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Wednesday 25 February 2015

Cats and Clam Shells

clam shell quilt

 This is a commissioned quilt that I was really excited to make.  Since stepping out of my comfort zone in sewing curves from the Flowering Snowball Along Quilt, I have wanted to step it up with the confidence I had gained from the sew-along to make a clam shell quilt.

clam shell quilt

 I fell in love with the clam shell quilt when the 'Glam Clam Quilt' by Latifah Saafir burst into the quilting scene a couple of years back (I think it was a couple of years back).  I was dying to make one however, I was not ready to face the dreaded curves back then.

cat nap lizzy house

I was very lucky that I had a friend that wanted a clam shell quilt and she had commissioned me to make one (all about timing they say!).  If you are interested in making a Glam Clam Quilt, you can access a free tutorial here. 

lizzy house

I decided to use the 8" clam shell template as I thought the 12" block might be too big for a baby quilt.  I also think that 8" is a better size as I like small and intimate blocks but a 12" block would look just as amazing!

cat nap fabric

We decided on Lizzy House Catnap Bundle which in my opinion has the loveliest fabric prints.  I have used mainly the coral, grey, mustard and pink fabric as this was for a baby girl and mixed them up with an assortments of grey fabrics and solid white.

cat nap fabric

Catnap is a fun and cute fabric bundle with addition of simple geometry prints to compliment the bumdle.  I especially love the mice print that is quirky and funny.  Together with contrasting deep dark chocolate and bright pink super cute cat faces added interesting and playful quality to the quilt.

cat nap

As for the quilt backing, the client wanted something playful, so we decided on Flamingos which went extreme well with the rest of the colour way and feel of the quilt.

stripes

When it came to the quilting process, I was a little unsure on how to proceed.  I knew my domestic sewing machine and I was not up to quilting curves and I only do straight line quilting for now!  So I thought I might try the waffle quilting look and hope that it would compliment the elegant curves.  I am so glad that it turned out great!  The lines are quilted an inch apart.  This generated a lovely texture and a beautiful draping effect to the quilt.

glam clam

stripes

For the binding, I have opted for a simple stripe binding.  The coral matched really well with the rest of the colour way.  It also added a good contrast to the curves.

cat nap

Quilt facts:
Quilt design: Glam Clam Quilt 8" block by Latifah Saafir
Quilt size: 40" x 52"
Fabric: Catnap Fat Quarter Bundle by Lizzy House, Silver Tarnish Bundle from Westwood Acres Fabric, Kona Solid in White
Backing Fabric: Lula Flamingo in Orange from the Lula Magnolia Range by The Quilted Fish
Binding: Little Coral Clown Stripe by Michael Miller
Batting: 100% Cotton batten
Quilted using Auril Thread

Thank you for stopping by and Happy Quilting!

Jacqueline xx

6 comments:

  1. It looks fabulous! Love the colors. I'm drawn to quilts with curves but haven't yet worked up the courage to try one. One of these days I will....

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  2. This is amazing! I love the larger clamshells and you choice of quilting. Beautiful job.

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  3. A very beautiful quilt. Love the colours and the backing in perfect.

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  4. This is beautiful ... just found you through Pinterest ... and thank you for the link to the pattern :)

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  5. looks like the tutorial is no longer available. Can you provide details on how you did the curves? Pins, glue, etc?

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    1. Hello,

      I pin the cut out curves drawn from the template provided then sew the curves together with a sewing machine. You can purchase the pattern from here http://shop.latifahsaafirstudios.com/ which will have all the instructions you will need.

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