I never thought I’d actually finish this quilt. When I started back on Jan 1 (that’s when I brought out the first set of batik strips and considered using them to make diamonds) I had something completely different in mind. A month later on Feb 3 that first effort died. I didn’t pick up the project again until Mar 11 – it’s taken me three weeks to reimagine, rebuild, and complete this quilt. The photo doesn’t do the fabrics justice – the colours blend and just pop. The graduated border continues the flow nicely as well.
I used a ton of small scraps from the diamonds to construct a 12″ wide crazy quilt strip on the back which I sashed with the same turquoise I used to frame the diamonds on the front.
I used a hidden binding on the quilt – I hand stitched it down last night (using a small leather patch to protect the hole in my third finger).
In the end I decided to quilt the borders fairly densely. I created a swirl motif which I used on the narrow border; I widened it for the wide border.
I quilted most of the borders using the same dark blue variegated thread I used on the back of the quilt. However, when I reached the lighter colours, I switched to another which had pale blue values. You can’t really see where I made the transition – I was lucky that I could blend the lightest colour of the dark thread with the darkest colour of the light thread.
Now, if you can believe it – I’m about to tackle another diamonds quilt – this time using my Kaffe Fassett fabric collection. Wild large prints in way-out colours. The diamonds will be larger and there will be fewer of them. What I’m planning at the moment would need 111 diamonds with bordering half elements. I don’t have 111 fabrics but I bet I have between 50 and 60. So the first thing I need to do is count the fabrics and begin planning from there.
Why diamonds, again? Well, I’m reasonably technically proficient with squares, rectangles,, flying geese, drunkards path blocks, etc. I figure I should also be good at diamonds – the only way to get there is to keep working at it.
jmn 
That’s looks wonderful! I love how you’ve used the scraps on the back. It’s always fun when the back of the quilt is its own quilt. I have the makings of a Diamond quilt sitting in my WIP drawer. You’re inspiring me to get going with it.
absolutely stunning!! Well done.
Well done, my brave and fearless friend! I love the swirl motif and the vibrant colours.
Very good. I’ve made one diamonds quilt of that nature, I think, and a couple of others in star orientations. They’re an interesting challenge. Lots of times when I finish a particular project I have the sense of not being done with whatever I’m learning from it. Good idea to keep going.
Wow came out so well! Love the transition of the colors. So fine!
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