Diamond Illusion Quilt

Diamond Illusion

60" x 60"

Download the pattern here.

Fabric Requirements

(36) 10" squares or (1) Pack of precut 10" squares
Border — 1 1/3 yards
Binding — 5/8 yard
Backing — 4 yards

Cutting Instructions

From the border fabric, cut:
(6) 6 1/2" x Width of Fabric (WOF) strips, sewn together and subcut into:
(2) 6 1/2" x 48 1/2"
(2) 6 1/2" x 60 1/2"

From the binding fabric, cut:
(7) 2 1/2" x WOF strips

Block Assembly

Sort the 10" squares into 18 light and 18 dark squares. It's okay if there are medium value squares, use them to even out your numbers, and then pair them with a lighter or darker partner when sewing.

Mark the wrong side of a light 10" square in half once. Layer a marked light 10" square over dark 10" square and secure. Sew 1/4" from the marked line on both sides.

Cut apart on the marked line and press to the dark to make 2 Rail units.

Mark the wrong side of one of the Rail units in half, crossing the seam. Layer with an unmarked rail unit from its pair with the colors on opposite sides of one another.

Sew 1/4" from the marked line on both sides. Cut apart on the marked line to make 2 Four Patch units.

Pop open the middle where all the seams meet and press for a flatter block. See image below for more illustration of how to split the seam.

Trim the Four Patch units to 9" square.

Mark the wrong side of a Four Patch unit in half diagonally. Layer a mark and unmarked Four Patch of the same pair with the colors on opposite sides of one another as shown.

Sew 1/4" from the marked line on both sides. Cut apart on the marked line to make 2 Diamond Illusion blocks.

Press and trim to 8 1/2" square.

Repeat this process to make 36 Diamond Illusion blocks.

Quilt Assembly

Lay the blocks out as shown above in grayscale to help with value placement. There are lots of different possible layouts, so feel free to experiment! Sew 6 blocks together into a row. Make 6 rows. Sew the rows together to make the quilt center measuring 48 1/2" square.

Sew the 6 1/2" x 48 1/2" border strips to the sides of the quilt center and press. Finally, sew the 6 1/2" x 60 1/2" border strips to the top and bottom of the quilt and press.

Quilt as desired and bind using preferred method to finish your Diamond Illusion quilt.