Better Off Thread « modafabrics

Hi, I’m Janice Ryan and I blog about quilting and sewing at Better Off Thread. I am really excited to be sharing my very first Bake Shop Recipe with you today.

My sister and I both learned the joy of creating handmade items from my mom. Whether it was doll clothing, Halloween costumes, christmas cookies or homemade playdough, I have very fond memories of crafting with my family. I am now the family quilter and my sister, Judy, is the knitter/crocheter. She made my children their very first blankets, and those blankies have seen their share of snuggles and tears and games of tug ‘o’ war. I wanted to make my sister a cozy quilt for snuggling under, with a good book, on all those rainy East Coast days (and there have been a LOT this summer.). Since I live in California, I thought I would send her a little bit of sun and Sunnyside by Kate Spain was the perfect choice. I love how the diamonds create a sunburst and make the colors dance around the quilt. I hope my quilt adds a little sunshine to your day, too.

1 Jelly Roll- Sunnyside by Kate Spain

2 yards background fabric- Moda Bella in White

4 yards backing fabric

Please read all instructions prior to making this quilt! All seam allowances are ¼” unless stated otherwise.

Step 1: Make Diamond Panels

Separate your jelly roll into 4 sets of 9 strips each. You will want 5 different colors in each set:

– color 1 = 1 strip

– color 2 = 2 strips

– color 3 = 3 strips

– color 4 = 2 strips

– color 5 = 1 strip

My sets were made up of the colors listed below:

Take your first set of 9 strips and sew them together into 3 sets of 3 (arrange them in the same order as the diagram above.) Each strip will be offset 2 1/4″ lower than the previous one. Press seams open.

Tip: lightly starch your strip sets to keep them from stretching once they are cut on the bias.

Cut your strip set every 2 1/2″ at a 45º angle. Cut 10 strips.

Tip: I use the angle lines my normal quilter’s ruler to cut the 45º angle, but there are various specialty angle rulers that can be purchased.

Repeat for your 2 other sets of strips.

Sew one strip from each set together, matching seams.

You will now have one diamond panel.

Repeat to make 10 diamonds panels and then repeat Step 1 on your other 3 sets of 9 strips. You will have 40 diamonds when completed.

Tip: You can find a photo tutorial for making these diamond panels on my blog.

Step 2: Cutting Background

From your background fabric cut 10 strips 6 1/2″ x WOF (about 44″).

Starting at the bottom left corner of your strip, cut a 45º angle. Make a 45º cut every 9″. Each strip will yield 4 diamonds (background diamonds will be the same exact size as a finished diamond panel from step one.).

Tip: if you are feeling adventurous, you can layer 3-4 strips and cut them all at the same time.

Cut all strips until you have 40 diamonds.