The making of a sea glass quilt (or two)
I’m really excited to share the making of a sea glass quilt with you. I’ve wanted to make this type of quilt for such a long time. Of course, it took me volunteering to do a demonstration of the technique and then creating a pattern to finally get it done. I’m glad I did, because it’s a very fun and creative technique!
This is not meant to be a detailed tutorial of the process. I took photos as I made my samples so I could document the steps for my pattern. It’s worth sharing here so you can get an idea of what goes into it. If you’re familiar with raw edge machine applique, this process will be very comfortable for you. If not, you can read my machine applique series here for more details of the fusible applique steps.
When I first saw a sea glass quilt on Instagram, I was smitten. That was four or five years ago and the maker was/is Allie McCathren @exhausedoctopus and she’s incredibly talented. I believe she deserves credit for coming up with this particular design and her own technique. Allie also offers a course on her seaglass quilt technique here. It’s worth checking out if you want an in-depth lesson on creating a sea glass quilt.
What is a sea glass quilt?
If you’ve ever been to the beach, you might have run across sea glass. It’s actually broken glass that has been weathered by the sand and waves of the ocean which gives it a frosted appearance. It has smooth edges and comes in a variety of colors.
A sea glass quilt uses applique shapes to represent sea glass and they’re combined into a beautiful collage on background fabric. You can have so much fun with this! Choose your favorite beach colors or go for the rainbow. Size and scale of the design are also completely up to you.
My first sea glass quilt
For my first sea glass quilt, I started with a small square of linen/cotton blend (natural color) for the background. I felt like it resembled a sandy beach. I then raided my green and blue fabric scraps for the sea glass. I love this color palette!
I fused Lite Steam a Seam 2 to the wrong side of each fabric scrap and cut out free-form shapes for the sea glass. I tried to keep similar colors grouped together. This color organization makes the placement of shapes go much smoother.
I was making this quilt for a friend who moved back to the east coast. I wanted it to have a heart shape, so I made a template to contain the sea glass shapes. I placed the shapes inside the drawn heart and made adjustments until I was happy with the colors and arrangement. Then I fused all of them to the background fabric.
I added some hand embroidery to the background to make it more personalized.
Next I layered it with batting and backing fabric. Once it was basted, I free motion quilted using a light tan thread. I went around the inside of each shape once or twice and then the outside of each shape. This is not going to prevent the edges of the applique shapes from fraying, but it will definitely keep them in place. Since it’s a wall hanging and won’t need to be washed, I’m okay with that. Using batik fabric (which I did not) is a great alternative if you’re concerned about frayed edges.
As I quilted, I just traveled to the next sea glass shape and continued until they were all stitched in place. The traveling stitches are barely noticeable. I also stitched on the heart shape and again 1/4″ away.
Now, I had all of this open background space that I thought needed quilting. So, I free motion quilted pebbles and swirls. Maybe a bit too much, I think. The final project measures about 12″ square.
Made in California and soon traveling to Rhode Island, this coast to coast sea glass quilt was the perfect going away gift for a dear friend.
My second sea glass quilt
This sea glass quilt is a bit bigger than the first. I started with a fat quarter of solid white fabric. The final size is 14″ x 17″. I would guess there are about 200 sea glass shapes in this one. I think variety is key, so the more fabrics you use the better. I tried not to use the same fabric more than three times.
I like to start placing shapes in one corner and work towards the opposite corner. Once I started getting closer to the center, I thought I should work from the opposite corner and meet in the middle. I space the sea glass about 1/4″ apart and I gradually change colors as I go. I don’t worry too much if the shapes nest together perfectly. There’s a lot of variety in contour and shape which gives it an organic look.
For the quilting on this one, I chose Aurifil 80 wt. cotton thread in white. Because this thread is so fine, it doesn’t leave a big “footprint”. I will definitely use this thread again.
I added a faced binding to this sea glass quilt. This is often used in art quilts where you don’t want the distraction of traditional binding. It keeps the edges clean and lets the quilt design take center stage. You really can’t see the binding at all on the front of the quilt.
I think my next tutorial is going to be on faced bindings. I’m still experimenting to see what technique I like best for this. Below are photos of the main steps so you can get an idea of what it entails.
Sneak peak at my latest
Do you want a peak at my latest sea glass quilt? This little heart shape is all denim blues. I know many of you don’t feel comfortable with free motion quilting. I wanted to see what wavy lines would look like using a walking foot. I think it’s a great alternative and fairly modern looking.
