Block 12: shell smocking – Textured 4-patch quilt

Close up

Block type: 4-patch

Block size: 10 1/2 inches

Colour scheme: reds, greens and neutrals

Texture/fabric manipulation: Canadian smocking

Cut:

• one 6 1/4 in red square
• one 6 1/4 in pale green square
• one 4 1/2 in red square
• one 4 1/2 in pale green square
• one 9 in cream square

Making the shell smocking

Learn how to make shell smocking in less than 3 minutes:

Shell stitching diagram

As you can see in the diagram, shell smocking is stitched in rows.

The black line implies that both points, A and B, C and D, E and F, etc are pulled and stitched together.

The dotted line implies that you drag your thread from the last pulled stitch to the next stitching point, without pulling. Then you need to double stitch on the next stitching point to act as an anchor for the next pulled stitches. All rows are stitched in the same way as illustrated in row 1.

If this is not clear, keep reading below.

Get the 9 in fabric square and draw a grid with lines at 1/2 in intervals. Then draw the diagonal lines as per photo below.

Double stitch on the first dot, then pick up the next dot.

Pull together and stitch. This is A and B pulled together.

Now move the thread to B and stitch without pulling.

Double stitch to anchor the thread on C.

Repeat the previous steps with C and D, and so on.

At the end of Row 1 you will have something like this.

Continue with Row 2 in the same way as row 1, and so on.

Now stretch your smocking on a padded table as per picture below.

Use the steam from your iron to set the smocking. Place you iron close to the smocking with the steam setting on and hoover over the piece. Let the piece get dry and cold.

Then trim the piece to 5 1/2 inches.

Now get the red and greem 6 1/4 in squares and place them with right side facing together. Trade a diagonal and pin.

Stitch on each side of the diagonal using a 1/4 in seam allowance.

Cut through the diagonal line. You will obtain two squares.

Then press open.

Now cut the squares through the diagonal again. You will obtain the four pieces below.

Place as per picture and stitch together to obtain 2 squares again.

Now cut two 4 1/2 in squares, one red one green.

Cut each on the diagonal.

Arrange each as per picture below and stitch.

Place all squares as per picture below and piece together.

The block is finished. And it’s beautiful!

Textured 4-patch quilt tutorial

This quilt has 16 x 10 1/2 in blocks.

Each block is a 4-patch block in greens and reds. The fabric manipulation is made in a cream fabric.

See all Textured 4-patch quilt tutorials.

See also my first Textured quilt sampler tutorial.

Share your pictures

Are you making this quilt? Share your pictures on Flickr’s TeresaDownUnder group.