Charm Square Quilt Along Part 3

Hello everyone!  It's time for the second block in our Charm Square Sampler Quilt Along.  Today we will work through the Diamond 4-Patch Block.

<div align="center">
<a href="http://moderntraditionquilts.blogspot.com" title="Charm Square Sampler Quilt Along"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQUYYoNu4QavbsYY-1Mdr801citK1JNlmeCnxkkGGovkvuiR1hO9zX2kNRdANUmspR21fQmn9i1x6v371eY65d9hHozBhD3WK7twCbsiirUnZPLVw6-6vxxCfBE44FgAr4EwwgC111DlP/w214-h212-p-no/" alt="Charm Square Sampler Quilt Along" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

To get fabric requirements and ideas, click HERE.

Just so you know where we're headed, I've organized this QAL according to which block I think is easiest and progresses to the most difficult (the spinning centers).For today's entry, we are working on #2, the Diamond 4-Patch block.

This tutorial assumes that your half-square triangles (HSTs) are already sewn.  To sew them as you go, view the tutorial HERE.

• First, select 16 half-square triangles and lay them out according to the block diagram.  We are looking at #2 in the picture above.  There are two ways to construct this block.  The traditional method creates 4 diamond-square blocks (shown in the second photo below), then joins them to form the bigger block.  I think it is easier to use the column method introduced to you in the previous Sawtooth Block tutorial.  The reason is that when you turn a full right-side column onto a full left-side column, the sewing pairs taking to the machine are in correct alignment.  You don't accidentally rotate an HST and end up unpicking.  It also ensures proper pressing to create sharp points.  For this tutorial, I used my column method, however, both methods work equally well.

Lay out all 16 squares.

This is the traditional method of sewing this block.  Creating 4 diamond-square units and then joining them together along the light-blue drawn in seam-lines.  This works fine if you want to do it this way; however, I am using the column method shown in the previous Sawtooth block tutorial.

Using the column method, the seam-lines are the light blue lines.

•  Second, use the column method to construct the block.  Starting in the upper left-hand side of the square, flip the HSTs in column 2 on top of the HSTs in column 1.  Now your right-hand side of the HST pairs is in the correct orientation to take to your sewing machine.  Important!  Please do not clip your threads.  These align later steps when you sew it in rows. Repeat with the remaining columns.

In this picture, the seams between columns 1 and 2 are sewn on the left hand side and the seams between columns 3 and 4 are sewn.  All that remains is to sew the column seam between columns 2 and 3.  Do not clip threads in the columns, this maintains block alignment.

All of the columns are now sewn.

• Third, press seams of the rows in opposite directions.  This will allow seams of the rows to nest and create sharp points.

You can see how the columns of this block are pressed opposite of one another so the next rows can nest.  Yes, the threads are still not clipped.

•  This is our first block where we can choose to match seams to create sharp points.  We know where our columns need to align because we have not clipped our threads.  The trick is knowing where we need to pin and sew with the machine needle exactly to create a sharp and non-blunted point.  I call this trick "X marks the spot!"

Close-up of how our points are going to match.

"X marks the spot!"  If you look at the seams highlighted by #1 yellow and #2 blue, you see that the seams form an "X".  Pin through the crossing lines of this X, matching the X on both sides of the seam.  Then sew through this "X".  You will get a perfect point.

Pin matching the seam through the top of the "X".

The pin coming out through the bottom of the seam, also in the "X".

•  Pin-match all HST intersections in this method and you will get a perfect point.

Close-up of a pin-matched seam.  As you can see the "X marks the spot" trick works!

• Fourth, sew all rows using the "X marks the spot" trick and press flat.  You now have a  completed Diamond 4-Patch block.  Enjoy!

Share your work!  I have thoroughly enjoyed those of you taking the time to sew these block and linking up.  There are so many color combinations being used, it is inspiring.  For your convenience I have a flickr pool and a link party at the bottom of this tutorial.

flickrPool

An InLinkz Link-up