Let's do one of my FAVORITE Clams!

FEATHER CLAMS!

This is such an elegant design!

There is 

NOTHING 

you can do to ruin this one!

Feathers are 

my

FAVORITE!

You can add feathers to 

ANYTHING,

and it's 

BEAUTIFUL!!!

Here's how to make 

Feathered Clams...

Just the drawing is beautiful!

You can make them different sizes,

or all about the same size.

Either way,

you have a very 

Elegant

design!

Here it is stitched out!

GORGEOUS!

Now,

Whatever type of feathers you do

is just right!

This design fills up such

an area,

you don't have to worry about 

things being perfect!

(We can't achieve perfection, though!)

And...

the way we get this design to fill the area?

You have to make those feathers reach

to fill in areas.

It's ok,

make them stretch!

So,

Just enjoy this FUN design!

Enjoy the process,

Enjoy doing it,

Enjoy the way it comes out!

It will be 

a

STUNNER!!!!

 Stitch the pieces of life together!

They make a BEAUTIFUL quilt!!!

Nina Clotfelter

Drawing!

I can't stress

how 

IMPORTANT

it is to 

draw,

draw,

DRAW!

Drawing your designs creates 

muscle memory.

Muscle memory 

is needed when you go to your machine

to quilt!

You need to draw each design

until you can draw them 

without hesitation.

Your movements are smooth,

and you know where to go.

THEN,

you can go to your quilt!

(Our sampler is 

JUST FINE

not being as good as our quilt will be!  

It's JUST an reference/idea book for your own personal use!) 

I'm talking about a real quilt,

NOT our sampler book.

So,

drawing to create muscle memory

is a little different

than just our regular writing.

How?

When we write,

our hand and arm are resting on the paper.

When we write,

we hold the pencil close to the point.

When we write,

our fingers and wrist move.

BUT...

WHEN WE DRAW

TO CREATE MUSCLE MEMORY...

We lift our hand and arm OFF the paper.

When we draw to create muscle memory,

we hold the pencil further away from the point.

When we draw to create muscle memory,

we LOCK our fingers and wrist!

This means just than...

LOCK them so they won't move!

Silly!

Not really!

Think about your hand position and movement

when you free motion quilt...

What moves?

ONLY YOUR ARMS AND ELBOW!

Let me show you...

take a piece of paper

and rest it on you keyboard.

Lightly lay your hands on the paper as if it were 

you're quilt your quilting.

Now,

move the paper as you would your quilt.

Only your elbow and arms move!

This was easy, since I knew you're at your computer...LOL!

So,

to create this movement when we are drawing,

LOCK your wrist and fingers!  

Make sure they don't move!

(I KNOW this isn't easy!  It took me a little bit to get it...

But I KNOW you can do this!)

Since I'm a DOMESTIC machine quilter,

That's what I've been talking about.

BUT...

If you're a longarm quilter,

the same principles apply!

When you draw to create muscle memory.

You would hold your pencil as you would your machine.

Lock your wrist,

and your arm and hand is off the paper.

Doing this will create the 

Longarm

muscle memory you'll need for each design.

Keep drawing!

That muscle memory is important!

(I can't tell you haw many of those .50 spiral notebooks I have

with drawings in them!  

You know, the inexpensive ones you get at the start of school?

Buy a few extra!

My kids are out of school,

but there are several left over...

Hannah Montana works for me!)

I'm off to START the cleaning process in my sewing room!

Wish me luck!

A friend of mine wants me to call her tonight,

so she knows I'm ok!

HA!

HA!

Stitch the pieces of life together!

They make a BEAUTIFUL quilt!!!

Nina Clotfelter

Look at these Flower clams!

Yesterday 

you were promised another version

of the flower clam...

Today

I deliver!

HA!

Here is the flower clam

with the rows of petals 

the same each pass.

Look at each row...

the petal size is the same for each row.

This adds an even texture.

As you look closely,

notice how EACH petal doesn't even touch the previous row.

That's OK!

Your eye sees it as touching...

funny eyes we have!

Also,

notice how each flower is different in size.

Again,

this adds interest.  

Really pretty!

On a quilt...

this is amazing!

Now,

we also talked about doing the petals in rows...

Here is Row Petal Flower Clam stitched out.

This is the SAME 

Flower Clam!

Hard to believe...

I KNOW!!!

The difference is simply making each 

petal touch the previous row in the same indention

as the previous row.

What you create is rows of petals.

