Fandango Clams

Kate Spain has created a magical blend of vibrant colours that I have put together to make a small quilt. When I designed this piece,  I imagined dancing by the sea on a warm Spanish night.

All fabrics are from the Fandango collection by Kate Spain

• One Fandango charm pack from MODA by Kate Spain
• 1 1/2 yards ( 27050 11)  Pie Casing 2 and borders
• 1/2 yard (27046 22)  Pie Casing 1
• 1 1/2 yards ( 27050 21) for backing - 44" wide
• 1/4 yard (27051 21) for peeper border
• 1/2 yard (27052 23) for binding 
• Wadding (batting) at least 4" wider and longer than finished quilt top.
• Neutral thread for piecing
• 28mm rotary cutter
• 4" drunkard path template set
• Optional - Curve Master foot, wooden roller, tweezers

Fabric Selection

Step 1 -  Rotary cut from charm pack 84 'pies'. For the spare, cut 5" squares from binding fabric

Pie and Pie Casing

Two (2) pies can be cut from one charm square

Step 2 - Rotary Cut from Pie Casing 2 fabric,  59 'Pie cases' and from Pie Casing 1 fabric,  26 'Pie Cases'

Step 3 - Select 26 pieces from the 'Pie' pile to accompany the 'Pie Cases 1'. Make 26 blocks. Press the seam inward with wooden roller and then press on right side with dry iron.

My choice of handy tools for curved piecing

Blocks should measure 4 1/2": finished. I use a roller and dry iron to press the seam. Try not to distort the block.

Step 4 - Match up the remaining 'Pies' to the 'Pie Cases 2' and sew them together.


Step 5 - Lay the blocks out as per the diagram and then sew the rows diagonally.

For the purposes of this tutorial, I have used a limited number of fabrics to highlight the direction of the blocks.

Press the adjoining block seams open and the rows to one side.

Step 6 - Trim the staggered quilt edges back leaving approximately 1/4" from the tip of the clam points at the top and bottom of the quilt and the sides as shown below.

Keep the quilt square when cutting back the outer blocks.

Step 7 -  Add the peeper border

• Cut 4 x 1" strips WOF. Press in half longways.
• Measure the quilt across and cut two (2) peepers to that length.
• Sew them to the quilt and then measure again and attach the last two peeper borders.

I used a longer stitch and sewed 1/8 inch from the edge.

Step 8 - Cut 4 x 4 1/2" strips from 'Pie Casing 2' fabric for borders. Measure across the middle sections of the quilt and add borders.

Step 9 - Layer backing, wadding and quilt top. Baste and quilt as desired.

Step 10 - Cut 5 x 2 1/4" strips from WOF for binding. Add binding.

Step 11 - Label, photograph and give this quilt to someone you love.

One fabulous Fandango quilt 42" x 42". Finished block size 4" x 4"

Now sit back and enjoy a glass of Sangria on the lawn while you watch the day float by.

Jane Davidson
{Want it, Need it, Quilt it!}