Dazzling Diamonds Sew-A-Long: Part 1
Oct 20th 2023
Welcome to Part 1 of the Dazzling Diamonds Sew-A-Long!
Read below for instructions on starting off the Dazzling Diamonds Quilt.
All page references in this post refer to your ebook or physical copy of Crazy Quilting Dazzling Diamonds.
Organization
Create a fabric swatch guide (include your representative color pencil color too).
Use colored pencils and the piecing diagram (page 13) to ensure a good color balance in
fabrics across the project.
Print the block patterns (refer to page 16 for the URL link to the pattern). Cut each individual
block pattern into patches, label each with the fabric color you will be using.
Cutting
Lay each individual patch pattern on the correct fabric (refer to page 14). Cut each fabric patch out, being careful to add seam allowance along the cut pattern lines (refer to page 17). Stack the patches together into their respective block; label and set aside.
You can choose to cut the borders now or wait until Part #3 of the Sew-A-Long. You can also
omit any borders if you desire. These will not be embellished. Borders will be 6” cut by Width of
Fabric (WOF).
Fabric Choices
Most traditional crazy quilts are made of velvet, silk, brocade, and satin fabrics. However, these
are all very expensive…especially when we are in the “learning stages” or creating crazy quilts.
So, modern quilts often are made of cotton fabrics. Blenders and solids rather than busy prints
will ensure your embroidery work is the focal of the quilt. That doesn’t mean that the fabrics
need to be “plain”…just not super busy. Batiks make a great alternative to fancy fabrics. Using
beautiful cottons in saturated colors can create drama.
The instruction quilt is created in some gorgeous fall colors; but your colors can be any
combination you desire.
Strive for “harmony” rather than “drama” when selecting your fabric colors. The drama will be added in the gorgeous fiber and silk ribbon embroidery!
Foundation: Crazy quilts are built on a foundation layer because the embroidery and beads create too much weight for a single layer of fabric. Also, this foundation will give you a place to “hide” all of your embroidery fiber traveling and bead thread knots.
Cut seven strips measuring 8” by WOF; subcut these into 27 pieces measuring 8” x 10”. Muslin
or cream/white cotton will work beautifully as a foundation. If fabric is not available, you can also
use a lightweight interfacing as your foundation. (If you plan on doing heavy embellishing, a
combination of fabric/foundation is a good solution.)
Instructions
Use a standard quarter-inch seam allowance when piecing the individual blocks. These blocks
are assembled as you would a normal traditional pieced block. Follow the block diagrams and
your fabric color placement guide lay out each patch in the proper place (refer to page 17) to
create the specific block. All piecing should be done on top of the foundation fabric layer. Begin
with a center patch…then simply “flip’n’sew” the adjacent patches into place. Press the blocks
and set aside.
Connect with us!
Follow C&T’s Instagram page for weekly reminders! You are invited to share your progress by tagging @ctpublishing and using #DazzlingDiamondsSewALong. If you have any questions, reach out to Kathy via her blog here.
Return to the C&T Blog for Part 2, which will be posted on Friday, October 27.
For more information on the Dazzling Diamonds Sew-A-Long, including the supply list and schedule, visit the first Dazzling Diamonds Sew-A-Long blog post here.
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About Kathy Seaman Shaw
Kathy Seaman Shaw has always shared her knowledge of the needle arts by teaching basic skills in sewing, crocheting, cross-stitch, ribbon embroidery, beading, jewelry making, and traditional quilting at local guilds. Crazy quilting allows the use of skills from other hobbies as possible embellishment ideas, keeping creativity flourishing and expanding Kathy’s knowledge in various techniques. She just can’t imagine a more enjoyable creative experience and is happy to share that love of needle arts with anyone who will listen.
She offers a full range of free downloadable classes in crazy quilting embellishing techniques on her blog. These were offered as free online classes; but now can be finished as a self-pace volume of instruction in Basic, Intermediate & Advanced techniques.
Kathy is happy to answer questions via her blog at shawk. Just leave a comment on any of the Dazzling Diamonds Sew-A-Long posts during this event.
