SeeMyQuiltCenter Diamond quilt block
A square set on point in the middle, framed by four border strips with a plain square in each corner.
Cutting chart by block size
6" Center Diamond (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 4 rectangles | 3 1/2" × 2" | – |
| Background | 2 squares | 2 3/8" × 2 3/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Accent | 1 square | 2 5/8" × 2 5/8" | – |
| Accent | 4 squares | 2" × 2" | – |
8" Center Diamond (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 4 rectangles | 4 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Background | 2 squares | 2 7/8" × 2 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Accent | 1 square | 3 3/8" × 3 3/8" | – |
| Accent | 4 squares | 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
10" Center Diamond (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 4 rectangles | 5 1/2" × 3" | – |
| Background | 2 squares | 3 3/8" × 3 3/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Accent | 1 square | 4 1/8" × 4 1/8" | – |
| Accent | 4 squares | 3" × 3" | – |
12" Center Diamond (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 4 rectangles | 6 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
| Background | 2 squares | 3 7/8" × 3 7/8" | 4 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Accent | 1 square | 4 3/4" × 4 3/4" | – |
| Accent | 4 squares | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
How to make a 12" Center Diamond block
- Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
- Cut the squares marked "cut once" in half on the diagonal. Each gives two triangles. Sew them to their neighbours along the long edge first and press toward the darker fabric.
- Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 4 × 4 grid, and each cell finishes at 3". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
- Join the rows. The block should measure 12 1/2" now and 12" once it is sewn into the quilt.
Yardage for a Center Diamond quilt (12" blocks)
| Quilt size | Blocks | Finished size | Main | Background | Accent | Border & binding | Backing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 3 × 4 (12) | 42" × 54" | 7/8 yd | 3/8 yd | 3/4 yd | 1 yd | 3 1/2 yd |
| Lap | 4 × 5 (20) | 54" × 66" | 1 1/2 yd | 1/2 yd | 1 1/4 yd | 1 1/8 yd | 4 1/4 yd |
| Throw | 5 × 6 (30) | 66" × 78" | 2 1/4 yd | 3/4 yd | 1 3/4 yd | 1 3/8 yd | 5 yd |
| Twin | 6 × 8 (48) | 78" × 102" | 3 1/2 yd | 1 1/4 yd | 2 5/8 yd | 1 3/4 yd | 9 1/4 yd |
| Queen | 8 × 8 (64) | 102" × 102" | 4 5/8 yd | 1 5/8 yd | 3 5/8 yd | 1 7/8 yd | 9 1/4 yd |
| King | 9 × 9 (81) | 114" × 114" | 5 7/8 yd | 2 1/8 yd | 4 1/2 yd | 2 1/8 yd | 10 1/4 yd |
Blocks side by side with a 3" border, 2 1/2" binding, 42" usable width and 10% extra.
Four ways to set it
A throw quilt of 12" Center Diamond blocks in each setting.
| Setting | Blocks | Finished size | Extra fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side by side | 30 | 66" × 78" | – |
| With sashing | 20 | 60" × 74" | Sashing 7/8 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd |
| Alternating plain blocks | 15 pieced + 15 plain | 66" × 78" | Plain blocks 2 yd |
| On point | 18 | 57" × 74" | Setting triangles 1 1/2 yd |
See Center Diamond in your own fabrics
What to buy
| Fabric | Yardage | Cut |
|---|
Based on 42" usable fabric width, 1/4" seams and 10% extra. Your photos stay on your device.
Questions
How many fabrics does a Center Diamond block need?
Three: main, background and accent. Choose a main fabric that contrasts clearly with the background so the design reads from a distance.
What size pieces do I cut for a 12 inch Center Diamond?
4 main rectangles at 6 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 2 background squares at 3 7/8" × 3 7/8"; 1 accent square at 4 3/4" × 4 3/4"; 4 accent squares at 3 1/2" × 3 1/2".
How many Center Diamond blocks for a lap quilt?
20 blocks at 12", set 4 by 5 with a 3" border, make a 54" × 66" quilt.
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