Isn't it AMAZING

how many different designs 

you can make out of 

ONE 

simple quilt design?

How many more can we come up with?

Let's see what else we can do with clams!

Are you keeping up?

If you quilt these 2 samples,

you'll have 6 quilted samples of 

Clams!

Stitch the pieces of life together!

They make a BEAUTIFUL quilt!!!

Nina Clotfelter

Flower Clam!

Ok...

Let's get into some new stuff here...

(We had to get the wavy clam 

into our sample...sorry for the repeat!)

Our 4th CLAM!

This is a design that really 

adds

A LOT

of texture!

These flowers take a little practice...

as any design does!

There are several ways you can do the

flower part.

1.  You could make the petals each hit the center of the previous petal.

What this does, is make each row have larger and wider petals.

These can only get to a certain size before they are too big.

2. You can make the petals each hit the same indent as the previous petal.

This will create a "row" effect of the petals.

These, too, will get too big quickly.

3.  You can keep each row of petals the same size and NOT be concerned

with where each petal hits the previous row.

This will create rows of petals that can go on as long as you want.

You can see some of each in my drawing.

I didn't do #3 in my stitched out piece.  

Why not?

Hmmm...

I have NO idea!

LOL!

I'll stitch another section and post it later today

of #3.

This is actually my favorite way to make this

Flower Clam.

 

And here is the first stitch out of the

Flower Clam.

This shows some of technique #1 and mostly #2.

If you were to do this in a matching thread,

you would have a LOT of

texture!

Using a contrasting thread?

Still creates lots of texture,

but also adds SO much interest to look at!

Stitch yours out...

you will now have one page completed!

YAY!

Leave your fabric as a whole piece.

When we've completed all the pages,

we'll cut it up 

and

put each page in page protectors.

You'll have an

AMAZING

reference book!

Your samples don't have to be perfect!

It's just to give you and 

IDEA!

Enjoy your stitching!

Sew the pieces of life together!

It makes a BEAUTIFUL quilt!!!

Nina Clotfelter

Wavy Clams

I know

we did this one the other day...

but...

let's put it on our project!

Here it is again...

And here is a sample of the Wavy Clam 

Here is my Wavy Clam stitched out for our book!

Yes, 

I stitch off the edge of my "quilt"

when I want quilting to go 

ALL

the way to the edge.

That's why you have extra on the edges,

(and so you have something to maneuver with,

and square up with before adding your binding.)

 Stitching off the edge

for can help you keep your rhythm going!

Again,

please notice how each clam is 

NOT

the same size!

This adds interest.

If you are just wanting texture,

you might want to make each clam

more the same size

and,

use a thread to match your fabric.

The texture will be 

AMAZING!!!

Stitch the pieces of life together!

They make a BEAUTIFUL quilt!!!

Nina Clotfelter

A little funny...

I have to tell you about my travels

back home from

Machine Quilters Showcase

in

Cedar Rapids, Iowa...

This is 

simply funny...

If you read about my 

travel expeditions

getting to MQS

which included

3 airports,

in 3 states,

5 flights...all cancelled,

and 35 hours later...

I checked into my hotel.

(I did miss teaching my first class...

So SORRY ladies!!!!)

Coming home...

My flight was to leave at 10am.

At 7:30am,

I get a recording saying my flight has been delayed...

HA!

Here we go again!

My husband also called to tell me my flight is delayed.

I called the airline to find out it was a plane change causing the delays.

So,

As I'm waiting for my flight,

my wonderful husband calls me.

He just 

HAD

to inform me my flight was delayed again...

due to SNOW in Mobile, Alabama!

HAHAHA!

BLAHAHAHAHA!!!

At least we can laugh about our adventure

the week before!

  

Rounded Clams

This is a fun design!

Look how pretty it is!

This is 

JUST 

like what we did yesterday!

The 

ONLY 

difference....

The shape you make as you echo each time.

Yesterday we went 

wide

and 

kind of flat on top.

Today

we are keeping it round!

Here it is...

And here it is stitched out!

(gotta love that little black thread in the sandwich!)

Clams are such a 

FUN

design!!!

There are SOOO

MANY

different things you can do with Clams!

We've 

ONLY

just begun!

Stitch this out today...

we'll have another 

CLAM

design tomorrow!

Stitch the pieces of like together!

They make a BEAUTIFUL quilt!!!

Nina Clotfelter

Our first design!

Just kidding....

We're going back to 

CLAMS!

Let's make that the first design

of your book.

First...

