Quilting Gems: Dazzling Diamond Designs

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April is here, and it’s time to celebrate with diamonds! Why diamonds, you ask? Well, apart from being April’s birthstone and symbolizing all things classy and timeless, diamonds make for some seriously fun quilt patterns. This classic geometric shape—with its sharp points and angles—can be incorporated into quilts in several fabulous ways.

Lone Star

Take the traditional Lone Star quilt. This design typically features diamond-shaped patches radiating outward from the quilt center, creating a mesmerizing effect akin to a bursting star. While maintaining their traditional charm, modern interpretations of Lone Star quilts, like Jinny Beyer’s Lone Star Salute, can incorporate vibrant colors, contemporary fabrics, and innovative techniques.

Fresh Grapes

Or how about Scott Flanagan’s Fresh Grapes, a take on the traditional Carpenter’s Wheel design with its mesmerizing star design at the center and colorful diamonds surrounding it? Assembling Fresh Grapes requires some serious patience and precision, but the result is well worth it!

Sweet Starbursts

You can also make smaller six-pointed star blocks from diamonds, like Paula Stoddard did for Sweet Starbursts in Quiltmaker’s March/April and May/June 2024 double issue. Keep it traditional looking with reproduction prints or make it modern using contemporary prints and solids.

Emerald City

My favorite diamond design (because it also happens to adorn my bed) is Emerald City. I love how the green diamonds pop against all the neutral grays and blacks. While the quilt is king-sized, and these diamonds are foundation-pieced, this quilt was pretty easy to assemble.

Diamonds on Display

Maybe you would prefer a diamond quilt with a more modern flair? You’ll love Heather Black’s Diamonds on Display, a throw with diamonds sprinkled over the surface.

Strippy Diamonds

Or how about a diamond design that is super-quick and easy, like Strippy Diamonds?

And just wait ‘til you see what Love of Quilting has in their upcoming July/August and September/October 2024 double issue!

From classic diamond quilt designs to modern interpretations, you can see how the flexibility of this shape allows for experimentation with color, texture, and layout. Plus, diamonds give you plenty of excuses to brush up on your quilting skills. Precision piecing, intricate quilting—you name it, diamonds demand it. But it’s all part of the fun. And the result? Pure quilt magic!

So, whether you’re quilting up a storm for an April birthday bash or you want to add some bling to your quilt collection, let’s sparkle, shine, and quilt our hearts out—one diamond at a time!