Frequently Asked Questions

What advice do you have for choosing fabrics for Double Diamonds?
Can I launder Double Diamonds?
What brand of rotary cutter should I use?
Is it okay that my rotary blade doesn't cut all the way to the end of the slots?
Can I use a different size rotary cutter than what is recommended?
Is there any way to make the diamond width more precise?

What advice do you have for choosing fabrics for Double Diamonds?
Choose three fabrics: the Main fabric, the Contrast fabric, and the Background fabric. Solid fabrics (or fabrics that read as solids) work really well, although small prints produce interesting effects too. Avoid large prints because they don't usually show off the diamonds very well.


Choose light, medium, and/or dark fabrics with good contrast. Ombre fabrics (which gradate from light to dark) are particularly pleasing as Background Fabrics.

You can change your mind about which fabric is the Main fabric and which is the Contrast fabric, even after you've fused those two fabrics together. Fold down the diamonds on one side and see if you like it. Then fold down the diamonds the other way. Which combination do you like best? The same thing applies to choosing the Background fabric. Wait until the Double Diamond piece is made then audition several fabrics. Simply place your Double Diamond piece on top of a variety of fabrics, then choose.

Can I launder Double Diamonds?
Yes. The results are similar to those of raw-edge appliqué. Results vary depending on the quality of fabric used and the fusible web chosen. We recommend Heat'n Bond Lite™. If you are concerned about fraying, use a product like Fray Check™ around the raw edges. Be sure to use quality fabrics for the best results, not the cheap stuff. Use the gentle cycle on your washing machine.

What brand of rotary cutter should I use?
Olfa's original rotary cutters work very well with the Double Diamond Rulers™. Their blade guards do not get in the way during cutting. The Olfa 45-mm Rotary Cutter is recommended.

Is it okay that my rotary blade doesn't cut all the way to the end of the slots?
Yes. The rulers were engineered that way to accommodate the diameter of the rotary blade. The Olfa 45-mm Rotary Cutter is recommended. It has a blade the size of an Oreo™ cookie! The Olfa 60-mm Rotary Cutter works well also.

Can I use a different size rotary cutter than what is recommended?
Yes. However, the width of the diamonds may vary. That's usually not a problem as long as all the diamonds are cut consistently. Avoid using rotary cutters that have blade covers that get in the way when you're rotary cutting down the slot.

Is there any way to make the diamond width more precise?
Yes. Let's start with the Double Diamond Ruler™ 3.5. It makes 3-1/2" wide diamonds. Mark a chalk line 1-3/4" from the folded edge of the fused piece. Mark another chalk line 1" from the folded edge. These are the lines where the blade of the rotary cutter should stop cutting. Notice on the ruler that the slots extend beyond these lines. This is to accommodate the diameter of the blade. For the best results, use a 45 mm or 60-mm rotary cutter. After rotary cutting, check to see if the cuts on your fused piece stop at the appropriate marked line. The long cut should stop at the 1-3/4" chalked line and the short cut should stop at the 1" line. If the cuts didn't go quite far enough, carefully snip the rest of the way using small sharp scissors. If the cut goes past the chalked line, use a larger rotary cutter. Slight adjustments can also be made during the folding stage. Fold the diamond back only as far as the chalked lines to keep the widths consistent.

For the Double Diamond Ruler™ 1.5, chalk your lines at 3/4" and 3/8" and repeat the steps above.