Tuesday, August 31, 2010

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.

44 comments:

  1. Great project and tutorial - I love the way it is coming together.

    Glad to see you back - I miss your blog.

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  2. Wow! This is looking good. And it's an impressive amount of work. Nicely done.

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  3. It's looking great!! I see some of the fabrics I sent you in there too. I will have to enjoy this project through you because I'll never make one of these.

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  4. Wonderful clamshells Belinda!!

    Love Gina's grid idea and think I will make a smaller version, as I am only pinning and appliqueing one clamshell down at a time.

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  5. The colors of your Clamshell are perfect! You've really been putting a lot of work into this quilt, and it shows.

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  6. This looks GORGEOUS! And difficult. And tempting, too!
    Thank you for sharing your technique. This will be fun to try some day. Have to build up some courage...
    Love your colors and the neutral rows in your layout!

    ; )

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  7. No, no, no! I will not be led into temptation. No! Stop it!

    Honestly - they are gorgeous and you must have a helluva lot of patience to do them. I've done 4 hexagons and started swearing when I got to the 4th. Which is WHY I'll not going to be led into temptation.

    xxxx

    PS did I tell you Gail contacted me?

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  8. Great follow up tutorial Belinda. Your shells are looking fabulous and you have made great progress. I am still sewing the way I started. It works great for me. I make a crease in the middle as well.

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  9. Your clamshell top looks great! I thoroughly enjoyed piecing my smaller one. It's tempting to start a large one after seeing yours! Keep up the great work!

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  10. You ROCK. Your tutorials have been great, and your clamshells are so beautiful!

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  11. Your clamshells look great. Thanks for the tutorial. I am still experimenting with my shells, but I have found that drawing a line and folding the clams in half really helps to keep them neatly lined up.

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  12. Wow, your clamshells are almost a quilt!! It's nice when you find a method that works for you.

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  13. oh thank you for all the hints and tips ... I will be back many times to digest it all.
    Your clamshells are looking fantastic.

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  14. Hi Belinda,

    This is an awesome tutorial...I really want to do this quilt some day when my quilting platter (used to be a plate) is not so full. I REALLY like the idea of your neutral rows...it gives the eye somewhere to rest between all the yummy fabrics. I really appreciate you taking some of the mystery out of this pattern that I've always had some interest in.

    In stitches,
    Teresa :o)

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  15. That is just beautiful!! Thank you a great tutorial!! We missed you too!

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  16. I will say this is the first time I've really understood the process. I've looked at the back of a clamshell before but always thought "ugh, too hard for me". And it probably is. But now at least I understand it! The crease thing is smart Belinda. Good tute. Someday I'm going to retire and make a full clamshell quilt and full hexagon. Add butterfly to that, too.

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  17. Your quilt looks fabulous! Thanks for sharing your method of putting the clam shells together. I'm really getting tempted! :)

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  18. Wow, you are making headway on this project. Glad to see a post from you that shows you have been keeping a needle and thread busy at your home!

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  19. Wow, girl, you are making some serious progress there! Fantastic tute. What a great explanation. This looks really hard! What a lot of patience you have! I'm so impressed. You'll be done lickety-split, and we'll all be blown away by you!

    I missed you too. Don't be gone so long next time (like I can talk!)

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  20. I am so in love with this quilt!
    I have always loved the clamshell pattern but I'm loving it even more with the light row in between.

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  21. They really are coming together, thats going to be a gorgeous quilt. It makes perfect sense to do them as you described, great job on the tut.

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  22. Nice work! It's starting to come together. Each row takes another fun look. Thanks for sharing.
    :) Carolyn

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  23. The quilt looks great...using a grid is a great idea!
    Micki

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  24. Oh it is wonderful! But can I say "your nuts" without you taking offense?!!!!

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  25. I was just about ready to bust out my elbow sharpening grease, but woohoo! there you are. Hi!

    Your clamshells look wonderful. What a great time you're having with the fussy cutting. Precision in your getting these rows together will definitely pay off. Good work, Belinda! High five!

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  26. This is really looking good. Your work is wonderful. I will enjoy it by watching you. It would only make me batty if I tried it myself.

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  27. I love how it's coming together! Very exciting to see the progress you've made. Great tutorial too!

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  28. Great tutorial! Thanks for taking the time to explain your process. The quilt is looking fantastic!

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  29. Oh, and it is looking so great. And what great tips on how to put it together. If I ever make one I know where to come.

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  30. Thank you for the great pics on the clamshell and good directions. I need to know where I can purchase the pattern of the clamshell yours is 5"x6" and that or smaller will do. I have looked everywhere, thank you for your time. Brook

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  31. Wow, your clamshell quilt is really coming along nicely, love the brights along with the muslin.

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  32. This is so informative! I don't have one of these in near or medium-time future, but it is so good to expand my knowledge! Love how your quilt is coming along...

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  33. Great tutorial. I am going to have to jot down where I saw this so that when I try to make one of these I will know where to come.

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  34. Fabulous clamshells Belinda & what a great tutorial!

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  35. Thanks for the tutorial Belinda!
    I always wanted to know how it was done. I might just try one (someday)

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  36. Now isn't that ironing board grid a clever idea! You rock. :)

    I am adoring your clamshells dear talented friend. Absolutely adoring. Warm, caring hugs, *karendianne.

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  37. Hi Belinda, Your clamshells look fantastic and you have achieved heaps! Thanks for the handy hints.

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  38. Hi Belinda, your Clam shell quilt is breathtaking! It is truly a labour of love. Thank you for the details too :)

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  39. This is going to be gorgeous! Lots of hard work, too.

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  40. Oh yes, indeed. I understand. :) I need to see… do I have your address? Hmm….

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