Seascapes Pattern

There are over 2000 different species of clams in the world, of various shapes, sizes and shell colors. Some, such as the quahog clam on the Northeast Coast, even form pearls. Clams use their foot to dig down into the sand where they live. They are filter feeders, taking in water to strain out the microscopic plankton on which they feed. Clams in turn are consumed by humans: steamed, fried, in chowders, and in some cases eaten raw. Clams are an important industry, and clam farms exist on both coasts. The shells are also of use. Chopped clam shells pave driveways in the east. Ground, they provide a calcium supplement for dairy cows. Quahogs shells are used to make wampum. These clam shell beads were once used by Native Americans for record keeping, treaty making, and adornment. Colonists used them as their first currency. They are still used both for ceremony and jewelry by Eastern Woodland tribes.

This clam shell pattern is presented in the same layout used in Seascapes. Each block includes a color picture, a foundation pattern, and information on the creature or scene depicted. The clam block can be used in any of the projects that include 5 inch blocks. As with the patterns in the book, you will need to add a 1/4 inch seam allowance to the block before sewing.