Sew Very Easy Quilt-As-You-Go Clamshells with Laura Coia

I don’t know about you, but I love clamshell quilts. There’s something great about that one simple shape put together that makes an amazing quilt. With that being said, I don't always like all of the handwork that goes with making a traditional clamshell quilt. So, I took it out! I made my own quilt-as-you-go pattern that still makes the classic clamshell quilt.

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Laura Coia, and I am the founder and host of the YouTube channel, Sew Very Easy. I love teaching tips and techniques to make sewing and quilting easy and fun for everyone. This clamshell technique might be my favorite trick yet!

Fruit Punch Mini Quilt

If you've ever made a clamshell quilt before, you know it’s endless hand sewing. With my pattern, I've eliminated hand sewing altogether! What makes it 100% machine sewable is the shape. It’s almost like an ice cream cone with that classic peak at the bottom. This new shape makes it easy to match up the edges and sew one row after another. When it’s finished, it still looks like the traditional clamshell, but no one will be able to tell the difference. Let’s call it our little secret.

Desk Pad

Don’t worry, I haven’t actually kept it a secret. I’ve made a book to share with everyone. Sew Very Easy Quilt-As-You-Go Clamshells is a 5 project book to get you started. It’s got all the classics you know and love, like a table runner, a quilt, and pillows. Once you’ve mastered the technique, the possibilities for making are endless.

If you’ve ever seen one of my videos, you know I love the convenience of using pre-cut fabric and the speed of chain piecing. Naturally, my technique uses both of these things! Oh yes, that means this quilt-as-you-go clamshell pattern is made with 5” pre-cuts that get chain pieced together to make a beautiful project. Bonus: I’ve included a template and a coloring page so you can design your own projects once you’ve mastered my technique.

I do hope you give it a try. It’s quick, it’s easy, it’s fun, and it gives amazing results. Interested in more tips and tricks? Be sure to follow me on YouTube, where I post two videos every week. I truly hope you enjoy this technique as much as I do!

Have a sew-tacular day!

—Laura Coia, author of Sew Very Easy Quilt-As-You-Go Clamshells

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Laura Coia is the host of the inspiring and award-winning SewVeryEasy YouTube channel. Laura’s greatest joy is helping and encouraging others to enjoy sewing and quilting through her videos, patterns, and speaking engagements. She lives in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. youtube.com/SewVeryEasy