Diatom Quilt Along (2022-2023)

The Diatom quilt along is a great skill builder star sampler pattern. The pattern is comprised of twelve fun star blocks and they are made using combinations of standard piecing techniques and half-square triangles, hourglass blocks, flying geese, square-in-a-square blocks, and stitch and flip blocks. There will be no paper piecing, appliqué, or advanced sewing techniques (such as Y seams).

I used Northcott Premium ColorWorks Solids in Cloud Nine (lightest), Lapis, Royal, and After Midnight (darkest) to test the 4 Fabric Star Setting Twin size version of the quilt (shown above). You know I’m a sucker for all the blues, and after several quilts this year in warmer color palettes, it was a joy to work with my favorite color to test out the Diatom quilt along pattern.

In addition, the Diatom pattern is written to use a fat quarter bundle (with 24 or more FQs in the bundle) for the star blocks along with coordinating background and star point yardage. A few fun options are illustrated above.

For the Diatom quilt along, you will have two setting options and two size options to choose from for a total of four options:

• Star Setting Throw (54″ x 72″) (no curves)
• Star Setting Twin (72″ x 96″) (no curves)
• Postage Stamp Setting Throw (54″ x 72″) (3″ finished curved piecing)
• Postage Stamp Setting Twin (72″ x 96″) (6″ finished curved piecing)

I am really excited about how versatile this 89 page star sampler pattern is; there are so many wonderful options for you to consider and explore! Not interested in making such a large quilt? How about making all 12 blocks but making a double sided quilt? 6 throw blocks will make a 36″ x 54″ quilt and 6 twin blocks will make a 48″ x 72″ quilt, prior to any borders you may want to add.

By participating in the Diatom quilt along, I believe you will be receiving a versatile pattern that is more like a book than a quilt pattern. My hope is that you will come back to the pattern again and again to try another variation; I know I’m excited to be making my second version during the quilt along!

To participate, I will be asking quilters to purchase the Diatom quilt along pattern, which I will release in sections as the quilt along progresses, and all Quilting Jetgirl Patrons will be included in the quilt along for free as the yearly quilt pattern reward. Note that when you purchase the pattern you will not receive the pattern and you will be giving me permission to add you to my newsletter* so that you can receive the instructions during the quilt along. The pattern will be released mystery quilt style in sections on the dates listed in the schedule below, even though you will be able to see the full design before deciding if you want to participate in the quilt along. *Note that you will also receive my monthly newsletter and other occasional emails during the quilt along as part of my newsletter list.

The beginning of the quilt along schedule is very relaxed to account for the upcoming holidays. In 2023, the quilt along will settle into a 2-week pace with just over a full month for the final finishing and any catch up.

Diatom Quilt Along Schedule

• November 14, 2022 – Signups Open
• December 1, 2022 – Fabric Requirements
• 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 17, 2023 – Block 6
• March 31, 2023 – Block 7
• April 14, 2023 – Block 8
• April 28, 2023 – Block 9
• May 12, 2023 – Block 10
• May 26, 2023 – Block 11
• June 9, 2023 – Block 12 & Finishing Instructions
• June 23, 2023 through July 31, 2023 – Final Linkup for Pieced Quilt Tops or Finished Quilts

Diatoms are unicellular organisms and they are either solitary cells or colonies. Diatom colonies can take the shape of ribbons, fans, zigzags, or stars. Living diatoms make up a significant portion of the Earth’s biomass and they generate a large percentage of the oxygen produced on the planet each year. The Diatom quilt is a collection (or colony, if you will) of star blocks.

The Diatom quilt pattern can either use 4 fabrics OR a fat quarter bundle (with 24 or more FQs) with supporting background and star point yardage. The fabric requirements will include coloring pages for each quilt setting and size. The instructions for each block will also have individual fabric requirements in case you would prefer to make your version even more scrappy.

