' section.....still using those crease lines as your guide for lining everything straight. By doing the process in '2-row' sections I'm not having to man handle or carry around the whole quilt top as I work on it. I know some will think this seems like a lot of trouble but I have tried all types of ways to keep the clamshells straight and this turned out to be the best way for me. I usually pin a bunch together and have several sections ready at a time. I must say...I don't like the standing at the ironing board part but this process works pretty fast for me.

I hope I have explained this clearly. Please feel free to leave any questions in my comment section and I will get back with you through email.

I've MISSED EVERYBODY......I know I have been missing in action lately. Lots going on, but I'm hoping things will settle down soon and I can get back to normal.