Ruffled Clamshell Quilt or Cushion – Sunday 21st May + 11th June – Afternoons

Tutor – Catriona Brown

This class will teach you how to make clamshells with a contrasting ruffled top and how to assemble them into a quilt or cushion. The technique is one I developed myself based on a Duvet Cover I saw in Anthropologie. The addition of ruffled fabric on the top of each clamshell makes it easy to both turn under the top edge of the clamshell and to stitch them in place. On the first morning we’ll work with templates that will be provided as part of the class and learn how to economically cut the required clamshell shapes from fat quarters. We’ll also learn how to create and attach our ruffled fabric to make individual clamshells. You’ll have 3 weeks of homework time to get all the clamshells needed for your chosen quilt or cushion size completed. In the second class we’ll learn how to sew down our clamshells onto a backing fabric and position them neatly and accurately in their rows.

There will be fabric quantity guidance for two sizes of quilt, either 40”x52” or 60”x60” and a 20” square cushion. We can help you calculate requirements for alternate sizes if you’d like. The sample pictured is the cushion.

This is an interesting and different technique that makes a striking quilt with the illusion of tricky curved piecing when it’s actually rather simple. Bring your sewing machine, fabric (exact amounts will be sent with your order confirmation), and basic sewing kit. Sewing machines are available on request.

This is a great class for quilters and sewers of all levels but you must be able to use a sewing machine and stitch reasonably accurate lines and curves.