Time for another Clamshell Club report. The months seem to be flying past!! This month I made some progress on two clamshell projects — Clam Balloons and the Pickled Ladies.
In October I was actually able to tear myself away from the Pickled Ladies and add another clamshell diamond block, so now there are three. Two of the three are quite similar in that there’s a lot of the same fabrics in them, but once there are more blocks done and they are separated from one another I don’t think it’s going to be a problem. Mr. Q.O. says they remind him of hot air balloons which led me to a name for the quilt, Clam Balloons.
I have been so focussed on stitching the Pickled Ladies that I forgot just how much fun it is to put the clamshell diamonds together, and how quick. Two evenings of stitching and the diamond was done. Getting enough of the clamshell diamonds done to be able to sort out placement is a goal I have now for the end of the year. Then I can start adding the black sashing where necessary as well as the setting pieces and hopefully have this done rather quickly. The Clam Balloons won’t be a large bed quilt, but rather a good-sized lap quilt. I think it will be a great one to have in the winter as all those lovely bright colours that will make me think of summer.
There are now 43 Pickled Ladies, with another 35 or 40 waiting to be stitched. Some exotic Asian florals have been added to the mix. There are lots of little pieces waiting for me to stitch to make the arcs, and I plan to work on those this evening. This will be a long-term project as I’m pretty sure that I will keep going on this until it’s a bed-sized quilt.
One thing I really do need to do is sit down and figure out how many I’ll need for a bed-sized quilt and make some window templates for the setting pieces that I’ll use to square it off. Having the window templates will mean that I can print and cut those setting pieces as I’m printing and cutting the clamshells. And I know myself — if I leave that all to the end, I’ll keep putting it off and putting it off but if I have all the pieces ready to stitch, then the quilt top will get finished as soon as there are enough of the Pickled Ladies. I have a feeling I have less than a quarter of the blocks I’ll need for the quilt, so I’d best get back to work on them!
The cats have had a very relaxing weekend. Smudge:
Boy Cathi. I am not a floral person but your ladies are just going to be WOWERS!!!! Yes…..do a bed size quilt. Then give it to me in your will. LOL King size please.
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Love the name “Clam Balloons”. The black border really make the clams stand out. What can I say about the pickled ladies? They are awesome.
Kitties look so content today!
Charlsey
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I love the picture of all of the ladies in a group. That will be a beautiful quilt. I hope you will keep that one for yourself.
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I really like the way those pickled ladies are coming together. It’s such a great block!
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They do look like balloons! A lap quilt will be a nice size for them. And, the pickled ladies are just lovely!
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Cathi, I’ve been following your Inklingo quilts for a long time and each one is great, but I have to say that this pickled ladies design along with your fabric choices and placements, is your best one yet. Looking forward to see how you end up setting the whole thing! Have you thought about it?
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Both of these projects are just mouth-watering!!!
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Clam Balloons is oh.my.gosh – amazing. Aptly named. Luscious fabrics. Paradise to the eyes.
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Love the name, love the blocks! It simply hadn’t occurred to me that one could put them into blocks, you are realy quite amazing – and prolific! And as always, your Pickled Ladies astound me. I like the additions, they add another dimension that’s very beautiful.
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So many lovely clam shells!! You are certainly in love with this shape LOL. Love the name Clam Balloons….
Crispy
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Both projects are amazing! Love the design and colours and fabrics…and everything!
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Your Pickled Ladies are so pretty! What an amazing effect and all done by hand! WOW
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Clam Balloons I love the name 😉 How awesome they are and your pickled ladies. It will be such a beauty.
As usual I’m in awe of just how quick you sew 🙂
Nose rubs to kitties, hugs Ellyx
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I love your Clam Balloons! How amazing they look. I am really loving your colour selection.
And your pickled ladies are just breathtaking…
Well done!
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Is this a dumb question….I started a clam shell top 25 yrs. Ago, can’t figure out how you attach to a batting and backing..am I dumb or is there a trick?
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