For a very long time I have been fascinated by clamshell quilts. Then I got a copy of Kaffe Fassett’s Museum Quilts book and was sure a clamshell quilt was in my future — somehow. There is no way my hands will stand up to tracing templates, but I could dream about it. Then I learned about the Clamshell Club and wanted to join in but knew I wouldn’t be able to do it, so decided I’d just enjoy watching others, like Karen, make them.
Then, last night, a fabulous Inklingo clamshell collection was released. Problem solved!! I’ve joined the Clamshell Club and will be working on a quilt of clamshells now. Perfect shapes every time and wonderful matching points which make stitching these little gems a delight! Just a plain running stitch, no basting or stitching over papers for me! Although there is a page of the shape without seam allowances in the collection that one could print out and use for English Paper Piecing, if wanted. I had printed out about 400 clamshells on a variety of fabrics within minutes of downloading the collection.
A close-up of one of the printed sheets of fabric which shows, if you click on it to enlarge the photo, the stitching lines and matching points.
They are incredibly quick and easy to stitch thanks to the matching points. If I had picked out the fabrics for this diamond of clamshells ahead of time, I think I could have finished that first diamond easily. But I was auditioning fabrics as I went, which slowed me down a bit. So much for completely devoting my stitching time to the Spring Circles. As the Clamshell Club officially starts on June 1, I just couldn’t resist getting a start on the clamshells but they are going to be in the wings waiting until I finish the quilt for my aunt. I may work on them one evening a week until then, but no more than that.
The back of the clamshells I’ve put together so far. Not the best pressing job I’ve ever done, but I was being extra careful not to distort the shapes as they’re nothing but bias.
Monday was quite hot and humid and I had a migraine that just would not quit. It finally started to rain late in the evening and the headache started to lift so I was left with just the bruised head feeling that one gets from those.
Lester was enjoying the windowsill and watching the robins and grackles.
And this is what I wake up to almost every day. Smudge loves to curl up on my pillow and often will rest either his head or a paw on my head. Mr. Q.O. got this shot before I even woke up.
Quilt Obsession 
The clamshells are wonderful! This will be a fabulous quilt. I am in total amazement of you and your handwork skills. This is one quilt, I don’t think I will ever get around to making. Too funny, how Mr. Q.O. snapped a photo even before you arose.
LikeLike
You know what I’m thinkin’. I don’t even need to say it to you gf. Clamshells are downloaded and I’m game. Not able to join any groups right now though. Fully committed to what I’ve got going on. I’ll have to be non-participatory but hopefully the Town Crier will show up when there’s something delightful afoot. I do love that Town Crier.
LikeLike
Aren’t those clamshells pretty! Love the shot of Smudge with you in bed….our Binky does that too…..
LikeLike
You are aazing Cathie…love the clours you have done – really wonderful. Do you ever wonder what you did yestereday – LOL
LikeLike
I have never seen that type of quilt before. It looks fantasic. I bet it will look really good when it’s finished!! I would love to make a little mini clamshell quilt… But, alas, school comes first… 🙂 I wish it was sewing that came first though LOL!
LikeLike
I love your clamshells and the Kaffe Fassett pattern is a lovely one. Beautiful fabric and how fast you will be able to piece with the Inklingo. Just minutes for you to make 400 and over a week for me to make 800 and I still have to mark my matching lines on the fronts of the clamshells! LOL.
LikeLike
Beautiful fabrics, will be watching and enjoying the new clamshell quilt! Darling kitties, what a wonderful wake up greeter!
LikeLike
Ya know, it’s all Linda Franz’s fault if you get behind on the circle quilt. I think she reads you mind and then releases a new Inklingo set to tempt you LOL.
Crispy
LikeLike
I LOVE these! You need to stop….I keep wanting to try everything you show! Sigh, now I have something else to add to my bucket list….it just keeps getting longer and longer…..
LikeLike
I have always loved the clamshell pattern. I am especially fond of the quilt made by Mary Schafer, p. 63, “Mary Schafer American Quilt Maker”. With Inklingo, is it possible to print just one shell at a time? For examaple, if you wanted to make a Charm quilt using the pattern, you would only need one shell cut from each fabric. Thanks for the inspiration!
LikeLike
Okay, I don’t feel so guilty starting new projects all the time! : D
This is beautiful, and I just may have to bite sometime this year and try Inklingo. My concern is the ink. I never EVER use marking pens because they are known to come back and haunt the quilt. Is it proven for sure that the computer ink isn’t going to come back to haunt?
No hurry on answering my question. One of our vehicles died over the weekend, so we have an unexpected expenditure that will tie up funds for a while. : /
CUTE and snuggly kitty pic!
~ Ronda
LikeLike
This is a very promissing start. I love it. I never knew that Inklingo also sold clamshell patterns. If.., it would have saved a lot of work.
LikeLike
Cathi – how do you do it – you’ve got 15 clam shells printed, cut and sewn and I just got the email this morning that they were available. You’ve probably got 15 more done by now – you’re gooood!
LikeLike
Another winner! I’ve always liked that pattern but have no desire to make it. I’ll just admire yours from afar.
LikeLike
I love the photo of you and Smudge–how adorable. Morpheus sleeps on my head every night. I love being a cat pillow 🙂
LikeLike
Cathy,
Your clam shells are a sight to behold!!!
LikeLike
Cathy, your clamshells look wonderful. How good for you to have found these.
The pictures of your cats are great too…it is as if they sit on my MAC (good thing they do not because I have much ‘respect’ (as in : fear) for cats and my husband is allergic to them. But they look stunning and I always like watching them)
Bye for now
Tineke
LikeLike
Great works you are working on.
Lovely clamshells and the hexaflowers also nice.
LikeLike
o the madness that is handpiecing. I would live to be able to sleep less and piece more.
those bucket list quilts get me into more trouble!!
I am dreaming of a clamshell quilt in pale pinks and greens….
LikeLike