Avalon Clamshell Pillow Tutorial
This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share a commission.I seem to be on a pillow kick lately, but I’m sure you have noticed that. They are so easy and fun to make.
This is a fast and easy Avalon Clamshell Pillow tutorial that I think you will like.
I used a charm pack of Avalon by Joanna Figueroa, Fig Tree & Co. for Moda that I have been hanging on to and decided I had better use it.
I used my AccuQuilt GO! Baby and the 4-inch clamshell die. You can use any of the AccuQuilt GO! die cutters with this die.
I really enjoy raw applique and fast projects so…..I didn’t use the die the way it is actually meant to be used.
After I cut my clamshells out I trimmed off the notches on top.
I cut a piece of muslin approximately 15 inches square and then start laying the clamshells in a row at the top. I put a little dab of glue on the back to hold them in place.
After I did a couple rows I then stitched along the top edge with my free motion quilting foot on my sewing machine.
Some of the clamshells started moving on me so I found it was much easier to just glue one row at a time and then stitch. You can see how I overlapped the pieces.
I placed a piece of batting behind the muslin.
Most of the time I also put a backing on my pillow tops but didn’t do it on this one. I went ahead and free-motion quilted each clamshell.
When I was finished I squared up my piece.
I just happened to have some fabric that matched pretty well and a zipper!!
I thought you might enjoy seeing the scraps from the 5 inch charm squares.
I was able to cut 2 – 1½-inch squares from each leftover piece.
I even have a little project almost done using them but I’ll have to wait to show that to you.
The 4-inch Clamshell die will work with all of the AccuQuilt GO! cutting machines.
Would you like to make a bigger pillow or a quilt? There is also an 8-inch clamshell die. It is compatible with the GO!, GO! Big and Studio cutter.
Looking for more AccuQuilt tutorials – go here.
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About Connie
Hi, I’m Connie Kresin Campbell, the quilter, writer, and photographer behind Freemotion By the River. I enjoy inspiring others with my quilt tutorials and patterns. You’ll also see my sweet adopted dogs from time to time.
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Hello Connie; Your Clamshell Pillow is so pretty! I had to go and see if we have the clam shell die cutter and we do! I think this is one pattern my Mother would like on a pillow for her couch or the spare bedroom. So, thank you so much for sharing your tutorial and your lovely finished pillow! It truly is inspirational! Have a great day!
Thanks Brenda, I hope you make the pillow for your mom!
Really cute looking pillow. Thanks for linking up over at Quilt Art Designs.
Gosh – I would make a pillow just like you. Very nice way the way you used it, but I think I would do the sewing – those notches make it so easy to match things up. Thanks for the chance. I already follow you!
I love your pillow, and I love charm packs – what a great project! Thanks for the give away!
This would be great for cutting up my scraps.
I'd like to use the clamshell die to make a wallhanging. Thank you for the opportunity to own one!
I love the clamshell and the way you used the die is so much easier! I plan to use your instructions to make a bag. Love your blog, and follow every chance I get!
I would like the 4" clamshell to make a lap quilt for our living room. Thanks for the giveaway! sarah@forrussia.org
What a beautiful pillow. i would love to make a quilt with this clam pattern. 🙂
love the pillow!
I would make a baby quilt with the die. Your pillow looks great!
The pillow is wonderful. I agree with the comments to make a purse. Great tutorial.
I've wanted to make a clamshell with 30's prints for a long time. Prob a lap quilt. I was surprised that you cut off the notches and appliqued– I'd wondered how easy it would be to piece the clamshells together– guess the method you used is much easier…..
I love your pillow and would probably start out making a pillow before heading into a full quilt with these clam shells. They look a little tricky….but oh so cute!
I have a new Go! Baby and sure could use some dies!
It cracked me up, when you said you didn't use the die exactly as it was designed. That's creativity working for sure. I'm seeing and hearing about more and more quilters using glue. How ingenious! I have an Accuquilt GO and no clam shell die. Thanks for the giveaway. Nice pillow and tutorial.
I'm not real keen on curves, so I'd keep it small and make a pillow or small wallhanging, maybe even smaller and just a couple potholders. I can also see a strip of them on the side of a tote or placemats.
I would love to win this die. This is a pattern I have been wanting to try. Thank you for the chance to win. Take care and God bless, Cory
Oh a tote or pillow would've cool!
I am a follower via email. Love all of your fabrics. I own an Accuquilt Go and would love this die. Thanks for the chance to win.
Janet
I love my Baby Go and this pillow top is a great inspiration to try the clamshell! Thank you for the giveaway. I do enjoy your blog.
I would make a clam shell table runner first then a quilt. I love my Accuquilt Go cutter but would love to have the baby one. Thanks for such great giveaways! midwayfarms@hughes.net
You are absolutely one of the most creative quilters I know! How beautiful is this pillow???? I LOVE IT! It must have something to do with the river???? I love accuquilt dies because they make cutting so much easier, especially for irregular shapes such as these!
