I love this block as it looks complicated but actually really simple to put together. It also leverages Half-Square Triangle techniques from previous blocks.

Materials and Cutting Instructions

Making your block

Corner Blocks

As you see the white square are surrounded by corners that are solid and corners that have two colors “split colored corners”. For the split colored corners you will need to make up 12 HST blocks measuring 2.5”.

1. First off, decide on your color palette and your placement of colors.
2. Take two 3.5” blocks of the colors that you know will be one of the split color corners. For this example, I will choose the top left corners which is light blue and dark blue.
   
3. Follow method 2 in this blog post to sew, cut and trim the 2.5” HST.
4. Take these two HST and one light blue and dark blue 2.5″ square. On the back draw a line on the back across the diagonal. This will be the stitch line.
   
5. Line up the HST blocks with the corner of the white square corners. Place both HST on the opposite diagonals. Sew along the marked line.
   
   Trim the corners by a 1/4 ” on the outer edge. Press seams open.
6. Repeat the process on the other diagonal with the 2.5″ squares.
   
7. The corner blocks will look like this:
   
8. Repeat the process for all 4 corner blocks and the center block (note that the center block uses 4 HST blocks, no 2.5″ blocks of one color).
   Note: in total you will make twelve (12) 2.5″ HST blocks (2 on each the 4 corners and 4 for the center block))
   

Finishing your block

1. To make the larger quarter triangles you will need line up the center block, and corner blocks first.
   
2. Now place the appropriate colored 4.5″ squares in the middle (denoted by the large white squares above.
   
3. Sew each block in each row together, press seams.
4. Sew together each row, lining up each if the blocks to make sure your larger quarter triangles also line up smoothly. Press seams.

You now have a finished block 12″ (unfinished 12.5″).

Additional Spoonflower Sampler Quilt Block tutorials:

• {Block 1: Broken Chevrons}
• {Block 2: Fallen Obelisks}
• {Block 3: Modern “T” Block}
• {Block 4: Formula One (on the track)}
• {Block 5: Formula One (finish line)}
• {Block 6: Cheshire Checker Board}
• {Block 7: Diamonds in the Rough}

Please Note: If you every make the sampler or any of the blocks use #spoonflowersamplerquilt and/or link back to the tutorial. Michelle Wilkie @ Factotum of Arts”.

This is the seventh block in the series – Diamonds in the Rough (finished 12″ block).

Materials and Cutting Instructions

Making your block

There is two parts of making the complete block, the stripes and the diamond pieces.

The Diamonds

You will finish with 6 Citrus diamonds and 3 Dark Blue Diamonds.

1. The first step of making the diamond piece is to appropriately mark your pieces to ensure accurate piecing. For the diamond fabric piece (3.5” x 5”), you will need to mark out the ¼ seam marks.
   
2. Mark the ¼” on the end of the 1.5” x 3” neutral pieces. These are the pieces that will make the corners of the diamond shape.
   
3. Lay the neutral strips ¼ in over the line, matching the edge markings with the drawn diagonal line you drew. Stitch along the line, making a ¼” seam.
   
4. Press the seams.
   
5. Use the edges of the diamond fabric to trim the block.
   
6. Repeat the process with the other two corners.
   
7. Trim your corners.
   
8. The final size of the diamond block is 2.5” x 4.5”. When trimming ensure you leave at least ¼ from point to the edge of fabric. This will be your seam allowance.

The Stripes

1.   Join the following 1.5″ x 4.5″ pieces together: Grey, Light Blue, Orange, Grey (in this order – 4 part stripes). Press seams. Repeat 3 times.
2. Take one (1) grey and one (1) light blue 1.5″ x 4.5″ piece, stitch together and press seams (2 part stripes).
3.  You should now have five (5) single grey 1.5″ x 4.5″ pieces left.

Finishing your block

1. First row, sew together the following pieces/parts: 1 dark blue diamond > 4 part stripes > 1 citrus diamond > 1 single grey stripe > 1 citrus diamond > 1 2 part stripes.
2. Second row, sew together the following pieces/parts: 1 single grey stripe > 1 citrus diamond > 1 single grey stripe > 1 citrus diamond > 4 part stripes > 1 dark blue diamond
3. Third row, sew together the following pieces/parts: 1 dark blue diamond > 4 part stripes > 1 citrus diamond > 1 single grey stripe > 1 citrus diamond > 1 single grey stripe
4. Sew rows two & three together. Press seams.
5. Line up right side edge of row one & two together.  Sew together. Press seams. Finish by trimming the dark blue diamond down.

You now have a finished block 12″ (unfinished 12.5″).

Additional Spoonflower Sampler Quilt Block tutorials:

• {Block 1: Broken Chevrons}
• {Block 2: Fallen Obelisks}
• {Block 3: Modern “T” Block}
• {Block 4: Formula One (on the track)}
• {Block 5: Formula One (finish line)}
• {Block 6: Cheshire Checker Board}

Please Note: If you every make the sampler or any of the blocks use #spoonflowersamplerquilt and/or link back to the tutorial. Michelle Wilkie @ Factotum of Arts”.

The striped part of this block reminds me of the Cheshire Cat, combined with the checker board look – I like the zany side of this block.

Materials and Cutting Instructions

Making your block

You will need to make 5 striped blocks and use the Neutral 4.5″ squares to make the checker board look.

For the Striped Blocks (repeat x 5):

1. For each square, you will need two (2) of the HST (Half Square Triangle) paper piecing templates. The dotted line is for the 1/4″ seam allowance. Use your preferred paper piecing technique.
2. Take the 3″ squares and place over the #1 of the template, making sure you allow a 1/4 seam all around.
3. Take the alternative color 1.5″ strip and place RST (Right Sides Together) making sure you include a 1/4 seam allowance. Stitch in place, trim the 1/4″ seam allowance and the strip length allowing enough to cover #2 of the template. Press the strip back into place.
4. #3-6 add alternating 1.5″ strips. Trim the block.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 for the second HST template.
6. Match the HST lines together, pin baste in place (or glue). Sew the HST together using a 1/4″ seam. Press using your chosen technique (to reduce bulk I recommend pressing open).

Note: the center block, I changed up the order of the fabrics, using the orange 3″ squares instead of the green 3″ squares.

Finishing your block

1. Start by laying out your block. Row 1 & 3 = Striped block, Neutral Square, Striped Block; Row 2 = Neutral Square, Striped Block, Neutral Square.
2. Sew together the each row. Press seams.
3. Line up each of the squares in row 1 & 2, and pin baste (or glue). Sew together. Press seams.
4. Add row 3 to the bottom of row 2, lining up each of the squares, pinning in place. Sew together. Press seams. Produces an unfinished 12 1/2″ square.

Additional Spoonflower Sampler Quilt Block tutorials:

• {Block 1: Broken Chevrons}
• {Block 2: Fallen Obelisks}
• {Block 3: Modern “T” Block}
• {Block 4: Formula One (on the track)}
• {Block 5: Formula One (finish line)

I, also,  hope to have the last 3 blocks posted this week. Just in time for the big reveal of the finished quilt (100 weeks after I started – you may have already seen it on Instagram today :-)).

Please Note: If you every make the sampler or any of the blocks use #spoonflowersamplerquilt and/or link back to the tutorial. Michelle Wilkie @ Factotum of Arts”.