Sewing diagonal corners on a quilt can transform a simple bed covering into a stunning, eye-catching piece of art. This technique, known as "diagonal setting" or "on-point setting," creates a dynamic, geometric pattern that adds depth and visual interest to your quilt. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you master this skill and elevate your quilting game.
Before we dive into the process, ensure you have the necessary tools and materials. You'll need a rotary cutter, a cutting mat, quilting fabric, a quilting ruler, a sewing machine with a walking foot, and plenty of quilting pins. Also, familiarize yourself with your sewing machine's settings for quilting, as you'll be working with multiple layers of fabric.
Preparing Your Fabric
To begin, choose your fabric and cut it into squares or rectangles, depending on the desired size and shape of your quilt blocks. For a diagonal corner effect, you'll need to cut your fabric into squares. Let's assume you're making 12" finished blocks for this tutorial.
Using a rotary cutter and quilting ruler, cut your fabric into 12.5" squares. This extra half-inch will account for the seam allowance. You'll need one square for each corner of your quilt block. For a 3x3 block quilt, you'll need nine squares in total.
Sewing the Diagonal Seam
Now that you have your fabric squares, it's time to sew the diagonal seam. Take two squares and place them right sides together, with their corners aligned. Draw a diagonal line from one corner to the opposite corner using a fabric marker or a disappearing ink pen.
Sew along this line using a ¼" seam allowance. Start and stop your sewing about ¼" away from the edge of the square to prevent your seam from breaking. Once you've sewn the diagonal seam, press the seam open to reduce bulk and make it easier to work with.
Creating the Quilt Block
Now that you have one diagonal corner sewn, it's time to create the quilt block. Take another two squares and place them right sides together, with their corners aligned. Sew along the diagonal, just like before. You should now have two diagonal seams.
Press these seams open, then lay the two units right sides together, with the seams nesting. Sew along the edge of the seams, using a ¼" seam allowance. You should now have a completed quilt block with diagonal corners. Repeat this process to create the remaining blocks for your quilt.
Assembling Your Quilt
Once you've sewn all your quilt blocks, it's time to assemble your quilt top. Lay out your blocks in the desired pattern, ensuring that the diagonal corners are aligned and facing the correct direction.
Sew the blocks together in rows, using a ¼" seam allowance. Press your seams open to reduce bulk. Once you've sewn all the rows, sew them together to create your quilt top. Remember to press your seams open to make it easier to quilt.
Quilting Your Quilt
Now that your quilt top is complete, it's time to quilt it. Choose a quilting design that complements your diagonal corners. Straight line quilting along the diagonal seams can emphasize the geometric pattern, while free-motion quilting can add texture and interest.
Use a walking foot on your sewing machine to ensure even feed and prevent your quilt from shifting. Quilt your entire quilt, making sure to secure the layers at the beginning and end of each line of quilting. Once you've finished quilting, trim any excess batting and backing fabric from the edges of your quilt.
Binding Your Quilt
Finally, it's time to bind your quilt. Cut binding strips from your chosen fabric, ensuring they're wide enough to cover the raw edges of your quilt. Sew the binding to the front of your quilt, using a ¼" seam allowance.
Fold the binding over to the back of the quilt and hand-stitch it in place, creating a clean, finished edge. Once you've stitched the entire binding, your quilt is complete!
Congratulations on creating a stunning, diagonally cornered quilt! This technique adds a unique, eye-catching element to your quilts and is a great way to showcase your quilting skills. Don't be afraid to experiment with different fabric combinations and quilting designs to create truly one-of-a-kind quilts. Happy quilting!