Make This: Diamond in Square Quilt Block Tutorial
Today we’re going to cover a basic quilt block: the Diamond in a Square. The traditional way would have you cut a diamond and four triangle pieces, but we have an easier method for foolproof accuracy every time.
To start, you will need five squares, one 5″ and four 2.75″. We used Wee Wander fabric for the focal square, with some of our coordinating scraps for the corners.
To scale this block to any size, decide how big you want the diamond from point-to-point (ex. 2″), then add .5″ for seam allowance (ex. 2.5″). Divide this by two, and add .25″ for seam allowance (ex. 1.5″). This is the size of your four smaller squares. So, the formula (Big Square+.5)/2 + .25 will tell you the size to cut the smaller squares for any size.
On the wrong side of the smaller squares, draw a diagonal line.
Place two squares right sides together on the big square with the lines cutting across opposite points, as shown below.
Sew right along the diagonal lines on both squares.
Trim the excess corner fabric with a 1/4″ seam on both squares.
Press corners open.
Now, just repeat the same process on the other two corners.
Press the block flat, and you are all done!
This block is great for showcasing your favorite prints. You can put a lot of them together in a snap for a quick quilt of any size. They also make great borders and filler blocks. We would love to see what you do with it!
-Diane & Audrey
This is so neet and great to know how to use with different sizes. Thank you for your time and skills. 🙂
Too much wasted fabric. Add 1/2 in to square and place in corner and sew 1/4 in in. Then cut on the line corner to corner and you have the other 1/2. That is more difficult to insert into the other corner but if you have experience can do it.
You can always save your trimmed corners and make half-square triangles, if you’re concerned about fabric waste. As you said, your method is more difficult. Our tutorials are aimed at people learning how to quilt.
I am happy to have found your web site!
Your Diamond in Square Block Tutorial is genius.
Thank you! —-❤️
Thanks! Glad it’s helpful.
This is just a square within a square.
Yes. You’re correct. Since the square is on point, we called it a diamond.
Thanks for the diamond in a square tutorial. I can now make a dozen of these in no time at all.
If you’re like me and don’t like to waste the scraps, before you cut off the small triangles, stitch another row 1/2 ” from the 1st row and cut between the two. You now have ready made 1/2 square triangles for a possible border or another project.
If you’re like me and don’t like to waste the scraps, before you cut off the small triangles, stitch another row 1/2 ” from the 1st row and cut between the two. You now have ready made 1/2 square triangles for a possible border or another project.
Yes, I AM like you, Joy. Excellent tutorial, but I was getting so worried about all those waste triangles of fabric piling up…
Then your brilliant suggestion: problem solved!
Good Evening Joy: just saw your comment about the “Diamond in a Square.” I am not clear or truly understanding about how to do it. I know many people who already have experience, but I’m new. I wish there was a video tutorial regarding what you wrote. I am such a visual person. Any way you can help me. I am very interested in how you do this.
Thank you. I will wait for your response.
Have a nice, Safe and Healthy Holiday!
Here is a YouTube video that shows this method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Vdqu53TxTI
Looking forward to following your weekly projects.
Brilliant, thank you. The extra tip about saving the scrap corners is a great idea too. Thank you! So pleased to have found your site.
Love this! I’m a beginning quilter so I have been looking for an easy quilt block to move past the plain ‘ol 1 print square. This is perfect! And your instructions make it sew easy! Thank you!
That is so awesome. Thank you for your pattern. I’m going to make a quilt using your pattern. Thank you once again
According to your formula, the little squares should be cut at 3”. 5”+.5” = 5.5/2 =2.75 + .25 = 3”
For the example size, the formula works like this: 4.5″ (size of the finished diamond) + .5″= 5″/2= 2.5″ + .25″ = 2.75″. You need to start with the size you want the diamond to finish, not the cut size of the big square.
Your Diamond in Square Block Tutorial is genius just like another viewer commented. I just love this simple way of producing a gem that will appear much complicated to the receiver.
Thank you so much for sharing such a classic idea for those of us who sew just a wee bit slower and need some hand holding…. 🙂
Richmond, VA
This is perfect! I find this is a much easier way to make this block. Your not stretching the smaller peice across grain. Always perfect and no waist this way. Making a smaller half square triangles I also like to add to my HST stash. Win win. Thank you so much!
Why are you calling this diamond in a square? It is simply a square in a square. There is no diamond involved. A diamond does not have 90 degree angles, right angle corners.
We call it a diamond because it’s set on point. This block has many names, and this is the one we prefer.
I see a diamond in a square. Unsure why others keep questioning the name. Love the pattern! Can’t wait to make some 🙂
I made my grandkids a quilt to share. So much fun
I personalized it with their names intersecting
Not sure if I can attach a photo. Can’t get it to paste from my library
Question: I’m trying to end up with a 12.5” block (with including a seam allowance of 1/2”).
When doing the formula do you need to include the seam allowance for example:
12.5” + .5”=13/2=6.5”+ 1/4” = 6.75”
Or is the .5” added in the formula for the seam allowance? And therefore it would be:
12”+.5”=12.5/2= 6.25”+1/4”= 6.5”
Please let me know, thanks for you help!
Hi Judy, the seam allowance is added in the formula, so your small squares should be 6.5″.