Cats and Clam Shells

 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.

 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.

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. 

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

A Splash of Dresden Sunshine

I have been working on appliqueing these Dresden plates since December last year and I am happy to say it is progressing really well.  As with all my projects, progress is a little slow as I am only a part-time quilter.  There are days when I am in the office that I wished to be at home quilting away but one's got to pay the bills and etc.

It's been really fun and therapeutic to work on this project as the vibrancy of the colors always put a smile on my face after a long day at work.  Nothing like a good color and quilting therapy to chill out with in front of the TV which is really only there for background noise.

Oh... Let's not forget it's Valentine's Day today - Happy Valentine's Day to all the quilters out there.  May your day be splashed with rays of sunshine and love from whatever form it comes in ie. a smile from a good looking guy on the tram/train, a huge cuddle from your kids, a parcel from the postie, your fabric stash and so forth.

Seeing it's a Work In Progress, I thought I'll link up to WIP Wednesday

Summer Lovin'

A sneak peak to what I'm working on currently as I wait patiently for summer to embrace us down under. 

Summer Love

Flowing breezes with gentle heat

Fragrant flowers scents so sweet

Blinding sunshine from up above

Spring romance now summer love

Bathers search for the perfect sun

As summer season has now begun

Golden bodies on the sandy beach

A summer love within their reach

The song of summer is on the air

As heartbeats join as one to share

With fiery lips they so gently kiss

Sharing a moment of loving bliss

As darkness falls upon the shore

Their feeling deepen ever more

With starlight falling from above

They lose each other in summer love

-Gordon Jerome-

"Share the love you have to give

And love the life you choose to live"

-Gordon Jerome-