Wow! We are over halfway through the blog hop and the inspiration keeps on coming! Even though I designed and made all of the quilts from Piece and Quilt with Precuts, there are so many that I want to remake after seeing the beautiful color combinations my friends are making!
Today’s featured quilt is Twinkling Diamonds, made from some beautiful Alison Glass fabric.
Twinkling Diamonds Photography courtesy of Martingale/That Patchwork Place and Brent Kane.
Piece It
Twinkling Diamonds is made from fat quarters of colorful prints and fat eights of contrasting light fabrics, plus a dark background. The method I use teaches you to trim off the edges to get the nice crisp diamond points and the best part is, all of the leftovers can get turned into the S.W.A.K quilt featured a bit earlier in the book. (Click here for the blog post about S.W.A.K.)
I chose bright saturated prints and a dark navy background it so that it looks like diamonds twinkling in the sky. However, this quilt would look just as great with a lighter background, and softer, less intense prints.
I quilted the background using “jagged stipple” one of my favorite new motifs!
Quilt It
I know that all of that negative space can be a bit intimidating to quilt, but here’s my tip: choose an interesting free-motion design. and meander your way around the blocks to add some texture to the quilt.
I quilted irregular wavy lines in the bright section of the blocks and “cursive L’s” in the white areas. Each quilt includes step by step instructions plus a detailed quilting plan so you can follow along and get the same look!
I quilted all of the quilts in the book using my Aurifil thread collection – it’s my favorite!
More Twinkling Diamonds inspiration
Check out more beautiful ways to make Twinkling Diamonds blocks, and be on the lookout for who’s including a giveaway on their stop!!
Anjeanette Klinder
Take a look at what Anjeanette decided to do for her version of Twinkling Diamonds. Don’t you love how she fussy cut the centers??
And who says you can’t mix hand and machine quilting in the same quilt! I think she did such a beautiful hob. Be sure to see more inspiring pics and read more about how she made it her own, over on her blog.
Jessica Caldwell – Desert Bloom Quilting
Don’t you love Jessica’s stunning color combination? I love how orange can be a neutral – don’t you? She picked out a gorgeous selection of Aurifil threads that she plans to quilt with so I’ll be keeping an eye on her blog to see how it turns out!
Head over to her blog for more pretty in-progress pics!
Jessee Maloney: Art School Dropout
I’m a sucker for turquoise and gray, and I love how Jesse shows that either solids or prints will work for the diamond centers. Notice how she added extra fabric around each block? Pop on over to her blog to read more about what she plans to do with these beauties!!
Here’s a tip – if you are just getting started with machine quilting, just make a block or two and practice quilting it. Then turn that block into a pillow, wallhanging, or one block mini. It’s also a great way to give a hand made gift that won’t take too long to create!
Today’s Gift – Win My Aurifil Thread
Today’s giveaway is super exciting. If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you’ll know how much I love piecing and quilting with Aurifil 50 weight cotton thread. I love being able to use one type of thread for everything I do, and then stocking up on ALL the colors!
It was fun to work with Aurifil on a thread collection that includes all of the basic colors I use. Together, we decided to include two groups in the collection – colors and neutrals. All of the quilts in the book were pieced and quilted using my Piece and Quilt Collection, and I included exactly which threads I used AND how much for each quilt in the book!
Click here to see which threads are included in my Aurifil thread collection.
Two lucky winners will win my thread, generously sponsored by Aurifil – one winner for each thread kit. Pop on over to Aurifil’s blog to enter, and good luck!!!
Christa Quilts 
I’ve loved everything I’ve seen from this book and as recent Aurifil convert, am coveting every thread!
I really like this design of most of the patterns in the book. Aurifil thread is great and usually difficult for me to find in my area. I’d love to get a book of various colors! Thank you!
Lovely thread collection. Thanks for all these sweet giveaways!
I want to try my hand at using my embroidery unit to quilt. Since I just found out you can embroider with Aurifil 50 wt – I can’t wait to try it!
i love all the straight line quilting i’ve seen on your quilts
Love Aurifil! Wish I had more. Thanks, love your techniques & new patterns to use precuts.
What a treat to see the beautiful fabric combinations. They all really sparkle!!!
I have the perfect FQ set for this quilt – can’t wait to make it up!
This may be my favorite block from your book! Love all the versions shown here. Amazing how blocks can change personality with the use of such diverse fabrics. Wonderful!
Love this block! It has so much potential for a variety of looks.
Love seeing the quilts with all the different examples. I am new to free motion quilting but I love a good stipple. I get going and it is like being on a carnival ride. I love it!
Love this quilt and the quilting on it! It reminds me of the starlit sky.
Thanks for gorgeous work and a generous giveaway!
This has been great to see all the ways different people are doing all the quilts.
I LOVE Aurifil thread, both the neutrals and the colors! Would enjoy winning this!
I DO like this design! I bought the Kindle version of the book last night. I couldn’t wait!
I enjoy seeing what fabrics/colors others use to make the same pattern
Again, Christa, it’s fascinating to see how versatile your patterns are!… Everyone has been able to make a wonderful version of your creation, that reflects their own personal colors/styles!
(I love the colorful closeup pictures of your own version of Twinkling Diamonds, Christa!)
Pat T.
Reminds me of twinkling diamonds, and they are our best friends. Nice job.
Thanks Christa, your blog always has great tips & inspiring ideas! Dee
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what lovely colors. these quilts are wonderful.
This is a wonderful giveaway!
I love all of the gorgeous colors! Loving following your blog!
So appreciate Christa’s work. She is a workhorse. I did sign up for her class. She is a good teacher and I learned a lot.
The inspiration is awesome!
All of the quilts have been amazing so far. Love the different color combinations being shared.
I entered over on Aurifil but great quilt.
All these quilts look great! Congrats!
🙂