Dimensional Seashell Quilt

Simply Quilts : Episode QLT-822 -- More Projects »
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Instructions provided courtesy of guest Velda Newman.

Materials:
book: A Workshop With Velda Newman by Velda Newman
Pellon Tru-Grid - pattern grid material
Pebeo Setacolor paint or any acrylic fabric paint
Winsor & Newton short/flat size 10 paint brush
Rexel Derwent watercolor pencils
fabric
overhead projector transparency plastic
overhead projector or trace and enlarge the design on a window
light box
cotton batting
shells for inspiration

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Figure A
Steps:

Shell

1. Select shells to use as a model for drawing a shell pattern. Make a stylized drawing to serve as a pattern using overhead projector (figure A) with and transparency plastic.

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Figure B
2. Position the drawing created in step 1 on a light box. Place fabric on top of the pattern and trace the shell design on the fabric with a pencil (figure B).
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Figure C
3. Attach thin cotton batting that's been cut to 1/4-inch smaller than the shell pattern (figure C).

4. Machine-stitch two rows of stitching on the shell lines.

5. Spritz a fine mist of water onto the fabric to evenly moisten the fabric. Do not saturate.

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Figure D
6. Apply acrylic paint onto the stitched lines on the fabric (figure D).

7. Let dry. To speed up the process, heat-set the paint use a hair dryer.

Tucked shells

1. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for the first shell.

2. Trace the shell design onto a pattern grid.

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Figure E
3. Draw stitching (tucks) lines with a light box (figure E). Tucks add texture and dimension to the shells.

4. Cut fabric on the bias for the tucked shell pieces, cutting several shells at a time.

5. Fold on the stitching line and stitch 1/16-inch seams to form tucks.

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Figure F
6. Attach shell ends (figure F) to the shell.

7. Attach thin cotton batting that's been cut 1/4-inch smaller than the shell.

Reverse applique shell

1. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for the first shell.

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Figure G
2. Cut light and dark fabric shell patterns (figure G).

3. Trace pattern onto the fabric with a light box, draw stitching lines then stitch twice. Match thread to the top fabric for each shell.

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Figure H
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Figure I
4. Cut between the lines (figure H) or paint along the lines of the curves (figure I) for a dimensional appearance.
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Figure J
Seashell Panel Assembly

1. Turn shell edges under and stitch. Collage the shells together into a pleasing combination by overlapping the shells (figure J).

2. Topstitch shells in place.

3. Add backing and binding then outline-stitch the quilt.

Resources
A Workshop With Velda Newman
by Velda Newman
Order this title from Amazon.com.
Guests
Velda Newman
Quilt maker
882 Gold Flat Rd.
Nevada City, CA 95959
E-mail: velda@veldanewman.com
Website: www.veldanewman.com
Also in this Episode
Simply Quilts : Episode QLT-822
•Alegre Quilt Retreat
•Dimensional Seashell Quilt