Modern Tradition Quilts: Charm Square Quilt Along Part 5 & Diamond in a Diamond Block.

Friday, February 6, 2015

Charm Square Quilt Along Part 5 & Diamond in a Diamond Block.

Hello everyone! It's time for the second block in our Charm Square Sampler Quilt Along.

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<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 #4, the Diamond in a Diamond

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

STEP ONE: Lay out 16 of your half-square triangle (HST) pieces.

STEP TWO: Sew the blocks using this column orientation (as shown in the previous tutorials). Sew rows 2 to 1, then 3 to 2, then 4 to 3.

STEP THREE: Do not clip threads. This will keep your squares in proper alignment. This block is the first block where we encounter different pressing in the seams. In the past, we have simply pressed rows in opposite directions, which can work here, but it would risk pressing the "X" closed. As you recall, this shows us where to sew when connecting rows to avoid blunt points. To avoid this, I press my seams to show the "X".

The top row is under this, the second row.

Here is the center of the block. Yes, the right and left side seams are going in the same direction. This is because on the row previous to it, it needed to be pressed this way to show the "X marks the spot" to avoid blunted seams.

STEP FOUR: X marks the spot! Pin the rows through the "X" created by your seams to the "X" of the block below it. This shows you where to sew so the points of your block do not get blunted. This trick will keep them sharp. Nest seams of adjacent rows.