*

*

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

My First Clamshell Club Report


Well I have finally started after doing lots of research and receving some much need advice. 

I decided I would order papers from Lizard of Oz only to find that when they arrived, they were printed onto a sheet and I had to cut them all out!  I'm too lazy for that but the instructions that came with them were very informative.

I covered some papers and then decided I would join them together - that is when all the fun started.  I found it nearly impossible to keep them all straight and in line and dreaded to think how I was going to attach the following rows. 

Jean from Linen & Raspberry has been working on her own clamshell quilt that she had done in a class with Brigitte Giblin and I have been admiring her progress for some time.  In a recent post, she mentioned that Brigitte Giblin has a new website and you can buy her patterns and download them as soon as you have paid for them, so that is what I did.

Brigitte's method doesn't use papers at all and is different to everything I had previously read.  Unfortunately I can't do a tutorial on it because it is directly from her pattern, but if you are interested, I found her website to be great.  The pattern was very reasonably priced and the download worked like a charm.  If you click on her name above, it will take you to her website.


I have managed to make 33 clamshells but as yet, haven't sewn any rows.  I would like to thank Jean and Robyn from Daisy Quilts, for their advice and also a big thankyou to Cybelle for organising the Clamshell Club.

I am looking forward to visiting all the other members and see their progress and making some new cyber friends.  Cybelle has a list on her sidebar and you can click on the Clamshell Club button on my sidebar to take you to her blog.

I haven't been leaving many comments over the last couple of days as I have a very sore shoulder and I am sure it is from all this computing!!!!  I have been reading everyone's posts and please forgive me if I haven't been commenting, hopefully it will right itself soon.

Sue-Anne xxx

37 comments:

RG said...

Hello Sue-Anne,
Gee you've made some fantastic progress!!!
I'm happy to have been of help if I was *grin*
It's an interesting journey this one, with seemingly plenty of ways of doing it ;-)

I really hope your shoulder gets better soon.
Yep I know when I've been on too much, my shoulder plays up too.

I've used BG's site too...bought a bag pattern. I was amazed at the awesome quick service!
Feel better really soon xx
Robyn

Béa said...

Very beautiful start. I ordered 4 days ago the BG's pattern for the little bag with 1/2" hexagons, what a coincidence ! My first try with hexies ...

Elyte said...

Good luck with those clam shells. Really like the colours you have chosen. Take care of that shoulder and delegate some jobs to your recently returned son. I'm sure he would love to help.

Janet said...

I hope your shoulder gets better soon. Don't worry about replying. Your clamshells are gorgeous! I ordered the hex bag too, downloadable patterns are so great.

Julia said...

That's it Sue-Anne, I'm off to visit BG too...Don't reply, rest that shoulder of yours , you need it good to sew those clamshells..BTW they look great!
Julia ♥

katrien said...

Great your clamshells,you use lovely fabrics for it.

Nat Palaskas said...

They are gorgeous clamshells Sue-Anne. You can use up all your scraps and get more as well haha! Look after your shoulder. It could be the cold weather we have been having in Vic too. Thanks for the links. Will go and check them out now.
Hugs Nat

Jossie said...

Sue-Ann you made a great start. The shells look gorgeous. Are you using scraps too? I do. I'll have a look at B. Giblin's site later. I look forward to next month! Take it easy with your shoulder.

retdairyqueen said...

Hope your shoulder is better soon

Siobhán said...

Sue-Anne, your clamshells are BEAUTIFUL!! I hope you are feeling better--take care of that shoulder!

Cubby House Crafts said...

Rest up that arm of yours! Loving your clamshells!
Lisa

yvonne said...

Wauwwwwww!!!!!! prachtig

groetjes yvonne

Karen said...

Beautiful clamshells Sue-Anne! I'm using papers and am interested in how it works out for you without them. Just to test, I did baste back the top edge of a clamshell without a paper template and am concerned as to how stretchy it is and if it will distort as I applique it down. I'm thinking without the papers I would have a harder time keeping a straight row, at least well piecing the first two rows.