I divided my 9"x11"(ish) section

into 4ths.

Clams

will have several

other designs from it.

But...

we're just going to do 4.

Here it is again...

(Or you can go back to the other day...)

So,

here is my stitch out

on the new 

sampler.

Notice,

all clams are not the same size.

This adds interest!

Now do yours!

Please post pictures of your work!

Sew the pieces of life together!

It makes a BEAUTIFUL quilt!

Nina Clotfelter

"What If" Project!

Let's do a project together!

We'll call this

our

"What If"

Project!

Why?

Because we'll quilt one design,

then

quilt variations of that design.

This is my

"What If" mentality!

It can take only a simply little change

to 

TOTALLY

create a new quilting  design.

So...

Let's have FUN!!!

FIRST...

Cut a 1 1/4 yard of white, 

or solid fabric for the top.

Cut a batting a little larger.

Cut a backing a little larger than the batting.

On your top,

Fold it in half, crease, open back up, then mark that line.

(I used a blue water soluble marker.  You could easily use a Fixion pen. Even a permanent marker would do,  We'll be trimming each section in the end so it will fit into a clear page protector.)

Now, fold the side into that mark, crease, open back up, and mark that line.

do the same on the other side.

You should have 

4 equal (ish) lines.

Now,

do this in the opposite direction.

This will give you 

16

sections on your top.

Each section should measure 

roughly 9"x11".

Now,

Pin all layers together...

or however you prefer to baste!

Here's mine!

See how I have 

16 sections?

Each is roughly 9"x11".

I'm ready to go now!

Go ahead,

get yours ready!

We're going to have so much 

FUN

exploring different designs!

How they're quilted!

How to change them up!

And you'll have a

sampler of 32-64

free motion quilting designs

when we're finished!

Are you ready?

I'll post in a few hours

our first design...

Stitch the pieces of life together!

It makes a BEAUTIFUL quilt!

Nina Clotfelter

Wavy Clams

Wavy Clams

Ok...

For those of you 

who have taken a class with me...

You already know this about me...

I have a 

"What If" mentality.

What does this mean?

For me,

it's all about seeing what else 

can be made out of a design.

What if...

I change this line?

Make it wavy?

Go this way instead of that?

There are so many different things we can do!

SO...

we did the

CLAM

yesterday.

Today...

What if we make it a wavy line?

Here it is...

Really pretty...

Right?

This is a great filler,

either large or small!

Here's how you 

create it...

Please,

remember...

learning a new design

DOES

take practice!

Be patient with yourself!

Allow yourself time to learn a new design!

The fun is 

ENDLESS!!!

Now,

Your clams will NOT

look like mine!

You learn clams the way your hands

want to create them!

That's what makes the world so 

AMAZINGLY

BEAUTIFUL!!!!

None of us

are 

exactly alike!

You be YOU!

And mostly...

Be 

HAPPIEST

as

YOU!!!

You're 

FABULOUS

JUST 

the way 

YOU

ARE!!!!

Stitch the pieces of life together!

They make a BEAUTIFUL quilt!!!

Nina Clotfelter

Let's learn to quilt CLAMS!

CLAMS!

The free motion quilting design

"Clams"

is such a beautiful design!

You can use clams,

in any size,

as a gorgeous background fill!

You can use it large,

in most of your background.

You can use it small,

in just little sections.

And anything in between!

Let's do this!

PLEASE,

PLEASE,

PLEASE,

know every design takes practice!

Get a notebook

and draw the design 

over,

and over,

and over,

and over

again!

This is great to do for 2 reasons...

1. You get to practice the design and get it down 

before taking it your machine.

2. Drawing a design over and over creates a muscle memory 

you need when you go to your machine.

Here is a picture of clams quilted out!

Beautiful!

Right!?

Here's how to create your own...

PLEASE know...

we each have very different hand writing!

(Way to point out the obvious, Nina!)

I say this because...

Your clams will look different from mine.

You friends clams will look different then yours. 

Be happy with YOUR clams!

You can do this!!!!

You get into a groove with this degin!

It's LOADS of FUN!!!

Tomorrow,

we'll make a little change 

that will totally change the look!

Sew the pieces of life together!

They make a BEAUTIFUL quilt!!!

Nina Clotfelter

MQS Classes!

Oh, SO many designs!

This was a FUN class!!!

Everyone was working on a

sit down longarm!

Thank you 

Nolting 

for supplying the classroom machines!

LOOK!!!
Each of the ladies
did SUCH AN AMAZING JOB!!!
LOOK!!!

