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Could this be the most soothing quilt to sew ever? Janet Clare’s new Spoondrift series was launched in Autumn 2019 in issue 55 of Today’s Quilter. We’re sharing her beautiful, seashore-inspired quilt blocks in this gallery post, and you can also find all the fabric requirements and issues you need to collect to make this project.
“I grew up on the coast, not far from the white cliffs of Dover, and I’m very familiar with ‘spoondrift’,” explains Janet, “although I didn’t know there was an actual name for it until very recently. I have always loved being by the sea; not on hot, busy days, but on the blustery, windswept and bracing ones when we have the place to ourselves and come home feeling exhilarated with rosy cheeks and cold toes.”
The blocks in this gallery below are all designed by Janet Clare and made by Pippa Cockhead.
Every few seasons, I design a fabric collection full of boats, whales and gulls in my favourite indigo, blue and cream colour palette, and so here is ‘Ebb and Flow’, all ready to be made into ‘Spoondrift’, a quilt inspired by our cherished, carefree days by the sea
Janet Clare
Spoondrift is made with a variety of techniques, including hand and machine piecing, fusible appliqué and embroidery. Some blocks will be easy and some not so much! The designs for these quilt blocks are featured across several issues of Today’s Quilter magazine. We’ve included links to buy the issues for your favourite blocks, or to complete your set, below. You can also get the issues digitally for your phone, tablet or computer.
There will be two blocks a month for twelve months, with the setting shown in month thirteen. One setting for the finished quilt will be approximately 65” x 72”. Janet’s quilt features indigo, blue, grey, cream and sand coloured fabrics from her collection Ebb and Flow for Moda, but you can easily choose your own using the colour swatches below.
The fabric requirements that follow are for the main quilt setting. Be as thrifty as possible when cutting your fabrics and keep all your scraps, as they may well be useful in later blocks!
Ebb and Flow fabric from Moda is available to buy in Janet’s Etsy shop.
Find this design in issue 55 of Today’s Quilter.
Sail away and follow Janet’s fabric choices or pave your own palette with a mix match of fabrics from the collection. Find this Diamonds block in issue 55 of Today’s Quilter.
Appliqué a trio of seagulls with the third block in Janet’s Spoondrift series. Find the instructions for how to make it in issue 56 of Today’s Quilter magazine.
I do have a soft spot for gulls, even though they can be irritating when you’re sitting on the beach trying to eat your fish and chips in peace!
Use up the rest of those leftover scraps for some halfsquare triangles to create this simple yet stellar star block. Find out how to piece it in issue 56 of Today’s Quilter.
“I’m fond of the quote ‘Hope anchors the soul’ as it reminds me to focus on the positives; hope holds us steady and keeps us feeling settled, which is just what we need.” You can find the pattern in issue 57 of Today’s Quilter.
If you’re using directional prints for this block, featured in issue 57 of Today’s Quilter, refer to the image to determine whether to cut rectangles horizontally or vertically.
“Ah, beach huts… somewhere to eat cake with a lovely cup of tea and an uninterrupted view of the sea. Long summer days at the seaside are even more splendid!” Find the instructions for how to make this quilt block in issue 58 of Today’s Quilter magazine.
This block sings in Ebb and Flow fabric and captures the feeling of swelling and receding tides. Find out how to make it in issue 58 of Today’s Quilter.
Sew this whimsical quilt block that evokes memories of beach-combing and rock-pooling. Find the instructions for how to sew this soothing seaweed quilt block in issue 59 of Today’s Quilter.
Leave a message for someone special and embroider your own secret message in morse code with issue 59’s quilt block.
British Isles, issue 60
Just two prints are needed for this applique map of the British Isles. Why not make it a treasure map with a touch of embroidery – X marks the spot! Issue 60 of Today’s Quilter features this block.
Every sailor needs a compass, and every quilter needs to make a Mariner’s Compass block. Use foundation piecing to create those sharp points. Issue 60 of Today’s Quilter features this block.
I’ve never actually seen a whale in real life but they fascinate me and seeing one would be a dream come true. Maybe one day? However, we do have a nice family tradition of visiting the whale in the Natural History museum every single time we are there. Block in issue 61 of Today’s Quilter.
Use the quick and easy ‘stitch and flip’ method to create this unique block from issue 61 of Today’s Quilter.
I can only imagine the reassurance a lighthouse gives to those at sea. Use fusible applique to stitch your own lighthouse. Featured in issue 62 of Today’s Quilter.
Combine four-patches, half-square triangle and rectangles for this interesting block. Featured in issue 62 of Today’s Quilter.
Land ahoy! Combine appliqué shapes with nautical fabrics to piece this fishing boats quilt bloc, featured in issue 65 of Today’s Quilter.
The blocks in our final instalment are inspired by nautical alphabet flags.
After completing a degree in fashion and textiles, Janet worked as a freelance designer for many years. Janet also creates lively designs for quilts and stitcheries that combine her unique joint appliqué templates and free-motion drawing technique. As an experienced speaker and teacher, Janet regularly host talks and workshops focusing on the design process and creative techniques. She’s also written five books, including Freya and Fred, Hearty Good Wishes, A Field Guide, Home Quilt Home and The Wordsmith. You can get in touch with Janet by emailing her at: janet@janetclare.co.uk and see more of her work atwww.janetclare.co.uk or on instagram @Janeteclare
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