Today, there's more about diamonds, and also a giveaway! I know everyone loves giveaways, but first, the diamonds.
Sewing diamonds was a lot easier than I thought it would be! Using a technique of stitching just at the seam intersections, then checking the join, helped to relieve a lot of tearing out frustration.
Here's a tutorial on how to do this.
leaving a scant 1/4" tall dog ear.
Stitch with a scant 1/4" seam.
Press gently to one side, keeping the edge in a straight line. Do not distort the strip!
Repeat for all the rows.
When all rows in one direction are sewn, place a pin in each row at the first intersections to be joined. Otherwise, it can get confusing as to which intersection gets sewn to which! And yes, I speak from experience!
Match up the intersections, fold the seam allowance back a scant 1/4" to check alignment.
Stitch about 8-12 stitches (1/2") through this intersection.
Open the rows, and check the alignment. Here my seams are not matched.
But no biggie, I just have to take out a few stitches and try again.
Perfect! At least for me!
Continue this process for all seams. When done, stitch the entire length of the rows. Try to stitch over the previous stitching, because too far left, and a bigger bite gets taken, causing a mismatched seam.
And when it's all done, press gently, and enjoy!
I'm really thrilled this went together so easily! Makes me want to make another. But as for this one, I'm thinking an ocean scene, which will require some applique.
I don't do a lot of applique, mainly because I haven't found a method I really like. But to help, I'm considering Craftsy.com's new class, Fun with Fusible Applique.
Or one of their other applique classes--so hard to choose!
Thanks for the the sharing the tutorial.
Great detail. I used some od that same Jinny Beyer fabric yesterday!
Well, I always thought that sewing diamonds must be complicated and your post just confirmed it! ;-) I don't think I would have the patience to do them with a machine and make verifications and unripping... I would sew everything by hand! For me, that would be faster. But the result is beautiful, mind you. And the fabric is gorgeous! I hope you'll share your ocean scene. Chapeau!
this is a great technique! I've never worked with diamonds, but this makes it seem less scary!
Thanks for linking to Needle and Thread Thursday!