Jewel and Diamond Paper Pieces Buying Guide for EPP

Quick answer

For most English paper piecing projects that mix jewels and diamonds, start with the 7/8 inch jewel paper pieces for small accents and the 2 inch half 6 point diamonds for rosette-style blocks. If you plan a larger quilt, step up to the 4 inch quarter 6 point diamonds and buy acrylic templates alongside your papers. Match the seam option to your basting method and pack size to your yardage plan.

How jewel and diamond shapes work together

Jewels and diamonds are both angled shapes that create star and rosette effects in English paper piecing. A jewel is a four-sided shape with two long sides and two short sides, while a 6 point diamond is a rhombus with equal sides and 60-degree and 120-degree angles. These angles let diamonds radiate around a center point, and jewels fill the gaps between diamond points or create their own repeating pattern. Before you buy, sketch your block on graph paper or lay out a few paper pieces by hand to confirm the shapes interlock the way you expect. If you are substituting one shape for another, check that the side lengths match: a 7/8 inch jewel will not align with a 2 inch diamond without a deliberate design change. For curved or shaped edges, remember that paper pieces are basted and then joined along straight edges, so the shape's geometry determines how seams meet.

Choosing sizes: 7/8 inch jewels vs 2 inch and 4 inch diamonds

Size changes both the scale of your finished quilt and the number of pieces you need. The 7/8 inch jewel is a small piece, useful for delicate borders, miniature quilts, or accent rings. The 2 inch half 6 point diamond is a mid-size shape that works well for rosettes and medallion blocks. The 4 inch quarter 6 point diamond is a large piece that covers ground quickly, making it a good choice for bed quilts or bold geometric designs. When you mix sizes, keep the seam allowance consistent across all pieces. A 1/4 inch seam is the standard for most EPP projects, but if you prefer a wider turn-under, choose 3/8 inch. Windowed options let you center fussy cuts without marking the paper. If you are unsure, buy a small pack first and test the shape with your fabric before committing to a bulk pack. Note that the 4 inch quarter 6 point diamond is sold as papers and acrylics separately, so you will need to add both to your cart if you want templates.

Pack sizes and seam options: what to buy for your project

Pack size should follow your project area. A small pack of 80 pieces suits a mug rug, a cushion, or a test block. A large pack of 480 pieces covers a lap quilt or several small projects. A bulk pack of 960 pieces is for a full-size quilt or when you want to keep a steady supply on hand. Seam options change how you baste and how the finished piece feels. The 1/4 inch seam is the most common and works with standard basting methods. The 3/8 inch seam gives more fabric to turn under, which can be helpful with thicker fabrics or when you want a more forgiving edge. No seam pieces are for glue basting or for use as acrylic templates only. Windowed pieces have a cutout that helps you center a motif or fussy cut without drawing on the paper. For the 7/8 inch jewel, papers and acrylic templates are sold separately, so decide whether you need both before ordering. If you are new to EPP, start with a small pack in 1/4 inch seam and add a windowed set later for fussy cutting.

Acrylic templates vs paper pieces: when to buy both

Paper pieces are the foundation of EPP: you baste fabric around them and sew the shapes together. Acrylic templates are reusable and let you cut fabric accurately without basting around paper, which is faster for repeated shapes. They also help you fussy cut consistently. For the 7/8 inch jewel and the 4 inch quarter 6 point diamond, the product listings note that papers and acrylic templates are sold separately, so you can choose one or both. Buy acrylic templates if you plan to cut many identical shapes, if you want to preview placement on fabric, or if you prefer glue basting. Buy paper pieces if you want the traditional basted method, if you are working on a small project, or if you want the papers to stay in until the quilt top is assembled. Many quilters keep both on hand: acrylics for cutting and papers for basting. If you are buying for a specific pattern, check the pattern's requirements first. For example, Antique Garden by Paper Pieces uses Grandmother's Flower Garden rosettes, a light hexagon path, and background connecting units, so it calls for hexagons and connecting shapes rather than jewels or diamonds. That pattern is a good reminder to match your purchase to the actual pattern pieces you need.

Decision rules for buying jewel and diamond paper pieces

• Match shape to pattern: Confirm the exact shape and size your pattern requires. Jewels and diamonds are not interchangeable with hexagons or squares without a design change. If your pattern calls for hexagons, buy hexagons.
• Choose seam option by basting method: Use 1/4 inch seam for standard thread basting, 3/8 inch for more turn-under, no seam for glue basting or acrylic templates, and windowed for fussy cutting. When in doubt, start with 1/4 inch seam.
• Size pack to project area: Small pack (80) for small projects, large pack (480) for lap quilts, bulk pack (960) for full-size quilts. Buy a small pack first to test the shape. Calculate pieces per block, then multiply by block count.
• Decide on acrylic templates: Buy acrylics if you cut many identical shapes, want to fussy cut, or prefer glue basting. Buy papers if you want traditional basting or are making a small project. For repeated shapes, acrylics save time; for one-off projects, papers are enough.

Product facts

• 2" Half 6 Point Diamonds: 2" Half 6 Point Diamonds are paper and acrylic pieces for English paper piecing, offered in small (80), large (480), and bulk (960) packs with seam options including 1/4", 3/8", no seam, and windowed. You can match pack size to project scale and choose a seam option that fits your basting method.
• 7/8" Jewel: 7/8" Jewel is sold as Paper Pieces and acrylic templates separately, with quantities and descriptions selected via production options. You must decide whether you need papers, acrylics, or both, and select the correct option before adding to cart.
• 4" Quarter 6 Point Diamonds: 4" Quarter 6 Point Diamonds are available as papers and acrylics sold separately, with quantities and descriptions selected via product options. For large diamond projects, you can buy only what you need, but you will need to add both papers and templates if you want both.
• Antique Garden by Paper Pieces®: Antique Garden by Paper Pieces is a top-selling pattern made of Grandmother's Flower Garden rosettes, a light hexagon path, and coordinating background connecting units. This pattern uses hexagons and connecting units, not jewels or diamonds, so it is a good reference for checking shape compatibility before buying.

Who should buy these shapes

Best for

• Quilters making jewel-and-diamond star or rosette blocks
• EPP enthusiasts who want to fussy cut with windowed pieces
• Quilters scaling from small projects to full-size quilts

Not for

• Quilters following a hexagon-only pattern like Antique Garden
• Those who need pre-cut fabric kits rather than paper pieces
• Beginners who have not yet tested a small pack of the shape