Good Morning, Quilters!
In my continued efforts to feel warmer…more seashells! (See last week’s The Sand Dollar-Free Motion Quilt tutorial)
Today we will be working on another all over or fill pattern. It can be used to cover large areas in your quilt. One shell builds on the previous shell and does not have to be stitched in a line.
THE OYSTER SHELL FREE MOTION QUILT TUTORIAL
Begin by stitching a small coil.
Reverse directions and echo stitch back to the beginning.
Continue echo stitching back and forth around the central coil.
Stitch three to five layers and then begin a new shell.
The new shell can begin either on the right or left of the completed shell.
Add shells on top of one another and shells on each side. Also, the initial coil can be stitched to the right or left…
To add a little more design, add a row of scallops between the layers.
Mix the “fancy shells” in with the plain oyster shells.
Or add a few loop-de-loops between the rows.
A little star-shaped spikes…
To make a long shell: Start with the Basic Oyster Shell and stitch back and forth in a taper shape.
This adds more interest to a beach full of plain oysters.
A grouping of Oyster Shells is a beautiful way to embellish any quilt. Don’t limit this beautiful motif to beach quilts…
This design is just pretty and will make a beautiful texture on your next quilt!
It’s easy and forgiving so give it a whorl!
From the beaches of Minnesota to you,
Happy Shelling,
Lori
PS…All tutorials, information and images are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog and pin with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt. For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com. Thanks!
