Log Cabin Star 07

Three diamonds

Cut in half evenly
from the side;
using two rulers helps.

Two pieces with
acute centre diamond
points; two with obtuse.

Sharp acute point units
 in the centre

Obtuse units ranged in the gaps to form a hexagon shape.

A tumbling block unit - you will make three

First join the acute units using thread you can see (seam 1).
press gently to one side. Place an obtuse unit on the unpressed piece so that it covers it exactly. sew from the outside edge
all the way crossing the raw edge slightly (seam 2).

Turn over and unpick the stitches in the seam allowance.
Use the back of your unpicker so you don't cut the stitches.

Like this

Now with the unit wrong side up and the unsewn seam 3 away
from you, pull seams 1 and 2 together so the first diamond folds up inside and piece 1 and 3 are on top of each  other .
Sew the seam and again unpick the stitches in the seam allowance.
You should now have a lovely tumbling block unit as above
and minimal bulk where seams meet.


This is an extension of the way four patches are sometimes sewn which also involves unpicking stitches in the seam as described
here. I had never seen it applied to diamonds and hexagons till I saw the wonderful Gyleen Fitzgerald introduce her invention of it on The Quilt Show no. 1403. I took a class with her and was so impressed with the accuracy of this method. Check out her pdf here and her website here.

I'll post more pictures as I sew.