When I began quilting, the thought of working with diamonds intimidated me. Yet, as I experimented with different patterns, I discovered that diamond-shaped quilting creates a beautiful, timeless look that’s worth every bit of effort.
The Sweet Divinity Diamond Quilt is perfect for embracing the challenge of diamond piecing while creating a quilt that’s cozy, charming, and perfect for a new baby or as a showpiece in any space. If you’re considering venturing into diamond piecing, this project will show you that, with a few extra pins and careful planning, you can create a stunning quilt that radiates warmth and elegance.
A Diamond-Lover’s Dream: Perfecting Precision with Sweet Divinity
The Sweet Divinity Diamond Quilt combines precision with creativity, utilizing bias-cut diamonds that beautifully showcase your favorite prints. Measuring 33×39 inches (or 80×96 cm), this small quilt is ideal for a baby or a small decorative throw.
But if you’re drawn to larger projects, the Sweet Divinity Diamond Quilt design scales effortlessly by adding more diamonds along the edges, making it versatile for any space. As you work through each carefully pinned diamond in the Sweet Divinity Diamond Quilt, you’ll feel both the challenge and joy of achieving the precise alignment that this quilt requires.
This step-by-step guide ensures that the Sweet Divinity Diamond Quilt process is clear and accessible, breaking down each stage so you’ll find that these diamonds are not as daunting as they seem. By the time you’re done, the Sweet Divinity Diamond Quilt will have become a new favorite, both for the beauty it adds to any room and the rewarding experience of creating it.
The Fabric Selection: Showcasing the Sweet Divinity Prints
One of the unique aspects of the Sweet Divinity Diamond Quilt is its use of vibrant prints. The bias-cut diamonds allow you to highlight the larger designs within your fabric selection, which can bring an added dimension to your quilt. In this project, I used Sweet Divinity prints, focusing on accentuating larger florals and patterns in each diamond.
If your fabric doesn’t have a directional print, you can opt for grain-cut diamonds, which can make piecing a bit easier. Either way, the layout and pinning are key to bringing out the charm in this quilt.
Full Pattern: Click Here
Materials You’ll Need
To bring your Sweet Divinity Diamond Quilt to life, gather the following materials:
- Large fabric scraps or fat quarters: I used twelve 12” squares of Sweet Divinity prints.
- White fabric for sashing: ¾ yard, cut into 1 ½” wide strips.
- Backing fabric: 1 yard, or 1 ¼ yard if using a directional print.
- Binding fabric: ½ yard.
- Diamond template (measurements provided below).
- Pins – extra pins are essential for this pattern.
- Basic quilting tools – rotary cutter, cutting mat, ruler, and an iron.
- Sewing machine – and a bit of time!
Getting Started: Preparing for a Smooth Diamond-Piecing Process
Before diving in, it’s worth taking some time to prepare. Make sure your fabrics are ironed and that you’ve organized your prints if you’re using multiple colors. This will make the layout process easier and more enjoyable. Precision is key in this project, so take care to cut your diamonds accurately, pin liberally, and sew slowly to ensure a beautiful final product.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Fabrics and Create the Diamond Template
Iron all your fabrics, making sure they’re smooth and free of wrinkles. For the diamond template, draw a cross on a sheet of paper, marking 4¾ inches across and 7¾ inches up. Connect these marks to form a diamond shape, adding your seam allowances to each side.
Step 2: Cut Your Diamonds and Layout
Place your template on the fabric, focusing on capturing beautiful sections of your print. I used 35 full diamonds and 12 half-diamonds (for the top and bottom) and 7 half-diamonds (for the sides). If you prefer, cut 44 full diamonds and then cut six horizontally and four vertically.
Step 3: Cut Your Sashing Strips
Cut the white sashing fabric into strips 1½ inches wide, which allows for a ¼-inch seam allowance on each side.
Step 4: Arrange and Photograph Your Diamond Layout
Lay out your diamonds in a pattern you love. Take a photo or label each diamond with paper to keep track of your design order.
Step 5: Begin Chain Piecing the Diamonds to Sashing
Attach one sashing strip to each diamond, ensuring the diamonds don’t shift. Feed each diamond into your machine with the sashing strip on top, leaving space at the end for a diagonal cut. Press each seam to one side.
Step 6: Trim Along the Sashing and Diamond Edges
Using a ruler, trim along the edges of the diamonds to create clean lines. You should have 35 diamonds, 5 horizontal half-diamonds, and 4 vertical half-diamonds, each with sashing on one side.
Step 7: Assemble the Rows
Arrange your diamonds into rows, alternating between rows with and without sashing strips. Begin joining them row by row, matching seams carefully. Use extra pins as needed to prevent shifting.
Step 8: Attach Sashing Between Rows
Take another sashing strip and attach it to one side of each row. If your sashing strip isn’t long enough, piece two strips together. Be generous with your pins to maintain alignment.
Step 9: Connect the Rows
Now it’s time to connect your rows, a challenging but rewarding step! Line up each row and use pins or marking to keep your sashing aligned with the diamond edges in the adjacent row. Sew carefully, pressing seams to one side after each connection.
Step 10: Back, Baste, and Quilt
Once your quilt top is complete, baste and quilt as desired. A free-motion quilt design can add an artistic touch, but straight-line quilting is also a classic choice for this piece.
Additional Tips for Success
- Take it slow with the bias cuts: Diamonds cut on the bias can stretch easily, so handle them gently and avoid pulling or stretching.
- Pin generously: With bias cuts, more pins are better. Pinning carefully helps keep your diamonds aligned.
- Press as you go: Pressing after each step ensures crisp, clean seams and prevents warping.
- Experiment with sashing widths: Slightly wider or narrower sashing can give your quilt a unique look and provide more space for intricate quilting designs.
Completing the Sweet Divinity Diamond Quilt brings a sense of pride and accomplishment that only comes from mastering a challenging, beautiful design. Each diamond you piece together reflects patience, attention to detail, and your personal creative vision.
Take a moment to admire your work and the special character that each fabric brings to the quilt. Whether you’re gifting it to a loved one or keeping it as a handmade treasure, this quilt will be a cherished reminder of the care and creativity you put into every stitch. Happy quilting!
