Last Saturday Dawn and I took a kaleidoscope quilt class together. I have 15 of my 30 blocks finished and since it may be a while until I get to the other 15, I wanted to share this part with you.

It is absolutely fascinating to me that you can make so many different blocks out of the same fabric!! (I have a small mind--it does not take a lot to fascinate me :lol: )

I placed my blocks on black fabric for a better contrast. The pink on the left is a fabric I am thinking about incorporating into the border. The floral on the far left is the fabric that all of these blocks are made from!

Gorgeous!!!!

I want to have one like that!! Isn't it amazing that so many different looks can be acheived with just one fabric. Keep up the good work.

That is absolutely stunning! I love the colors and am amazed that all of the designs came from one floral print! :)

It's so pretty! I can't wait to try one, I've got the 1 fabric and the template. Don't know what I'm waiting for LOL.... I may get inspired by looking at yours :lol:

Great job!

marcia, that's awesome!!! i've never done one although I bought a quilt kit for one about 3 years ago :oops: :oops: :wink: !!

Wow -- that's beautiful!! Can't wait to see it finished!

WOW... they loooookkkkkk FABULOUS!!!! You have done a GREAT job... I agree with your choices for possible borders!

Ok, I am in love with kaleidoscope quilts. I really need to try one someday. Yours are awesome.

Does anyone know if there is a free pattern online?

That is stunning ! Great job :lol: Was it very hard ?
Sharon

It is not a pattern, per se. It is a technique. You have to have 8 repeats of your fabric, cut and stack them perfectly on top of one another, use a triangle ruler to cut the wedges and then you sew them together.

I bought the book Kaleidoscope ABCs by Marti Michell, http://www.frommarti.com/KABCs.html But, I also took a class. I could have NEVER read the book and figured it out!!! The class was really fun because you got to see everyone else's blocks from their fabrics. So many fabrics.....so many possibilities.

Thanks everyone!! I would encourage anyone who wants to make one to give it a try. It is SOOO much fun to get out the mirrors and start moving them around on the fabric to see what your blocks may look like. I am hooked now!!

We need to encourage Dawn to post a picture of her blocks too!!

COME ON DAWN---SHOW US YOUR BLOCKS :D

That is beautiful!!!!

Kyia

Wow, they are soooooo beautiful. I would like to try it.

Can I ask you some beginner-questions??
How big is the block and how big is one triangle template?
I think you are going to applique each block, and then how do you stablize the applique? Are you quiting onto the appliques?

I think it would be cute to go with some oriental prints I have.

Panda

Awesome

BEAUTIFUL!!

Marcia, I think the choice of fabric is fantastic for this effect, is a stunner, or will be when you finish it up, please don't take too long I can't wait to see more, can I come and play at your house tomorrow???? :lol: :lol: :lol:

Very nice!! :)

Panda--I am happy to answer questions for you. There is a special ruler that you can buy that makes this block a lot easier to make. It is a kaleidoscope ruler and it looks like this http://www.frommarti.com/mm5/merchan...ategory_Code=R

The blocks can be from 6 to 16" across, depending on how wide you decide to make them and how many you want to get out of your fabric. The triangles are cut at a 45 degree angle. There are 8 of them in each block.

The blocks will not be appliqued onto the black fabric. I will use another side of the ruler to cut triangles to sew in the corners to square up the blocks. I hope this answers your questions.

Your oriental prints would be a lovely fabric choice.

Izy--I would LOVE to have you come play tomorrow. I will leave a trail of fabric scraps from the Atlanta airport so you can find my house. :lol: :lol:

I even have a nice selection of teas so we can have a tea party in the afternoon.

That is GORGEOUS Marcia!!!!! I guess I have a small mind too because I am fascinated by it too!!!! :D Cant wait to see more of this one!!!!

I put my version on my free teaching site http://www.bitsnpiecesworkshop.com
I like to make mine in a dresden plate shape but if you want to do the triangle just cut off the rounded end of the template. There is a template you can copy. It's all free.

Marcia I love your quilt! Aren't kaleidoscopes addictive?? I love them too. I used to do them and have just recently started making more again. They are so fun to make.
Love your colors. That fabric is so perfect for k's I looked for something similar but haven't found exactly what I had in mind.
One of my favorite fabrics had a lot of green leaves on it. It worked up real nice.
Love to see the next 15 blocks!

Marcia, your blocks are terriffic! And you chose such gorgeous fabric! I did a stack n whack once that is similar and it was great fun. It's one of my WIP.

Oughta be a law against a quilt looking that good!!.....:-).... very nice!!

Thank you,Marcia.
So it is going to be a qilt top to go sandwitched as regular quilts would.
I would be handsewing them, just like French Roses quilt I made. It reminds me of the method of Hawaiian quilt.
I will try to make one anyways, let me ask you some more beginner question then.

Panda

Oh I love a treasure trail :D Shall I make some fresh scones and bring clotted cream and jam for our afternoon tea Marcia, how lovely :D :D :D

Marcia

Way to go girlfriend LOL. :wink:
Your blocks are so scrummy I love them all. I'm off to do a class next week end, so will post pics then. I don't think we have to use a ruler as it's not been mentioned. Will let you know. :D

Tisha

Dawn

Where are you - or I should say WHERE ARE YOUR BLOCKS!!!!!!

Come on don't be shy now, give us all a peek. :wink:

Tisha

Thank you!! I am flattered. :oops: :oops: That is high praise coming from you!! You are such an awesome quilter!!

Rhonda-thank you for sharing!!! That is really sweet of you. I could never have done this without a class, but now that I know how, it is really simple.

Here is a tutorial for those of you who want to give this a try!

http://www.bobrow.net/kimberly/Quilts/Tutorial/

June

Panda, Yes, it will be sandwiched and quilted just like a regular quilt. You can ask all the questions you need and I will be happy to help in any way I can :-)

Oh, Izy, scones and clotted cream and jam sound wonderful!! I will set the table so it will be ready when you get here. Bring a few of your quilts for "show and tell" too.

Oh--I am getting so excited!! We are going to have so much fun!! :lol: :lol:

That is just so special, Marcia!
I want to take the class, too!
BEAUTIFUL!
(I think the pink will be great for a border, too)

thanks June! I'm going to book mark this so I can try it one day!

One day I am going to have a real go at that I think they are gorgeous.

Elle