Pink Tulip Quilting

• Project Type: Quilt
• Design: Queen of Diamonds
• Size: 67” x 77”
• Fabric: Pin Dot Floral collection by Kathy Engel
• Technique: Paper Piecing (EPP, FPP)
• Bonus Giveaway: Pin Dot Foral 42 five-inch squares!! Such scrumptious colors! Leave a comment on this blog to be entered to win! Winner will be randomly chosen with the announcement at Pink Tulip Quilting’s Instagram page on September 30, 2023.

The September 2023 Island Batik Pieced to Perfection Blog Hop Challenge assigned me the gorgeous Pin Dot Floral collection by Kathy Engle. I had to consider what paper piecing design would do justice to this lovely collection. After a few days of research, I opted to do my own spin on the Queen of Diamonds quilt using both English Paper Piecing and Foundation Paper Piecing in the construction of the quilt. My decision included consideration of my limited experience with Epp and FPP when I determined my ultimate quilt construction design.

The Queen of Diamonds quilt is a popular quilt pattern that has been around for many years. It is a variation of the traditional diamond quilt pattern which was a quilt of diamond-shaped pieces that were arranged in a specific way to create the illusion of a larger diamond. The pattern has been around for so long that it is difficult to trace its exact history. However, it is believed that the pattern originated in the United States in the 19th century¹.

My unique design included large diamond pieces cut from the Island Batik Pin Dot Floral collection with the beautiful Island Batik Frosting foundation fabric used as the complimentary neutral. The intention of my original design was to create unique centerpieces for the each of the Pin Dot Floral diamonds. Each large Island Batik Pin Dot Floral diamond piece would have EPP or FPP elements while only the center Island Batik Frosting diamond would have pieced elements. The remaining Island Batik Frosting diamonds would be used as spacers. The entire Pin Dot Floral collection was used for this quilt. The idea was to emulate, in my own way, the traditional Mosaic Diamonds Quilt, composed of hexagon pieces that have been arranged in diamond shapes as shown below.

I started by cutting some basic shapes using the Accuquilt GO dies in the 8-inch Mix and Match set. So easy to use and perfect cuts every time!

Then I cut smaller EPP and FPP shapes and finally large and mid-size diamonds from the blues within the Island Batik Pin Dot Florals collection and the Frosting yardage.

When I started this quilt, I truly did not know that there was a current BOM (Block of the Month) that had started in June of 2023 for a different take on a Queen of Diamond Quilt. It was not until I started investigating the Queen of Diamond quilt history, that I saw the online content. There are lots of videos on the BOM, if you would like to investigate, just do a search.

In the midst of my EPP sewing I decided to rearrange the studio. A few months earlier, I had added a table for my new Accuquilt GO (thank you Accuquilt!!) and originally put the table in front of my design wall. That was not going to work for this project as I certainly needed access to the design wall to audition my design. So, on a Friday night after work, I assessed the possibilities and made the table move work by squeezing items in and taking some items (bins of fabric) out of the studio! Hoorah, I made the move fit!!

To contrast the gorgeous large diamonds of the Pin Dot Floral teals, I used pinks and greens. This collection coordinates so well, I was pleased with each diamond’s completion. The pieced work was completed and then fused as an applique to the diamond selected. Finally, the raw edge applique sewn using my Brother Dreamweaver’s great finishing stitch options each with a wonderful Lime, perfect Pink, or gorgeous Teal Aurifil thread. As usual, prior to starting the project, I cleaned my bobbin housing on my Brother Dreamweaver and changed the Schmetz needle.

My design wall was essential to audition the final placement of the diamonds. As the work progressed, I would switch a favorite completed diamond to a more prominent position. It was fun to allow my own personal design style to take the stage. Of course, there was much inspiration as I researched online.

During my investigation into Queen of Diamond quilts, I was sidetracked to a quilt designed by a Queen. The quilt pictured above was created by Queen Lili’uokalani when she was a prisoner at Iolani Palace in 1894. Some of the items stitched on the quilt include a silk brocade figure of the mythical phoenix, a bird said to represent good fortune; an embroidered pocket watch with Roman numerals; a helmet of the Queen’s guard uniform; and a pueo, or owl.  Our own Island Batik Ambassador, Sandra Starkey of @textiletimetravels was able to view this quilt personally on a trip to Hawaii. As the Maui fire of 2023 took place during the preparation for this quilt, I thought I should do a design curtsey to Queen Lili’uokalani.

It is not the easy to sew together a quilt of diamond shaped blocks but it did come together nicely. It is important to do a topstitch a scant 1/4 inch from the edge of each diamond to avoid stretching. Once together I added a three-inch border from the Pin Dot Floral collection. Additionally, as I had played with scraps throughout the process (my favorite stress reliever) I had some triangles/half diamonds left over that I used in the border of the quilt. I also opted to offset the border design which I love.

When all was said and done, I sent the quilt to the long-armer, Diana Holthaus, who quilted it with light teal thread and a feather motif. Oh, I just had to make a pillow with the leftover scraps!

I am in the last group to post for this blog hop with Reed Johnson of Blue Bear quilts; but do visit the other Island Batik Ambassadors listed below to see the incredible talent and gorgeous quilts!

WEEK 1

September 5

Elita Sharpe, Busy Needle Quilting

Denise Looney, For the Love of Geese

September 6

Sandra Starley, Textile Time Travels

Sarah Pitcher, Pitcher’s Boutique

September 7

Connie Kauffman, Kauffman Designs

Brenda Alburl, Songbird Designs

Preeti Harris, Sew Preeti Quilts

September 8

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 1 and Giveaway

WEEK 2

September 11

Brittany Fisher, Bobbin with Brittany

Gail Sheppard, Quilting Gail

September 12

Susan Deshensky, Lady Blue Quilt

Maryellen McAuliffe, Mary Mack Made Mine

September 13

Emily Leachman, The Darling Dogwood

Anorina Morris, Samelia’s Mum

Jennifer Thomas, Curlicue Creations

September 14

Claudia Porter, Create with Claudia

Victoria Johnson, Forever Quilting for You

September 15

Blog Hop Round-Up Week 2 and Giveaway

WEEK 3

September 18

Lana Russel, Lana Quilts

Lisa Pickering, Lisa’s Quilting Passion

September 19

Randi Jones, Randi’s Roost

Suzy Webster, Websterquilt

September 20

Mania Hatziioannidi, Mania for Quilts

Pamela Boatright, Pamela Quilts

Leah Malasky, Quilted Delights

September 21

Renee Atkinson, Pink Tulip Quilting

Reed Johnson, Blue Bear Quilts

September 22

End of Blog Hop + Final Round Up