UPDATED NOTE 3/10/2021: The OLFA website has changed and no longer shares this tutorial. I will be releasing (and linking) to an updated tutorial hosted on my own website soon.
UPDATED NOTE 4/5/2021: Get the Diffraction Block Tutorial here starting today!
I was honored when OLFA reached out to me at the end of 2017 to apply to be a part of the inaugural year of the OLFA Design Team, and in early January 2018, I was thrilled to discover I was indeed a part of the 2018 OLFA Design Team. Partnering with OLFA was a really easy decision for me to make: I have used their self-healing mats and rotary cutters since I began quilting in 1995. As part of the Design Team, I have had the opportunity to try the new products they have released this year and offer giveaways to you all, too (60mm Endurance Blade, OLFA sponsorship of Tips and Tutorials Festival).
Diffraction Quilt Block Tutorial
I am one of the two featured designers for the month of October, and today I am excited to share a free tutorial that features the awesome angles that are included on the OLFA rulers (specifically the 6″ x 24″ ruler and 12 1/2″ square ruler). You can find an interview with me and the Diffraction Quilt Block (with bonus yardage requirements to make a 40″ square quilt) today on the OLFA Craft Blog.
June Patreon Mini Mini Quilts – Navy and White
Does the Diffraction Block look familiar to you? It was inspired by the improvisational Navy and White June Patreon mini mini quilt I created! I thought the mini mini quilt was striking, and I immediately began exploring what a full quilt design of blocks might look like:
Design Evolution
I really loved this block, but the challenge became: can I traditionally piece this block? And if I do, is the process repeatable enough to have the blocks join together crisply?
OLFA Rulers
Using the angles on the OLFA 6″ x 24″ ruler in combination with the OLFA 12 1/2″ square ruler (and after lots of trial and error, testing, refining of the steps, a thorough review by Cheryl from Meadow Mist Designs, and creating a quilt), I am confident the answer is yes!
See Right Through Me
See Right Through Me is the result of the exploration of the Diffraction Block. It is also my entry to the 2-color challenge for QuiltCon. My submitted description for the quilt is:
Inspired by an improv mini quilt I made in June 2018, I wanted to challenge myself to expand the idea and achieve greater piecing precision. The solid, two color, high contrast palette strips down the design and all the details of the quilt are easier to see. Cropping the design, I hoped to achieve a sense of intimacy with a viewer; making them feel drawn in. By inviting such close inspection, I feel very vulnerable, represented by the inverted X-ray block.
Pieced using traditional piecing methods (not paper pieced).
See Right Through Me – Detail
I used Kona Cotton in Nightfall and White and coordinating 50wt Aurifil thread #2784 (Dark Navy) and #2024 (White).
See Right Through Me – Detail
I also stuck with the original mini mini quilt’s quilting as an inspiration / jumping off point, using ribbon candy between the rays of the Diffraction Block. To help emphasize the central “X” shape that is created, I quilted vertical lines to help separate the shape. Echo quilting in the corners helped fan out the design. But most importantly, I quilted around each “ray” line to stabilize the quilt as a first step, which was also very beneficial for tackling the bulky corners where 3 blocks join together.
See Right Through Me
With the number of photographs in this blog post, you might be catching on to the fact that I am a bit smitten with this quilt. I took See Right Through Me to Vasquez Rocks for a photo shoot a few weeks ago. I like how this view of the full quilt also shows off the quilting.
See Right Through Me
See Right Through Me finished at 40 inches square after quilting and binding.
See Right Through Me
And I like how the Kona Nightfall glows in the sunlight and reads like a brighter blue. Gorgeous!
Giveaway!
OLFA is generously giving away a 6″ x 24″ ruler and 12 1/2″ square ruler set to one lucky winner. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter to win. Note that the winner must have a mailing address in the US or Canada to be eligible. By entering, you acknowledge that you are 18 or older. The giveaway is open through Friday, October 5th, at 9pm Eastern and the winner will have 48 hours to respond via email to claim their prize or a new winner will be selected. Good luck!
P.s. Don’t forget to visit the OLFA Craft Blog for my interview and the Diffraction Block tutorial!
P.p.s. Linking up with TGIFF and Finish It Friday.
This is such an innovative block and great use the of ruler! Your method of trimming after each addition makes the block come together easily and accurately.
This is one of the most intriguing quilts I’ve seen. I may try it.
I really love your block and finished quilt, but i’m Also really struck by some of the mockups in your design evolution. One of the hardest things to me is knowing when to keep going or when to stop! This looks like a fun one, and i’ll be adding it to my impossibly long “things I want to make” list! Thanks!
Would love to try it!!
I loved your mini quilt and I absolutely adore this quilt! The light diffraction in the bottom left looks a bit like a spider, but not in a bad way and with Halloween coming up… well, there’s always room for a spider motif somewhere. The quilting looks fantastic as well. Good luck with it at Quiltcon!
Love the quilt. My grandson would love the spider look.
I love the mini quilt. I also love olfa square up ruler. I use it a lot. I have had the 6×24 for years. I love all the time you put toward your bloggers and appreciate it.
The mini quilt is so cute. I would like to make one.
