This is has not been my favorite quilt to make! I shouldn't say that, but it's true! I found it very cumbersome sewing each clam row by row. And that last row!!! I had to redo the last several blocks because somehow...I went very wrong!
All that being said, I love the design and I love how this one turned out. We all say we love being pushed and trying new things. Well, this did both of those things for me. My Clams are 8" and I can imagine the 12" would be much easier. I actually wanted to use the 6" template...it still could happen!
I don't want to influence and scare you away from the Glam Clam. I think when (yes, I'll do it again!) I try again it will be much easier and perhaps the results will even be better!
My goal coming back from vacation was to finish all my WIP's before I start something new. I can check this one off my list!
Next on my list is using the scraps from this quilt. And there are plenty! The waste after cutting the clams is substantial and well worth coming up with a scrap quilt plan. I decided to make Drunkards Path block.
What I do love about the Clammy Ruler is you can make quarter, half and full circle blocks. All the info is on the ruler. I took the 6" ruler and cut my scraps into quarter circles first.
Works like a charm! I then had to decide on the background fabric. Simple, keep it simple and go with white.
And by the way...I now have a stack of quarter circles in white I have to figure out what to do with!! It's possible they will make it into this quilt since I am just making for the sake of making these blocks! Wait and see!
All the parts and pieces are ready. I pressed a crease in the center each piece to make it easier to line up.
My next brilliant idea (debatable!) was to glue baste all the blocks. Why would I do that? Couple reasons. I don't have to pin. I don't have to fight with the pieces to line up. And most importantly, I could glue baste the blocks in the evenings while watching my favorite programs!
I put the portable pressing mat on my lap, the iron hot (no steam), the glue and fabric all within reach. I've said in many times that I like having something to do in the evenings. This was a pretty mindless process that would have used a chunk of my productive daytime time.
Another reason I glue basted these blocks was so I'd be able to stitch a few here or there and in between projects. I didn't necessarily want to stitch them all right away. My main goal was to use the large scraps from a previous quilt right away so they wouldn't linger in the abyss!
I'm starting to get ideas for this quilt. Maybe make circles with four blocks, maybe not. Maybe half circles or maybe full circles! Aren't Drunkard's Path blocks fun?!
I have my green tub full of blocks ready to sew. Can you guess how many I have so far? I'll admit...I did count them! I have 121 blocks primed and ready to go!
Have you made a Glam Clam quilt? Or two? Was it easier the second time around? I certainly don't want to be a quitter and throw in the towel...but in my opinion...it was hard!
LINKING:
Love the clam quilt. Such nice colours! Looks difficult to me. Time consuming!!!! Although I really like the pattern, I am not ready to start anything like this!
ReplyDeleteIt was a tough one, but worth it in the end!!
DeleteClam quilt look well . What I fancy trying is a quilti with circles . Or those half or quarter circles . On my list as they say
ReplyDeleteDon’t we all have a list a mile long? And we keep adding to it! I do love the look of the Glam Clam quilt…it was complicated for me though!
DeleteIt was forth the effort imo. Love the look of your clam quilt.
ReplyDeleteI love quite some of the clam designs but without instructions I am hesitant to try out. Do you know of a video where she teaches her method? BTW can you apply glue basting there too?
I’m happy with the finish of this quilt! It was a work out for me! If I hadn’t taken Latifah’s class I would never have known how to piece the clams together and the pattern is so important in the process too. I don’t know if I’d try with out the pattern! I’m including a link to one of Latifah’s YouTube videos for piecing the clams without pins. I don’t know if the glue basting would work, since there is a bit of ‘tugging’ involved sometimes with the clams!
Deletehttps://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjNvLy1543VAhWg3oMKHXrGCqAQtwIIUDAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D76PoDJl7vDw&usg=AFQjCNGOjESa4XitmLAXoxkvbh0Dn_C2LA
Your Glam Clam quilt is wonderful, Jayne! It's good you can say you didn't really enjoy the process of making this one, but are glad you did it anyway. I had to laugh about you using up the scraps of it to make Drunkard's Path blocks, which in turn created some more scraps to use up! Isn't that the ife of a quilter?!
