Diatom Quilt Along {Fabric Requirements}

The Diatom quilt can be made with:

• 4 Fabrics
• A 24-piece (minimum) Fat Quarter Bundle, unifying Background yardage, and unifying Star Point yardage
• Completely Scrappy

Diatom – Star Setting Twin

For my sample Star Setting Twin size version, I opted to use the 4 Fabric option, and the pattern is written using the colorway of my sample version. During the quilt along, I will be making the Postage Stamp Throw version using a FQ bundle and unifying yardage.

Fabric Swatches and Pattern Color Key

When selecting your fabrics, keep in mind that the Diatom quilt design lends itself best to smaller scale prints; large scale prints (like the large feature prints in a Tula Pink or Kaffe Fassett collection) are not recommended.

To allow plenty of time for your fabric considerations, the first block directions will be released on January 6th, 2023. If you haven’t jointed yet, you can do so at any time by purchasing the Diatom Quilt Along. If you have joined, look for the Fabric Requirements email and click on the blue button inside the mail to download the file!

Upcoming Diatom Quilt Along Schedule

• January 6, 2023 – Block 1
• January 20, 2023 – Block 2
• February 3, 2023 – Block 3
• February 17, 2023 – Block 4
• March 3, 2023 – Block 5
• March 31, 2023 – Block 6
• April 14, 2023 – Block 7
• April 28, 2023 – Block 8
• May 12, 2023 – Block 9
• May 26, 2023 – Block 10
• June 9, 2023 – Block 12 & Finishing Instructions
• June 23, 2023 through July 31, 2023 – Final Linkup for Pieced Quilt Tops or Finished Quilts

Fabric Kits

String & Story Broderi Kit – Throw Size Mockups

Diatom Quilt Along sponsor String & Story is offering a beautiful Broderi print kit. The kit has generous yardage and will work for either the Star Setting Throw (shown above on the left) OR Postage Stamp Setting Throw (shown above on the right) version of the pattern.

String & Story Broderi Kit

Other Colorway Options

Northcott Premium ColorWorks Solids in Cloud Nine, Lapis, Royal, and After Midnight

Want to use the Northcott Fabric solids I used for my sample quilt? I have identified online shops that carry all the fabric. Note that I sourced these shops a little over a week ago, so some of them may have run out of yardage. I’m providing as many options as I can and some may sell out quickly based on demand.

The Quilt Store – Burlington, Ontario, Canada (NOTE: 1 unit = 1 Meter)

• Cloud Nine
• Lapis
• Royal
• After Midnight

Lindley General Store – Ontario, Canada (NOTE: sold in 1/2 yard increments)

• Cloud Nine
• Lapis
• Royal
• After Midnight

FabricHut67 (Etsy) – Norfolk, Virginia, USA (NOTE: sold in 1 yard increments)

• Cloud Nine
• Lapis
• Royal
• After Midnight

Fat Quarter Bundle Mockups

If you are interested in curating or using a fat quarter bundle for your version of Diatom, here are a few tips to consider when you are selecting your fabrics / bundle:

1. 24 FQs is the minimum number required. Some blocks can use F8s and therefore a FQ will be used for two blocks. To avoid repeating a print in a block, the maximum number of FQs for variety is 32.
2. Look for a variety of values in your selected fat quarter bundle. Some bundles have a lot of mid tone values or colorways that are the same color and value. To get the star blocks to shine, having a variety of light, medium, and dark values (relative to one another) will make a big difference!
3. Check out some recommended FQ bundle mockups below to help you visualize the possibilities.

Alison Glass Star Setting Throw

Mocked up using Sun Print Luminance by Alison Glass for Andover Fabrics (FQ bundle) with Century Solids in Isle (Background) and Century Solids in Aqua (Star Points)

Alison Glass Postage Stamp Twin

Mocked up using Sun Print Luminance by Alison Glass for Andover Fabrics (FQ bundle) with Century Solids in Redwood (Background) and Century Solids in Peach (Star Points)

Meander Postage Stamp Setting Throw

Mocked up using Meander by Aneela Hoey for Moda Fabrics (FQ bundle) with Moda Bella American Blue (Background) and Moda Bella Egghsell (Star Points)

Meander Star Setting Twin

Mocked up using Meander by Aneela Hoey for Moda Fabrics (FQ bundle) with Moda Bella Sienna (Background) and Moda Bella Feather (Star Points)

Tula Pink Postage Stamp Setting Throw

Mocked up using True Colors Tiny Coordinates by Tula Pink for FreeSpirit Fabrics (FQ bundle) with Tula Pink Designer Essentials Solids in Iris (Background) and Tula Pink Designer Essentials Solids in Seabreeze (Star Points)

Tula Pink Star Setting TwinMocked up using True Colors Tiny Coordinates by Tula Pink for FreeSpirit Fabrics (FQ bundle) with Tula Pink Designer Essentials Solids in Diva (Background) and Tula Pink Designer Essentials Solids in Glacier (Star Points)

What size and colorway are you planning to sew? Are you looking for something in particular that you don’t see above? If you have questions about selecting your fabrics, leave a comment and I will either email you back with suggestions or run an updated post with more colorway options depending on the number of requests I receive. Another great option is to share your fabric selections in the Quilting Jetgirl Facebook group; the group is great for providing feedback and encouragement during the quilt along!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase items through my links I will earn a very small commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link, in fact in some cases I can offer you a better price via an affiliate link. I will not recommend something that I do not use myself. These commissions help me keep being able to provide you with great content. Thank you, in advance, for your support!