Hints for sewing diamonds
 

Does anyone have good ideas for sewing 60 degree diamonds? I try to be careful and they seem to get distorted. Any helpful advice is appreciated.

As with any piece cut with bias edges, a good practice is to starch the fabric heavily BEFORE you cut.

Yes, you have to starch your fabric so you bias edges won't shift on you.

pin them fairly closely, do not pull on them while sewing, let the feed dogs do the work with you just guiding them, keeping them straight. starch works wonders on bias edges to help control the stretch.

For straight sides advice above is good....for the Y seam join...I use Kaye woods method...no stopping that dreaded 1/4" away.....perfect join!

I am making my first quilt with 60 degree diamonds. I found that "pinning" with very small drops of elmers glue gave me much better control with less warping than pinning with pins.

I've watched Kaye Woods and it worked for me.

Use the point of your iron when pressing the seam, not the side of the iron which is curved and can help distort. Use care to press not push/pull/stretch/move the iron around.

Jan in VA

There are lots of ways to apply starch. Here's the method I use to give me nice, crisp, evenly-starched fabric:
1. Wash and dry fabric (to remove excess dye and to shrink)
2. Soak fabric in 1:1 mix of liquid starch and water (I do this in a dishpan.)
3. Air-dry fabric the way you would a wool sweater
4. Press fabric.

Starch or Best Press your fabric before cutting.

Check your template very frequently so that you know you are cutting the proper angles each time. My first diamond quilt I checked every other diamond. I was that OCD.

Either the Kay Woods or the Fons & Porter way of sewing works. The point is being careful of the 1/4" points.