Hi Patti, just saw your mention on another post about Quilted Diamonds. I have both those books and I'm hoping to start a small project with those... I've got my first pattern printed off... for a while now.. just got to decide on fabric. Did you get Linda's DVD on hand piecing if not I highly recommend it. I hadn't much of a clue about hand piecing until I saw her DVD on it. I got my DVDs with the books... if you haven't got around to watching them then please do, it is brilliant (however Linda makes it look really easy but it takes a bit of practice, I'm still practicing).
Thanks Elly. Yes I have the book and the DVD (thanks again Kathyl). I have the fabric - a gorgeous dark green with tiny stars and blobs of colour; and, to go with it, a plain pale pink. I thought I'd do it with just two colours. I planned to do as many as I have fabric for >gHi Patti,
So true, Cindy!! Although I will finish my Dear Jane, I think the quilted diamonds are prettier. I hope that doesn't offend anyone. How very interesting that the person on Webshots has also chosen green and pink for hers! . In message , teleflora writes
Did you enjoy skewing, Pati? I've wondered about distortion as a technique. It appeals to me very much, as does difference in scale used within the same piece. Have you ever tried that? . In message , "Pati, in Phx" writes
I work on my diamonds every now and then, but I'm not in any rush. I've finished 69 diamonds from the QD2 book, but I still haven't decided what project(s) to make from them.. I do enjoy making them, though, and that's enough for me for the moment. :)
Well, since I "skewed" via EQ it was fun. Not sure I would want to do it manually for some of the blocks I did Not positive what you mean about difference in scale used within the same piece... could you explain a bit??? Please?? I have done some blocks with different scales of fabric in them. What can be interesting is using a large print and cutting small pieces.... it can look like several different fabrics, but they all coordinate well since they are actually the same fabric.
I think all I meant, really, was using the same block, in different sizes, within the same quilt? OR: making part of the quilt with blocks in one size eg the centre with small blocks; then a pieced border - same block, larger size; then perhaps a third border - same block yet larger size. Or, they could go the other way of course. I often get these odd ideas, but have never really tried to draw them out.
Sorry PAT! They are diamond-shaped blocks, created by Linda Franz, in a style reminiscent of the Dear Jane set in a way; mostly because there are a great many of them and all are different. They are not just squares set on point, they are definitely diamonds. Haven't measured the angle, but I expect they are 60° ones. They are quite small, and are intended to be hand-pieced. I don't know the patterns well enough (without going to fetch the book) to be able to see whether any could be machine-pieced. But, I mean to do them the way that was intended. They are very pretty, and can be done in just two colours. I suppose you could work out a colour 'scheme'? I'm going to do mine in a dark green patterned fabric, and a plain pale pink (at least that's the idea - it could change >g
Aren't there two books one of which has a cd with it. I've looked at them and wondered. If I decide to splurge with some of my Christmas money, which book do I go for?
Oh blow! Sorry about that Sally. The book was kindly given to me, so I didn't know about any ordering difficulty. If you are not in a hurry, we might meet up at a show or something in the next few months and I can bring it to show you?
Let's move this very specific conversation to private e-mail, shall we? . In message , Sally Swindells writes
Linda visited my guild in Kingston when the book was first published. He quilt was awesome! She decided to self-publish, after trying to deal with several companies. She is a true Jane Austen fan, and was inspired by a diamond quilt displayed at Jane Austen's home in England. She wanted to include quotes and notes from the novels in her book, but most of the quilt publishing houses wanted to exclude the notes. I'll check with some of my guild members to see where you can order a copy.
Yep,there are 2 books, Quilted Diamonds, and Quilted Diamonds 2. The first is based on Linda Franz' quilt "In Love and Friendship" where she skewed Dear Jane blocks and some other blocks into 60 degree diamonds, and went from there. There is an interesting center medallion and a scalloped edge to the quilt. After the success of QD Linda wrote a second book, creating "new" diamonds, doing samples in at least 2 colorways and showing the back of the diamond block to let people see how to press the seams easily. Book 2 is the one with the CD/DVD hand piecing "lesson" with it. Book
2 is also the one generally recommended as the first one to buy. There are several suggested quilt layouts and samples of various Quilted Diamond quilts shown in Book 2, but they are more "inspiration" than "instruction". There are also EQ CDs for each book. Much easier to print the diamonds out on freezer paper than to trace them from the book.
As to construction, many of the diamonds could easily be done by machine, but in many the pieces are so small that it is actually easier/faster to hand piece. BTW, the size of the diamonds is ' 4" x 7" ' which are the point to point measurement. OF course with the EQ CD you can size them to whatever size you want to make.
You can order both books and CD directly from Linda, and she will autograph them for you too, if you wish.
While visiting her site, check out Inklingo too. The new collections are downloadable and there is a free set, which happens to be the "Lemoyne Star" block from the DJ quilt. (Finishes at 4 1/2", with seam allowances it is 5"). Great way to try Inklingo at no cost. (And there are lots of different blocks that can be made with the shapes from this block, there are samples in the photo area of the Inklingo group, probably other places too. There is even a new Inklingo Blog set up specifically to showcase Inklingo projects. )
The little hand pieced blocks are addictive, be warned. Once you start them you will probably not want to stop.
Have fun, Pati, > Aren't there two books one of which has a cd with it. I've looked at
Even though you don't have a specific order form on the web site, just click on the product and there is a place to click to order. It is really very simple. As to the books not being available at Amazon, there are business reasons. As I understand it, Amazon is not really "small business friendly", and many self published authors don't want to deal with the hassles involved. Linda is very customer oriented and goes out of her way to help out. If you have any problems, just drop her a note. Right now both she and Russ, her husband and "shipping department" are down with a virus, but normally she will respond very quickly to e-mails and such.
Linda has had some problems with getting shops to carry the EQ CDs that go with the books, but you can order the set from her site. In the top menu bar is a "Shop" button. It gives a pull down menu for QD, or Inklingo, orgift certificates. Choosing one, results in another pull down menu where you click on what you want to see. On those pages, to the left is a "purchase" button, with options if available. (For both QD books you can get them with or without the EQ CD.) Linda charges no "handling" fee and only actual postage. And if you order both books, they fit in one flat rate envelope, with the CDs if you order them) for the same postage as one book.
One of the new Inklingo Collections is the Jane Austen Quilt. I am seriously thinking of getting it and using my collection of yellow rose fabrics for the diamonds in it. (it is unpieced diamonds, set with sashing, and a medallion. the pieced border is small diamonds. )
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