Diatom Quilt Along FAQs

Q: What is the complexity level?
A: The Diatom quilt along is a great skill builder pattern. The pattern is comprised of twelve fun star blocks and they are made using combinations of standard piecing techniques and half-square triangles, hourglass blocks, flying geese, square-in-a-square blocks, and stitch and flip blocks. There will be no paper piecing, appliqué, or advanced sewing techniques (such as Y seams).

The pattern is written at a confident beginner (Star Setting Throw, Star Setting Twin, and Postage Stamp Twin) or intermediate level (Postage Stamp Throw). The Postage Stamp setting layouts require sewing drunkard’s path curves, and the reason I suggest the Postage Stamp Throw is at an intermediate level is due to smaller 3″ finished drunkard’s path blocks (the twin uses 6″ finished which are larger and more confident beginner friendly).

Q: What will I receive when I sign up for the Diatom quilt along and on each of the quilt along dates?
A: By purchasing the Diatom Quilt Along, you are agreeing to be added to my newsletter email list. The Diatom quilt pattern will be released in sections as the quilt along progresses, so when you purchase the pattern you will not receive the pattern and you will be giving me permission to add you to my newsletter* so that you can receive the instructions during the quilt along. The pattern will be released mystery quilt style in sections on the dates listed in the schedule. *Note that you will also receive my monthly newsletter and other occasional emails during the quilt along as part of my newsletter list.

When you sign up for the Diatom quilt along, you will immediately receive access to the Diatom Quilt Along Introduction PDF which includes illustrations of all the different quilt setting, size, and fabric options.

On December 1st, you will receive an email from newsletter@quiltingjetgirl.com with the fabric requirements – the first 16 pages of the Diatom quilt pattern PDF. Included in the Fabric requirements PDF are coloring pages of all the layouts, curve template pages (if you opt to make either of the Postage Stamp Setting versions), and of course the fabric requirements themselves. In addition, there will be many additional colorways to inspire you and kits available for purchase.

Then, beginning on January 6th and repeating every 2 weeks per the schedule, you will receive a 4-5 page PDF for every block via an email from newsletter@quiltingjetgirl.com. On June 9th, the final Diatom Block 12 PDF will be 6 pages long and will include quilt assembly and finishing instructions.

In addition, the email with the link for each new PDF segment of the pattern will include my top tips, tricks, and links to content to help you confidently make your version of the Diatom quilt.

Q: Where can I share my progress and ask questions during the quilt along?
A: You have several options to share your progress and interact with other quilters during the quilt along. The best way will be to join the Quilting Jetgirl Facebook group, where you can share your fabric selections and progress photos and support one another throughout the quilt along. You can also share all progress photos via Instagram: be sure use the official quilt along hashtag #DiatomQuiltAlong and follow the hashtag so you can keep up with everyone who is participating.

If at any point you have a question during the quilt along, the best way to reach me is via email. You can simply reply to any of the emails you receive during the quilt along or you can email me at yvonne@quiltingjetgirl.com.

If you have additional questions about the quilt along, please leave a comment or send me an email. I’ll be making the Postage Stamp Throw version during the quilt along, and I’d love to have you join me!

Diatom Quilt Along Sponsors

All quilt along participants who link up a photo of their pieced quilt top or finished quilt during the final linkup are entered to win prizes from the Diatom Quilt Along Sponsors. The winners will be selected using a random number generator and notified by August 3rd. Winners who need to provide additional information (such as their mailing address) will have 48 hours to respond to the notification email or a new winner may be selected.

Cheryl from Meadow Mist Designs is offering 2 winners a coupon code good for any 2 digital quilt patterns in her Meadow Mist Designs pattern shop.

BackSide Fabrics, my favorite source for wide quilt backings, is offering 1 winner a $50 coupon code.

Aurifil is offering 3 winners a 3 large spool Flora Color Builder Set in Spider Lily, Bird of Paradise, and Jade Vine.

String & Story is offering 1 winner a seat in next fall’s Free Motion Quilting Academy.

Fat Quarter Shop is offering 1 winner a $100 gift certificate.