Quilted Diamonds: Love & Friendship Quilt

This star decision is best hand pieced.

All About

Product Ideas

Materials and Tools:
book: Quilted Diamonds by Linda Franz
star pattern
fabrics
freezer paper
ruler
mechanical pencil
quilting notions

Note: For precision hand piecing it is imperative to be able to see the pencil line drawing on the reverse side of selected fabrics since you will be inspecting the drawn lines frequently for accuracy.

Love and Friendship Quilt

Steps:

1. Create a star pattern.

2. Trace the pattern onto freezer paper. Designate numbers to determine fabric placement and draw the grain line on both the original (master) pattern and the freezer paper pattern. Tip: Numbering the patterns serves as a guide when stitching pieces together.

<3. Cut pattern pieces and sort into chosen fabric groups.

4. Position pattern pieces on top of fabric strips spacing 1/2 inch apart. Tip: Strip width size is determined by the size of pattern pieces.

5. Cut fabric pieces with a rotary cutter and ruler. Include a 1/4-inch seam allowance when cutting the pieces.

6. Draw a stitching line with a fine pencil and ruler extending beyond the corners of each piece creating a cross hair line. Precision is key for hand piecing small pieces and cross hairs play a vital role in hand piecing (see hand piecing tips below).

7. Layout star design and hand piece together.

Hand-piecing tips

Stitch cross hair to cross hair. Tip: Do not stitch from edge to edge or in the 1/4-inch seam zone.

Sew one stitch at the beginning and backstitch to secure the seam, then load three to five more stitches on the needle.

Each time the needle is pulled through, inspect the underside to ensure you are still on the drawn line. Pull the thread firmly and smooth the seam. Tension on the thread is important but not so tight to cause the fabric to pucker.

Adjust the size of the last stitch to make sure the last stitch ends precisely at the cross hair. Backstitch to secure the seam.

Curved seam tips

Draft a pattern and trace pattern onto freezer paper (see steps 1 and 2). Prior to cutting the pattern apart draw matching points.

Clip the inside concave seam.

Only stitch one or two stitches at a time, versus three or more stitches.

Pin one matching point at time and stitch. Repeat this process until the stitching is completed.

Resources

Guests
- Linda Franz
  Quilt maker
  2040 Watson Dr.
  Burlington Ontario, L74 3X4
  Canada
  Phone: 905-332-0439
  E-mail: Linda@lindafranz.com
  Website: www.lindafranz.com