Hope your shoulder is better soon. My back is giving me trouble and sitting for an length of time is a killer.

Unknown said...

Know what you mean about the shoulder..I am Lovin these Clam Shells...I love Brigits work so thanks for the link...Yours are looking Great...Rest up now.
cheers

Cathi said...

Your fabric choices for the clamshells are lovely! It's so interesting to see all the different methods being used to make clamshells. I'm hand piecing and just love working with them!

Broderie and The Kingston Girls said...

the clamshells have been calling me and i keep trying to ignore them! your start is very beautiful, sewing would have nothing to do with the shoulder????? get better soon!

Brandie said...

Beautiful clamshells! That is quite a project. Take care of that shoulder!

Denise in PA said...

I have been inspired to make clamshells myself - thank you so much for the tips. I'm going to check out all the sites! I love the fabrics you are using by the way! o:)

Willie said...

Hoi,
Het is een heel mooi begin van de clamshellquilt . Hopen dat we allemaal goed gedaan.
vergeef mijn slechte Engels , heb ik nooit geleerd .
Groeten en liefde Willie Landman
Oet Grunn'n .

Deb said...

I'm really enjoying your progress on this and the tips that you share. Really love the fabrics you're using!

Daniëlle said...

Oh my!! Love your clams!! Must have a look at the website you mentioned! Please take good care of your shoulder, hugs, Daniëlle

grendelskin said...

Take care of that shoulder, you need it! Your clamshells look great, I'll be very interested to know whether the new pattern makes assembly any easier; update us please as you progress!

Sweet Cinnamon Stitches said...

The colour mix of you clamshells is divine...hope your shoulder is better soon.
Jane.

Valentina said...

Dear Sue-Anne, please take care of that shoulder, PLEASE!!! Rest.
Your clams are gorgeous, and as usual I am blown away by your colour-play.I am so very happy we are sharing this project, too!
:)
xox do not reply to this comment!

Deb said...

I love the way it looks so far Sue-Anne. I hope your shoulder recovers quickly.

Marjan said...

Absolutely beautiful, your clamshells! I love the fabrics you used.
Be careful with your shoulder! All the best!
Marjan

quilting Jeannet said...

What a beautifull colrs for your clamshellquilt. Take care of your shoulder!!

greetings, Jeannet

Ivory Spring said...

The fabrics you are using for your clam shells are fantastic!

Unknown said...

I just saw this in a magazine and thought what a great project. Yours looks fabulous dahlink!

Sandra Henderson said...

Dear Sue-Anne, please take care of your shoulder honey. I hope you feel better soon.
These clamshells are so beautiful with the fabrics you've chosen and your stitching is beautiful!
Oh, I had a lovely conversation with Terry today (Terry's Thread). She's doing as well as can be expected and is packing to come home. So nice to her her sweet voice. :)

julieQ said...

Don't those clamshells look just gorgeous! I love your colors...always do. I am glad you found the right resource to help you...I have a very old pattern, and it is all handpiecing...hard...no papers!!

Mayleen said...

Your clam shells are so beautiful! I always admire the fabrics you use in your quilts. A technique which doesn't use papers? Hmmm, makes me very curious!

Barb said...

Wow - these clamshells are beautiful! Can't wait to see them progress

Anonymous said...

Thank you for visiting my blog , but you should REALLY rest your shoulder!!
I love your clamshells and the rhytm of the colours.
Take care!

Annette said...

Wow you are very quick. They are so pretty. I love your fabrics!!

Anonymous said...

I just found your blog and I love it!! You do beautiful work!!!

Also I was wondering if you would share your recipe for your sausage rolls. They look sooo yummy.

Snuglewmn@aol.com

Barb said...

So I love Swan Lake.I have a stash desperate for Swan Lake is it an available pattern,some thing your creating and when and where will it be available.
Loving your work
Barb C