Question about best way to do this
 

I'm wanting to make a diamond in a square block where the edges of the diamond do not come all the way out to the edge of the block.

I can think of several ways to accomplish this, but would like the experience of those who've done this before to guide me as to which way is quickest and easiest.

Thanks in advance!

Patty (mom-6)

I just avoid bias edges like the plague. Be sure to use plenty of starch. No matter what Jenny Doan says, bias edges are NOT your friend. Good Luck.

I would either paper piece or cut the corner triangles bigger & square up.

I would use Jodi Barrow method....Square in a square. Problem areas are sewn before they are cut.

What about making squares, folding them in half and applying each to the corners of your original square. Then sew them down.

I'm floating a square in a square with a "created cloth" 6" crumb block. I graph papered it. I have two different patterns. The first two sides, then the second two. The reason for the two pattern pieces is, then I'm not trimming off (wasted fabric) the corners, like you do in a traditional sq in sq (diamond in sq) block. My float is over 1", so I would have a lot of trimmed off fabric. (My final block is either 10" or 12". ) The first pattern is shaped like a house, five sided. The second is the traditional half sq triangle.

Draw your graph diagram (without seam allowances), then cut out the house piece you end up with, and then add your seam allowance. I increased the diagonal width about 1/4", to ensure my corners aren't too short. That's only 1/8" on both sides, so I don't trim it off after I add the other two corners.

I cut strips of fabric, then used the templates to sub-cut my units. With the house shape, there are some small triangles that are waste. Since they are not trimmings, with a pressed seam, they are uniform and I toss them into my crumb box.

Bonnie Hunter uses diamond in a square. Her directions are to finger press the center square in half. Then you use the press mark to center the point of the corner you are sewing onto the center sq. I'm using this tip.

Thanks to all!
Quiltmouse, your very clear instructions are working well for me as mine also has a significant float amount.
I had considered that method as a possibility but wasn't quite sure how to go about creating the proper size house piece since my computer with EQ7 is in the shop.

This is such good advice!