We quilted a design,

then looked at several ways 

we could change it.

(Sorry...the lighting was awful!)

The idea is...

when they finish their sample,

each section will fit into a page protector

for a great reference.  

Oh,

the amount of

FUN

we had!!!

Everyone learned SO many new designs!

(As in 28-32 designs!)

Tomorrow,

we'll start going over

some designs!

Join me one this venture!

Sew the pieces of life together!

They make a BEAUTIFUL quilt!

Nina Clotfelter  

Traveling...

WELL...

I didn't get to

Cedar Rapids yesterday!

I have a Beginning Free Motion Quilting class

This morning at 8am!

For those of you in this class...

I'm so sorry!

I'm in an airport

trying

VERY

 hard to get there!

I hope you'll understand and be able 

to make the rescheduled the class!

It's SUCH a FUN class!!!

It all started yesterday

when I arrived at the Mobile, AL airport at 6am.

My American Airlines 7:30 flight was cancelled!

The agent booked me on a Delta flight 

out of Gulfport, MS.

My WONDERFUL husband

drove me over there.

No seats available!

They booked me on a American flight out of 

New Orleans...

Flight cancelled!

They put my on another Delta flight.

No seats available!

Then I was booked on a 

United flight

for this morning...

but they didn't finish the ticket.

This means I can't reserve a seat, 

or print a boarding pass!

The American Airline phones were so busy,

they just hung up on me!

I also held on hold for 2 hours...to be disconnected.

Again, hold for 2 hours...disconnected.

Again, hold for 3.5 hours...at 1:30 am

I hung up and went to bed

Did you get that?

3 airports,

3 states,

5 flights...

My husband is still with me ladies!

He got us a hotel room last night.

Now,

 know he had no change of clothes,

no toothbrush,

no necessities at all,

 no book to read...

And he just wanted to make sure I was able to get out today.

As horrible of the day

yesterday was...

it sure was nice to have 

my wonderful, amazing husband 

there with me...

even if he couldn't fix it.

He is my rock,

my friend,

my supporter,

my encourager,

my greatest fan,

my even greater believer in ME!

I hope and pray each of you 

has a husband

as wonderful as mine!

Be good to your husband!

We'll be celebrating our 

28th wedding anniversary

this August 1st!

I LOVE HIM EVEN MORE 

THAN WHEN WE MARRIED!  

We've been through SO much

TOGETHER!

Thank you honey!!!

You're my hero!

So...

this morning...

we got up at 5am again...

went to the New Orleans airport...

got American to finish the united ticket...

checked into United...

now I wait for my flight...

PLEASE,

PLEASE,

PLEASE

pray these flights land as scheduled!

I'm asking you to be prayer warriors

for me!

United #1908 N.O. to Chicago

United #5953 Chicago to Cedar Rapids

PLEASE PRAY!

In the mean time...

love on your husband today!

(Or a friend!)

Thanks for listening...

I had to vent...

I don't do much of that...

I a positive person

with a positive outlook on life.

But,

yesterday got me.

Have a blessed day!

And I hope each of you had a 

WONDERFUL

MOTHER'S DAY!

Sew the pieces of life together!

They make a BEAUTIFUL quilt!

Nina Clotfelter

MQS Cedar Rapids, Iowa!

Machine Quilters Showcase

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

HERE I COME!

I'm going to 

TEACH

at MQS!

I'll be teaching

ALL week!

7 classes!

This is also the show 

Mardi Gras!

and

Fantasia Too!

were sent to.

I'm getting all my

student handouts ready!

Preparing the fabrics!

Packing samples!

Oh, can't forget those candies!

I

LOVE

what I do!!!

If you know anyone going to this 

QUILT SHOW...

tell them to come see say "HI"!

Or take a class from me! LOL!

Wish me luck everyone!

Sew the pieces of life together...

They make a BEAUTIFUL quilt!

Nina Clotfelter

Paper piecing class!

FUN!!!

FUN!!!

FUN!!!

Oh, we had a fun class!

Here is the class sample of what we make in class!

We worked on getting all 4 sections completed...

and 

almost made it!

Here are a few student 

pieces...

FABULOUS JOB!!!

I wish I had gotten 

pictures of each 

persons work before they left!

Sorry about that!

They were ALL

AMAZING!

Great class!

You ladies were wonderful!

I can't wait to see them all completed!

Keep on going!!!

Sew the pieces of life together...

They make a BEAUTIFUL quilt!

Nina