Equilateral diamonds?
 

I seem to be having a world of issues with these guys. I'm making a 8 pointed star and need to cut out the diamonds. I only have my standard quilters ruler and the rotary cutter. I've looked at several tutes showing how to cut these things but I'm still coming out wonky. What am I doing wrong.?

I personally RUN from any pattern with diamonds. Everything has to be absolutely perfect. Your cutting, your seams and where you pin the two diamonds together for a seam. That is why there are notches in the diamond rulers so they the cut pieces are placed correctly. Pressing can also wonk a diamond out of shape. Hope you starched your fabric well.

You cut your strips at say 2 1/2 inches. Place the 45 deg line of your ruler along the bottom of your strip and trim off one end. Now, with that 45 deg line still on the long edge of fabric, measure 2 1/2 inches from the end you just cut off.

Determine the distance from one side to opposite side (not point to point). Cut a strip that wide. Use the 60 degree angle marked on your ruler to make the first cut on one end, then measure from the 60 degree cut with the straight side of the ruler the same distance as the width of your strip and cut there. Once the angle is cut at the beginning of the strip the rest of the strip can be cut parallel to that cut.

Diamonds can be of many shapes. You need to know the angles for the diamonds you are trying to make. cjsews suggests a 45 degree angle, Kat sews suggests 60 degrees - your diamond is probably one of these, but you must measure to know for sure.

If you go to You tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QpLyjeeEJA
Sometimes it helps to actually see how to set your ruler.

Good luck!

These are 45 degree cuts. I got the first cut and one diamond to turn out right, after that it went down hill. The video helped a lot and showed me I was cutting backwards. I'll try it again and see what I come up with but I may have to go get some more fabric and a square ruler. I need 6 of the stars and they're all the same color so with 8 equilateral diamonds in each star I should have the 45 cuts down pat when I get done.

crocee... if you are making an 8 point star, I think you are to use the 45 degree, a 6 point star would be 60 degrees....someone correct me on my math if I'm wrong. :o)

This 8 point star uses 45 degree cuts, not sure about the others.

Anytime I am cutting a shape on the bias I starch my fabric first. It makes a world of difference. I usually have 3-4 applications of starch. I spray the fabric lightly and roll it up and put it in a plastic bag like we used to do back in the day with sprinkling clothes before we ironed them. Once the starch has had time to absorb into the fibers of the fabric I iron it and then repeat the process a few more times. Yes, it does take some time but well worth it to reduce the headaches that bias edges present when they stretch.