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| Diamond Charms Quilt by Lahonda Littleton |
Susan Stuklis's "Diamond Charms Quilt," featured on her blog Susie's Scraps, exemplifies this creative process. This pattern ingeniously utilizes leftover fabric strips, turning them into vibrant diamond-shaped blocks that come together to form a stunning quilt.
The construction of the Diamond Charms Quilt begins with 5-inch foundation squares, onto which fabric strings are pieced. By marking 2-inch points from the corners of each square, a central diamond shape is defined, and the surrounding areas are filled with colorful fabric strips. This method not only stabilizes the block but also allows for a dynamic interplay of colors and patterns, especially when mixing solids and prints. Once four of these units are assembled, they create a larger block that showcases a central white diamond, adding a striking focal point to the quilt.
What makes this pattern particularly appealing is its adaptability. Whether you're aiming for a baby quilt or a full-sized bedspread, you can adjust the number of blocks to suit your desired size. Additionally, the use of fabric scraps means each quilt is unique, reflecting the quilter's personal fabric history and aesthetic preferences.
Materials and Preparation:
To begin, gather an assortment of fabric strings—narrow strips of fabric typically leftover from previous projects. These will be pieced onto 5" foundation squares; white homespun fabric is recommended for the foundation, but any light-colored fabric will suffice. The number of foundation squares needed depends on the desired size of the final quilt.
Constructing the Diamond Charms Block:
Each block is created by piecing fabric strings onto the foundation squares in a specific manner:
- Marking the Foundation: On a 5" foundation square, measure 2" from one corner along two adjacent sides and mark these points. Draw lines connecting these marks to the opposite corner, creating a central diamond shape that will remain unpieced.
- Adding Fabric Strings: Place a fabric string right side down, aligning its edge with one of the drawn lines and overlapping it by ¼". Sew the string in place using a ¼" seam allowance. Flip the string right side up and finger press. Continue adding strings in this manner, overlapping each previous string by ¼" and pressing after each addition, until the area outside the central diamond is filled.
- Completing the Block: Repeat the string piecing process on the opposite side of the central diamond. Once both sides are complete, press the block thoroughly and trim it to match the original 5" foundation square.
Combining four of these units with the unpieced corners meeting at the center forms the complete Diamond Charms block, showcasing a prominent diamond motif.
Design Flexibility:
The Diamond Charms Quilt Block offers ample opportunity for personalization. By varying the colors, patterns, and widths of the fabric strings, each block can achieve a unique appearance. Incorporating both solids and prints can add depth and dimension to the design. Additionally, adjusting the size of the foundation squares allows for customization of the block size to suit different projects.
Susan Stuklis provides a comprehensive tutorial for the Diamond Charms Quilt Block on her blog, Susie's Scraps. The tutorial includes detailed instructions and illustrative images to guide quilters through each step of the process: Diamond Charms Quilt Block Tutorial.
The Diamond Charms Quilt Block is an excellent project for quilters looking to make the most of their fabric scraps while creating a visually appealing design. Its combination of simplicity and versatility makes it suitable for quilters of all skill levels. Whether used to create a full-sized quilt or incorporated into smaller projects, this block is sure to add charm and character to your quilting endeavors.
