Exploring Shapes
DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER
Diamonds can be pieced to create all
sorts of wonderful shapes, from stars to
chevrons. They are best cut from a long
strip of fabric using a quilter’s ruler. Here
we’re cutting 45° diamonds, but 60°
diamonds can be cut in a similar way.(^5) Cut a fabric strip to measure ½in
(1.3cm) wider than the finished size the
diamonds will be. The size of a diamond
is the distance between two of the sides
(not point to point). Position the ruler so
the 45° line is running across the bottom
of the strip, with the ruler still on the
fabric at the top of the strip, and cut.
(^6) Slide the ruler to the right, keeping the
45° line along the bottom of the fabric
strip so that the width of the second cut
will be the same as the height of the strip
(see blue arrows). For example, if your
strip height is 3in (7.6cm), then the width
of the diamond should be the same. Make
a second cut to create your first diamond.
Repeat along the strip.
Piecing diamonds
When piecing diamonds together, off-set
the seams (as with the equilateral
triangles) to ensure straight edges.
(^7) Place two diamonds right sides
together but don’t match them at the top
and bottom points. Instead, position the
points so they’re jutting out by ¼in
(6mm). Pin and sew together with a ¼in
(6mm) seam. Press the seam open or to
one side, then sew the next diamond in
place in the same way. Continue sewing
Beginner’s Guide to Quilting 79
Edge of ruler
nearer the top
edge of the fabric
45 ̊ line of ruler
runs along
bottom of strip
The width of the
second piece
should be the
same as the
height of the strip
(see blue arrows)
Rows
are offset
Rows
are offset
Slide the ruler to the right, keeping
the 45 ̊ line along the bottom
HOW TO CUT AND PIECE DIAMONDS
the diamonds together in this way
until you have completed a row.
(^8) Place two rows of diamonds,
right sides together and you’ll see
the seams on one row are pointing
in the opposite direction to the
other row. Line up the top long
edges of the rows next to each
other, but off-set them horizontally
so ¼in sticks out at the ends. Pin
the units together and sew the
seam, then press to finish.
SEWING CURVED SHAPES
Once you’ve built up your
confidence working with straight
line shapes, you can create lovely
eye-catching quilts using curved
shapes like circles and scallops.
The secret is to take your time,
use lots of pins and press your
work as you go to keep
everything nice and flat as you
work. You might find it easier to
mark your stitching line on to
the fabric before you stitch to
help keep an even seam.
For greater control of stitched
lines, try hand stitching curved shapes.
If you’re using a sewing machine, go
slowly, use a shorter stitch length than
you would with straight lines and keep
the seam allowance consistent as you go.
To make sure your seams lie flat, make
small snips about ¹/ 8 in (3mm) apart into
the seam allowance once you’ve stitched
it. Read more about sewing curves in the
Pro Guide to Quilting, on sale now at
bit.ly/1gydDer.
MOR E SH A P E S T O T RY!
(^) H a l f S q u a r e T r i a n g le s , p a ge 8 3
(^) Quarter Square Triangles, page 89
(^) Working with hexagons, page 94
(^) Shape templates, page 100
45
45
Right
side
Wrong
side
Right
side
Wrong
side
TRIANGLE QUILT
BY JENI BAKER
(^56)
7
8
© Love Patchwork & Quilting,
issue 1, bit.ly//1gmNQGn.