I would love to make a clam shell baby quilt.
I would make something quilted to wear!
Love your Pillow!!! Would love to have this Die!!! I would make a Pillow….well probably two or three! lol But I would make a Throw too, to go with my new Pillows! 🙂
I really like the idea of the pillow and then hopefully make a lap quilt to go with the pillow. thanks for the giveaway.
I have never did clam shells before but I would love to have a quilt made out of them.
I've never tried clam shells before. I really like your pillow. Perhaps I would give that a try first. Nothing to big to start with. Thanks for the lovely giveaway.
A pillow or a tote bag would be great. Love how you quilted it.
I would make a pillow like yours to start. I'm new so I would look around for lots of uses. Thanks
tdkcarpenoctem@hotmail.com
I love your pillow, the clamshell give it an interesting effect and it's so pretty! Thanks for the giveaway!
tdkcarpenoctem@hotmail.com
I just adore your pillow. My daughter and I share a Baby and a Go. I would love to win either die.
I would have to make a pillow just that the one you made. I love it! Thanks!
gailxs@hotmail.com
Like the looks of the pillow although I'm not a pillow fan. With the 4" die I would make a mini quilt center. Thanks for the giveaway. katztoo@excede.net
I'd make some pillows with this cute die. Love your pillow!! Thanks for the sweet giveaway Connie!
Love your pillow! I would do the same~ and maybe a little end table topper to match. Thanks for the fun!
I love the idea of a pillow – small enough to try out a new technique but not a huge commitment!!
I would like to make a pillow or the center block for a baby quilt. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com
I love pillows, too! I'd either start with one of those or a table runner for the credenza behind our sofa.
I think I would like to try making the pillow! It really is super cute! I love using the different dies!
NyRoraback@gmail.com
I would use the 4" clamshell die to make a scrappy quilt.
Thanks for the giveaway,
Jacqueline in Pitt Meadows
I love how both of you used a non-traditional method for the dyes. Hoping to get more dyes.
Beautiful pillow Connie. I am not sure what exactly I would make, but possibly a table runner.
A cushion for starters!!
Anything to make life simpler in the quilting area, would be a blessing!
I've been wanting to try a make a clam shell quilt. I have a AccuQuilt GO but I like the smaller size clam shell.
I think a tree skirt would be fun using the clam shells.
Love the pillow. Thanks for the cute tut 🙂
I'd love to make the clamshell into a tote bag! 🙂
I have a Baby Go so I think I would go right for the pillow!
What a cute pillow! I love the idea of appliqueing the clamshells instead of the sewing those crazy curves.
Your pillow is lovely! I would love to try the clamshell pattern. Thanks for the chance to win a die!
I would never attempt to make this pattern without a die to cut the shapes. I think this would make a great accent for a tote bag. Thanks.
I love the pillow! I would have to give it a try.
Hi Connie,
Such a smart looking pillow! Thank you for hosting such a fabulous giveaway!!!
Esther
esthersipatchandquilt at yahoo dot com
I would create just such a pillow!!!
I would make a pillow for my daughter, she just bought a new couch. Love my Go! cutter.
Hi!!!! I love your clamshell!!!! Very pretty!!!! I don't have a go!!!! But sounds like fun!!!!
Well, I would start out by making the same thing you did, because you rock!
Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Thanks for the chance to win! Love the clam shell pillow. would love it as well as the die for my GO! You just keep making so many wonderful things and inspiring me. Thanks, Lyn
I love this pillow idea or even placemats thanks for this chance.
A pillow. Then, maybe a baby quilt.
I love the pillow! I would love to make a clam shell quilt. Moda has a beautiful version as a free to use pattern on their site that I have been drooling over and I want to make something similar to that–I think the die would make it much easier! Thanks for the chance to win a fun die!
The clamshell looks great. I would do something in the Dresden plate idea.
The pillow is a great idea for the clamshells. Can you imagine a full lap quilt made from them? I love ideas for charm packs, and this is excellent!
I visited Accuquilt. Thank you
Oh how lovely Connie….I don't have this die.
I think the wedge would be a great addition to my dye collection. Thanks for a chance.
Connie, your pillow is adorable! Great idea to use raw edge!
Connie!!!! I have been wanting to use my clamshell die cut so much and you have inspired me to make a PILLOW! I now have a NEW project to do…LOL! Thank you so much for sharing and linking up!
I love your pillow and would love to try one.
Love the clam shell. the fabrics are lovely.
I'd love to make a pillow out of the clam shells.
Looks great!
I'd start out with something small, like a placemat, to learn how to sew the curved seams. Thanks.
I would make a wall hanging using batiks the color of the ocean.
Wonderful tutorial. Such a cute pillow.
SewCalGal
http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
Looks great Connie, got a few newbies already on my side 😉
I'm wondering how easy it will be to piece the clamshells…..