What a cool quilt. Two color quilts are always so striking!
I’d love to try one of these blocks. Would be a great Red and White quilt.
I love the crisp blue and white colors you chose and would like to create a block just like yours.
Oh yes – I will certainly try. You sure know how to make that blue and white SPARKLE! WOW.
Love your project, it’s very unique!
It’s such a stunning quilt enhanced by the wonderful quilting. Wonderful design and a great tutorial, thank you.
I love the stark contrast. Unfortunately my seam allowance is not consistent enough to make this as a traditionally pieced block. I would need a paper piecing pattern. Thank you and Olfa for the chance to win great prizes.
Your Diffraction Block is amazing! I would try to make a quilt with it. It would be a perfect pattern to get lost in on a cold, snowy winter day when I would want to stay in the house. Thanks!
Yvonne, this is a stunner. The simplicity of two colors and the piecing are beautiful.
Thank you for the detailed tutorial. I assumed, at first glance, that this block was paper pieced. I’d love to give it a try. It’s an amazing work of art. Thanks for sharing.
wow. The block is striking yes, but combined with others it really is something special. Very nice!
You knocked it out of the park Yvonne. Absolutely love it! It reminds me of spiders and of course your piecing and quilting are great!
A striking block, but the quilt is stunning! My first thought would have been paper piecing when you said it was all pieced. I am sure it must have taken a few tries to get it right.
What an innovative quilt! Absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing the tutorial!
This is a stunning block and quilt, and–oh, happy day–it’s NOT paper pieces! that makes it doable for me, as I hate removing the papers.
Congratulations on being part of the Olfa design team: you are doing them proud!
I’d love these to use in my charity quilting.
Thanks Peggy
Peggy_verdongibbs@att.net
Yvonne…this is amazing, stunning actually! From a distance the design reminds me of spiders. However it’s easy to look past that and see a beautiful design! Congrats and thank you and Olfa for a fabulous giveaway!
I love this block and colour combinations are running through my head. I plan to make it. I just don’t know when. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thank you so much for the intriguing block. I especially like the quilt. I would love to try making it.
I immediately fell in love with this quilt. I would love to try it!
Love the block and may try to make it,
This is lovely! I have found that I am recently drawn to 2-color quit designs and this one is beautiful. I struggle with angles, so this one is probably not going on my to-make list, I’ll just admire yours!
So neat that you were able to make it work. I love the finished quilt and seeing your design evolve.
Wow, it’s amazing!! I especially love how that one block is color-reversed …
This quilt is so eye catching. I’m headed to the Olfa blog to get the directions. There’s a former Navy man in our family who I think would love to have one. And I love those Olfa Frosted rulers. I want one in a 24 x 8 1/2 size. Now to convince them to manufacture one…
I’m reading your blogs on reverse order today . So now ive read this after the newest one , if you know what I mean . This is wonderful . It is so crisp and your seams and joins are so precise . And as before , I love how you bring science and “craft” together
Oh it’s amazing and gorgeous, but SO not me! I can’t do precision, so I wouldn’t attempt a pattern that would highlight my flaws. Perhaps in the future when I am more skilled at cutting, stitching, and piecing!
Hi Happy! Wash and dry your fabric, then use regular spray starch or Betty’s Best Press to iron and stiffen the heck out of it! A nice crisp fabric makes accurate cutting much easier. And if it’s cut straight, it will be easier to stitch straight. Give it a try with scraps; you might surprise yourself!
p.s. I’d go with Best Press if I were you – it works great and doesn’t gunk up your iron and ironing board like regular starch.
You piece is very unique. Dark blue and white is one of my favorite color combinations.
I love your block! All those straight lines… I think I’m going to try it, we shall see how it goes, when I do I will post pictures!
Yes, I want to make the diffraction block.
I love this block. I think it’s challenging but I would try it. Thanks!
Several images come to mind when I see this pattern but first is lightening. I live just west of Tampa, FL which is the lightening capital of our nation and in the top 3 worldwide. The main hospital in Tampa has a burn unit specializing in lightening burns and it’s traumatic lifelong effects. I will make this using the colors within a strike. We have had a very old tree killed by multiple strikes. The tree was very close to my son’s bedroom window and 3 weeks ago it hit our street just next door and shattered large water pipes. We had to boil all our water for a week. Yes, this is lightening to me. Maybe I’ll donate my quilt to the Tampa General Hospital burn unit. ⚡
quiltyladyrr@gmail.com
Where two blocks come together, I see a spider. This would ne an excellent Halloween quilt to try!
This quilt is so striking and I really loved seeing your design evolution. Thanks for always sharing about your process.
You are so talented and a true visionary. Huge admiration, congrats
Love this block! I love how many potential arrangements it lends itself to.
Your quilt is incredibly striking! Crisp, clean blue and white – beautiful.
This is definitely on my list of quilts to make. Gorgeous!!
I love this block. But I especially appreciate you sharing your design process and thoughts. It nbn is really inspirational.
I don’t know if I can make this one but it sure is cool! Thanks
I love how crisp and clear it looks! Maybe I’ll give it a try.
Thank you for this! Such crisp lines! You e inspired me to try!!