This is a wonderful and easy method for finishing your small blackwork designs. The diamond ornament can be embellished all sorts of ways and makes a charming sachet. There are several tutorials on the 'net, but I found most of them to be downright difficult. Lots of measuring, mitering, and pressing. I figured out a way to get my diamond the right size without rulers and without counting! Come along; I'll show you how.
Find the side of the diamond. Start at the outermost detail of one side of the diamond. Stitch a running stitch in a diagonal line from that point to the topmost point of the pattern.
Continue all the way around the pattern. Go all the way around, especially if you're using even weave fabric.
I was a half stitch off on a recent piece. A running stitch all the way around the design will insure that your diamond is symmetrical.
NOTE: Use a light-colored thread for your measuring stitch. You will remove the stitch later in the process and darker threads have been known to leave a stain.
Stitch a border. Using a double-running stitch, create a border using the tips of the measuring stitch as a guide.
When completed, it should look like this:
Carefully remove the measuring stitch, wash, and press your design.
Trim excess fabric, creating a seam allowance of about 4 stitches. Press seam allowances to the wrong side of the design.
Locate the center of the border.
Start stitching by running thread through the stitch just right of center. Pinch the border in half, locate the stitch just left of center and begin whip stitching the border.
Whip stitch to the end, then secure thread by running it back under a few stitches.
Repeat on the opposite side. With both sides completed, it should look like this:
Pinch the finished sides together.
Stitch a third side.
After three sides are sewn, stuff with batting, making sure to work it into the corners. Do not over-stuff. Sew the fourth side closed using the whip stitch.
Secure the four sides in the center, weaving the thread in and out of the seams several times.
Add thread to one of the tips for a hanger. Embellish as desired.
Your "No Measuring Required" diamond ornament is now complete!
I love the design you used for this tutorial, but couldn't find it on your blog, and the link to your website doesn't work. Where can I download/buy this?
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Thank you for asking, Kim. The pattern, "Ilsa" is not yet ready for sale, but I will be offering it soon. I'll let you know when it becomes available.
ReplyDeleteLove this tutorial! I hate all the counting & recounting required to compute a diamond ornament finish...you've just taken all the work out of it and made it easy as pie! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it helped!
ReplyDeleteI would add one piece of advice to this tutorial. Measure your running stitch border, to make sure that it measures the same vertically and horizontally, before you proceed. You can use a scrap of paper, instead of a ruler, to measure it if you want. BBt you should measure it.
ReplyDeleteI have made diamond ornaments on 28 count fabric only to discover that it was not 28 count in both directions. The diamond did not go together properly. I had to remark the square.