Modern HST Sampler #21: Diamond Twirl

Welcome back to the Modern HST Sampler quilt along! If this is the first time you’re reading this, fear not, you can join in at anytime. Start with this one or go back to the beginning, it’s up to you. This year, we’re making 24 modern half-square triangle quilt blocks, and by the end of the year, you will not only have a beautiful sampler quilt, but you will have some well-honed HST making skills. If you need more information, you can find out more about:

• The QAL and fabric requirements
• Required and recommended tools
• Tips for HST accuracy
• Frequently Asked Questions
• The rest of the blocks!

This quilt along has been structured so that you slowly ease your way into half-square triangles. We started off with 4″ finished HSTs (4.5″ unfinished), and then conquered 3″ finished HSTs (3.5″ unfinished), before working with the 4″ and 2″ finished HSTs. This time, we’re back to making 3″ finished HSTs, but also adding in half-sized ones too that finish at 1.5″ (2″ unfinished)! We’re still using the same methods of making the half-square triangles – 2 at a time, 4 at a time, and 8 at a time – but now we’re getting smaller again.

Diamond Twirl is block number 21, and is a fun block to use by itself in a quilt top, with the little HSTs in each corner forming a star when put with three other Diamond Twirl blocks.

Fabrics used from the Modern HST Sampler Kit: Kona Oyster
Blueberry Park Navy Rough Patch, Blueberry Park Fog Dotty Sunflowers, Blueberry Park Aqua Rough Patch
Blueberry Park Ultra Marine Sprouting Row Yardage, Blueberry Park Yarrow Strand, Anna Elise Cold Geo Mist,

Diamond Twirl

Fabric Requirements

Print 1 (light blue)
1 – 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″

Print 2 (dark blue)
1 – 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″

Print 3 (light teal)
1 – 5″ x 5″

Print 4 (dark teal)
1 – 8″ x 8″
4 – 2″ x 2″

Print 5 (dark mustard)
1 – 5″ x 5″

Print 6 (light mustard)
4 – 2″ x 2″

Background
1 – 8″ x 8″
2 – 5″ x 5″
4 – 2″ x 2″

Block should measure 12.5” x 12.5”. Use a 1/4″ seam and press seams toward the darker print, or as directed.

Instructions

Step 1. Pair Prints 1 and 2. Make 4 HSTs and press the seams towards the dark print. Trim to 2″ square.

Step 2. Pair Print 3 and a 5″ background square. Make 8 HSTs and press the seams towards the print. Trim to 2″ square. Repeat for Print 5 and remaining 5″ background square.

Step 3. Pair Print 4 and the 8″ background square. Make 8 HSTs and press the seams towards the print. Trim to 3.5″ square.

Step 4. Arrange all HSTs and remaining squares to create the Diamond Twirl block. Piece the centre HSTs into rows, pressing seams in alternate directions. Sew the rows together, pressing seams open.

Step 5. Sew two large HSTs together. Make 4.

Step 6. Sew the corner units together into pairs. Sew the rows together, pressing seams open.

Step 7. Sew two units from step 5 to each side of the unit from step 4. Press seams towards the large HSTs. Sew the units from step 6 to either side of the remaining step 4 units. Press seams towards the large HSTs.

Step 8. Sew the rows together, pressing seams open.

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.blossomheartquilts.com/modern-hst-sampler-qal/" title="Modern HST Sampler QAL"><img src="http://www.blossomheartquilts.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/The-Modern-HST-Sampler-QAL-400x399.png" width="250" alt="Modern HST Sampler QAL" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

I hope you have fun making Diamond Twirl! You can share them on Instagram using #modernHSTsampler (and feel free to tag me too – @blossomheartquilts!), or in the Blossom Heart Quilts group on Facebook. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask in the comments.

Click here for all the Modern HST Sampler quilt block tutorials