ReplyDeleteIf we don’t try a technique or process, we would never know if we like it! I am pretty sure I’ll try the Glam Clam again. It has to be easier the second time around! As for making some thing from scraps and creating more scraps…seems like that happens nearly every time!
DeleteLove the clams and the Drunkard's Path blocks. The colors are great! When my grandmother made clam shell quilts, she appliqued the rows together, one on top of the other. Certainly seems easier than piecing them all. Lots of pressing, though!
ReplyDeleteI think I will like the DP scrappy one even more than the clams! Genius idea to glue baste.
ReplyDeleteThe larger the curve, the easier they are to sew for sure. I'm glad you were able to persist and get the Glam Clam quilt finished. And how awesome to have all those drunkard path block prepped and ready to sew. Glue basting is rather magical...
ReplyDeleteI've made just one glam clam and it was with the 12" ruler. I was surprised how quickly that quilt went together and I'm so glad I made it, but not sure I'll make another. I HAVE used my Clammy ruler on several other projects tho - it's the best!
ReplyDeleteGreat job putting those scraps to work immediately. I look forward to seeing how you lay this one out. I find your glue basting intriguing. I might have to give it a try. Thanks for linking up with Oh Scrap!
ReplyDeleteHi Jayne! This looks fantastic! I have to say that I'm not ready for this challenge and I'm thinking how on earth you sew all that by machine! That ruler must be really good and I'm excited about your new project! x Teje
ReplyDeleteA lovely quilt! I must admit, I've looked at making this a few times but then thought the better of it! Interesting to read your comments about it, so glad you perservered and made such a pretty quilt!
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful quilt but I love an honest account of when the sewing becomes a bit more of a slog than a joy!! But in for a penny and you have a beautiful quilt (plus the bonus dp quilt!).
ReplyDeleteI love the look of this quilt and the colours you have chosen are my favourites! I've had the pattern for a while and it's on my list for one day. Every time I see one it moves a little further up the making wish list - thanks for the heads up on degree of difficulty, I will get other curves under my belt before I try it or else it might put me off forever!
ReplyDeleteTurned out lovely!!! Love that turn of phrase too -- linger in the abyss. I might need to make a sign for my sewing room "Welcome to the abyss" because all my scraps linger for yeeeaaaarrrsss. :D I love to see you use them immediately.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful! I've done a flowering snowball and just accepted that things weren't going to be perfect. Maybe a glam clam is next! Love, love, love your colors.
ReplyDeleteWow! 121 blocks from scraps. I appreciate your honesty on the clam block as it's been on my on maybe list. Keep going!
ReplyDeleteIt was worth it! It's very pretty. I'm on a circle kick this year and having lots of fun. Last year it was HSTs.
ReplyDeleteTackling curves is on my list of things to do some day. I feel the need to really push myself. But I don't know if I'm ready for this one yet! Yours looks great Jayne. I hope your next one is easier! :)
ReplyDeleteThere is no reason to hang your head if you don't return to clams, and move on to things you enjoy more...we only have so much time! You have a beautiful top to show for your brave effort!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to make a Glam Clam quilt, too. I hadn't thought of glue basting them. Looks tricky. Your quilt top looks adorable!
ReplyDeletethe glam clam tempts me and scares me at the same time... every time I look at the pattern I feel like that moment in a horror movie when you scream "don't go in the basement!!" LOL! someday...
ReplyDeleteThere can't be many techniques you havnt tried Jayne. Multitalented is how I would describe you. I have always wanted to try clamshells, but when I get around to it I think I'll make it a cushion :-)
ReplyDeleteI had a hard time with my last row, too. The rest of the rows went ok for me. I still haven't decided if I'm going to quilt it on my own (I did throw size) or outsource that part of it! Can't wait to see yours in person - It looks great!
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. Drunkard's Path blocks are super fun with endless possibilities. Like Kate says - you are so talented and creative that you will make the most inane thing sparkle :-)
ReplyDelete