Q.U.I.L.T.S. 30th Anniversary Block of the Month
Amish Diamond Block – Pieced
12” x 12” finished size
The Amish Diamond block is an uneven 9-patch block. The center unit is a square-in-a-square.
Alternate Names and History
Diamond in the Square
A history of Amish quilt making may be found at http://www.theamishquilt.com/history.html
Above diagrams reproduced from Electric Quilt 7.
For a video on how to make this block, using another method for the square-in-a-square, click on this link:
http://www.freequiltpatterns.info/video---amish-diamond-quilt-block-tutorial.htm.
I wrote all the instructions and took photographs as I completed my block. There should be no copy write issues
with regard to the distribution of this material.
Instructions and photographs by Karen Lindley, April, 2013
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Q.U.I.L.T.S. 30th Anniversary Block of the Month
Fabric requirements:
Background:
Green:
3 ½” x 28”
6 ½” x 21”
Neutral
Red
Cutting:
Fabric
Background
Cut Size
3 ½” x 3 ½”
Red
6 ½” x 6 ½”
3 ½” x 6 ½”
Number to Cut
8
1
4
Piece (see drawing)
A, C
D
B
Sew all seams with a scant ¼”.
Square-in-a-Square:
I have used one method here, but these block units may be made by paper piecing, too.
1. On the back side of 4 Background 3 ½” squares, use a pencil and ruler to lightly draw a line from one
corner to the opposite corner. Draw the line only on 4 of the Background squares. (Optional bonus:
Draw a light pencil line ½” from the first pencil line.)
2. Align one of the above Background squares evenly with one corner of the Red 6 ½” square (D) so the
drawn line touches the edges of the Red square. (Optional bonus: Note that the second pencil line has
been placed toward the corner – not toward the center of the block.)
Instructions and photographs by Karen Lindley, April, 2013
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Q.U.I.L.T.S. 30th Anniversary Block of the Month
3. Sew barely on the edge of the drawn line nearest the corner (see photo). (Optional bonus: Sew another
seam that is ½” from the seam, again toward the corner. After trimming, you will have a nice halfsquare triangle bonus to use later in this project, in another project or on your quilt back!)
Needle is
touching edge of
pencil line toward
the corner.
4. Press seam toward the dark fabric.
5. Align another of the 3 ½” squares evenly with the opposite corner of the Red 6 ½” square (D) so the
drawn line touches the edges of the Red square. It is important to cut and press before going to the
next step. As shown in the picture above, the corner fabric must be pressed into place before sewing on
the next corner square. Note that the second corner square overlaps the first.
Overlap
6. Sew on the outside edge (nearest the corner) of the drawn line. (Optional bonus: Sew another seam
that is ½” from the seam, again toward the corner. After trimming, you will have a nice half-square
triangle bonus to use in another project or on your quilt back!)
7. Trim the corner, leaving a ¼” seam allowance. (Optional bonus: Cut between the 2 sewn lines.)
8. Align another of the 3 ½” background squares evenly with one of the remaining corners of the Red 6 ½”
square (D) so the drawn line touches the edges of the Red square. Note that the background square
overlaps the triangle unit created in the previous steps.
9. Sew on the outside edge of the drawn line nearest the corner. (Optional bonus: Sew another seam that
is ½” from the seam, again toward the corner. After trimming, you will have a nice half-square triangle
bonus to use later in this project, in another project or on your quilt back!)
10. Align the last of the 3 ½” background squares evenly on the last corner of the Red 6 ½” square (D) so the
drawn line touches the edges of the Red square. Note that the background square overlaps the triangle
unit created in the previous steps. (see Step 8 picture)
Instructions and photographs by Karen Lindley, April, 2013
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Q.U.I.L.T.S. 30th Anniversary Block of the Month
11. Sew on the outside edge of the drawn line nearest the corner. (Optional bonus: Sew another seam that
is ½” from the seam, again toward the corner. After trimming, you will have a nice half-square triangle
bonus to use later in this project, in another project or on your quilt back! See Step 3 picture.)
12. Trim the corner, leaving a ¼” seam allowance. (Optional bonus: Cut between the 2 sewn lines.)
13. Press seams toward the dark fabric.
14. The diamond (or square in a square) unit should measure 6 ½” x 6 ½”.
15. If you made the optional half-square triangle units, trim them to 2 ½” square.
Assemble Row 2:
•
•
Assemble as shown in the pictures below.
Press seams away from center square. This should measure 6 ½” x 12 ½”.
Rows 1 and 3:
•
•
•
Assemble as shown in the pictures below.
Press seams toward the center.
Rows should measure 3 1/2” x 12 ½”
Instructions and photographs by Karen Lindley, April, 2013
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Q.U.I.L.T.S. 30th Anniversary Block of the Month
Amish Diamond Block Assembly – assemble as shown, matching seams. Press seams away from the center.
Instructions and photographs by Karen Lindley, April, 2013
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