Cutting 45-degree diamonds from strips

 

45-degree triangles are most often used when you want to create a diamond shape in a quilt. Cutting them from strips makes them so much easier!

To accommodate the seam allowance, cut the fabric strip as wide as the finished width of the diamond + ½” for the seam allowance. As example, for a 3 ½” wide diamond, cut the fabric strip 4” wide.

Tools: 18”x24” cutting mat (RM-SG) or 24”x36” cutting mat (RM-MG); 45mm rotary cutter (RTY-2/NS); 6”x24” rectangular ruler ((QR-6x24); 6”x12” rectangular ruler (QR-6x12)

  1. Square your fabric and cut a strip.
  2. Turn the strip horizontally on your cutting mat and square the end.
  3. Place the ruler on the strip, aligning the 45° line on your ruler along the horizonal edge of your strip. You may need a longer 6”x24” ruler to accomplish this. 
  4. Cut along the ruler edge from the bottom of the strip to the top. Save the cut off piece for scraps.
  5. Align the 45° line on your ruler along the horizonal edge of your strip.
  6. Move the ruler over until you have the measurement the same as the strip size you cut previously.
  7. Cut along the ruler edge from the bottom to the top, making a parallel cut.
  8. Continue moving the ruler along the strip until you have the number of diamonds you need.