I hope you gleaned some helpful information for the making of a sea glass quilt. You can really play with the size and color of each quilt. I think it’s especially well-suited for wall hangings. I would love to make a long and narrow one. I’d also like to experiment with batiks and bigger print fabrics, too. Really, anything goes!
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I’m making a Jimmy Buffett memorial quilt from my concert Tshirts. This would be the perfect pattern for the cross pieces of the quilt. Thanks for the idea.
Ok, you have me in tears!! You are so talented but so thoughtful!! I am going to cherish this wall hanging for the rest of my life!! And, I am obsessed with collecting sea glass !
I will miss you so much!! ❤️❤️
You are a genius! These are beautiful!
Those sea glass quilts are beautiful. I am inspired to try one of my own! Ever since I saw the first bit of sea glass on a beach…I have been a collector, and now I see a way to keep them always!
Thanks for your inspiration!
Love these sea glass quilts….they are so much fun to make. I have a bag from last summer to play with one day…and seeing your versions reminds me to add to the list. I also like that you moved between the sea glass, rather than starting and stoping each time…I think I did not do that…very clever.
Love your sea glass quilts. Looking forward to your binding information. Thank you for your tips. I’m looking forward to making a sea glass quilt.
On the larger quilt that will be washed, how did you attach the sea glass so it won’t fray when washed?
Wonderful! Far from my skill level but so enjoyed your creativity and the beauty of these!
Thank you for sharing how you made this. I like the walking foot option. And the information on the thread weight.
I LOVE the look of these sea glass quilts. I going to have to try it. I have a niece that lives on the Columbia River in Washington, not that far from Long Beach. I gave her a large beach scene picture that I had. This will go great with that. Thank you so much for sharing.
These are just beautiful! I live on Lake Huron in Michigan and yes we have sea glass. I am going to do this.
Love this project, what a pretty way to add a touch of the seaside to your home.
Really beautiful quilts! I’ve always love sea glass and these are so evocative of the beauty of the whole beach, sea glass and sand. I like the free motion wavy lines – it looks like the glass is under water. Thank you so much for sharing you talent!
Julie,
Your sea glass quilts are so pretty. How lucky for Donna to receive such a pretty quilt. I hope you get to see your dear friend in the future. I think one could also do a pillow or two especially if you had a beach themed room.
Julie, Love your sea glass quilt! This is all new to me, but I gotta do it. Being a former CA gal, it’s right up my alley. I’m into creating my own patterns and designs these days. This will be a perfect. Actually, a perfect wallhanging for my WI daughter. Yes, she “left her heart in SoCal” but her family is in WI. In reality, only she and her husband are in WI these days. Her oldest son, who is a Marine, is stationed in Maryland. Her younger son goes to school at University of Nevada, Reno. After 12 years, she still wears flip flops, even in the WI snow. My creative wheels are turning. Many thanks.
I absolutely love this sea glass quilt, it’s just perfect. I collect sea glass every time I go home to Maine. I will definitely be trying out this technique. Thank You!!!
Beautiful sea glass quilting Julie and your quilting on them really adds so much! I really like the faced binding also!
LOVE THIS
Absolutely stunning work! Thank you for
sharing these beautiful
Sea Glass Quilts with us. Putting this on my “To Do List” for a good friend as well.
Lovely. I was wondering if this could also be a Rock quilt?
My husband likes rocks and the shapes would be right.
Looking forward to the new binding technique. I have heard of the art binding but have not seen any tutorials on it.
Enjoy your posts and such a talent with color you have!
Donna
Your sea glass quilts are just stunning, Julie. Thank you so much for sharing them and all your wonderful advice with us. I always look forward to reading anything that comes from you, always enjoy it and always learn something.
Kind regards
Maree
Wow how pretty these quilts are. I’d never seen/heard of sea glass quilts but now that I have, I gotta make one !
Thanks for sharing
Beautiful – Sea glass is a favorite thing to search for and collect. Machine applique and machine free motion quilting are out of my comfort zone, but this is something I really want to try. Thank you.
How beautiful these are!!! Thank you for sharing your talent!!!!!!
I love sea glass quilts. I love your tutorial. I may be brave enough to try on now, specially since you how one with wavy straight line quilting.
BTW, exhaustedoctupus had/has some of hers for sale this week
These are lovely, Julie. I had not heard of sea glass quilts but will now be trying the technique. Thank you for sharing.
I, too, have been interested in the sea glass quilts by exhaustedoctupus and am always scrutinizing her photos. Thanks for sharing your insights!!
Oh my goodness, I love these sooo much!!! How beautiful!!! I have to make some for myself and family. Thank you so much for sharing!