Kaleidoscope pattern recommendation
 

On my "want to do" list of quilt patterns this year is a kaleidoscope. I've looked at several, and I prefer the ones where the blocks are all arranged like gears touching. Others have space around each one so it looks like simple rows and columns, and there's not as much visual movement.

If you've done a kaleidoscope and enjoyed the method you used (written pattern or online tutorial), or if you could tell me what did not work for you, I'd love to hear it.

I've been collecting Kaffe Fassett prints I want to use for this.

Thanks.

think what you are describing is the One Block Wonder--google it, all over the place.

Craftsy has a Kaleidoscope pattern that I think is free. It is one I've downloaded & plan to make. It has the color parts touching as you described. It looks like it will be fun to make.

There are so many quilt designs that are called kaleidoscopes. Can you show a picture of the one you want to make?

Something like this, as far as the light and dark placement to create movement.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/56576539039875244/

My recommendation is to buy the Creative Grids Spiderweb ruler and to starch your fabrics well.

Does this work?

http://www.quilterscache.com/K/KaleidoscopeBlock.html

Watson

Thank you for that recommendation. Those are the kinds of answers I'm looking for--specifics about pattern, tools, processes that people have actually used (as opposed to merely seen or not tried).

My main concern is how to get the movement that's perceived from placement of light and dark. I could figure out the construction, but would prefer to have the math and method spelled out for me. I know there's a ton of help "out there,' but I am asking for what, specifically, have you folks here used that has worked well for your own kaleidscope quilt making.

I have the creative grids ruler and use it quite a bit.

I used the ruler for this quilt. I strip pieced and then cut the wedges. Then added the outer corners. I didn't do any paper piecing.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...pssmwyhrqh.jpg

If you tweek your color / fabric placement a bit you could turn this pattern
Into this one I am just finishing.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]606317[/ATTACH]

Jordan Fabrics has a few tutorials on this.

ROh, how gorgeous! So vibrant!

Also lovely, but I am trying to get a look from bigger pieces, not strips, using a pattern that clearly spells out how to get patches of light and dark areas that give the overall effect of movement. Not just light /dark/light alternating block after block. within each block uniformly. I have seen ones where it appears a flashlight is almost highlighting different areas while others are in shadows. I will keep looking.

Made this one using 3 colors....

So are you wanting more like one block wonders like these centers, just the whole quilt?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]606330[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]606331[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]606332[/ATTACH]

The picture you posted looks like Winding Ways to me---very similar (I think the difference is Winding Ways uses curved pieces), and there's a ruler for Winding Ways.

Bingo! Yes, thank you. That is the type of pattern I'm thinking, but didn't know it had its own name. When you wrote "Winding Ways," I googled images and there are lots of examples. I just want to do one in Kaffe colors and achieve the same effect, but I don't think I could figure it out on my own without a ton of patience.

Since Craftsy has changed to Blueprint, I couldn't find the pattern on my phone. The platform has changed so I had to look on my laptop, but here is the link to this alternate Kaleidoscope pattern:
https://shop.mybluprint.com/quilting...pattern/190932

Conchalea, I also downloaded that pattern. I tried one block and gave up. It is extremely difficult to get everything to line up properly, and the thought of trying to get a second block to line up with the first was daunting. If I were to do it, I would paper piece it.

That pattern doesn't appeal to me. All I picture is frustration when I imagine making it. LOL. I know myself!

There's a one block wonder site where you can scan your fabric then look at different design possibilities.

It's a Facebook app for one block wonder quilts. One of our guild members has made about 6 quilts using this app

fons and porter have a pattern in one of their 2008 issues using the Kaleidoscope ruler. also there is a youtube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZSmr3sfyb0

Ginger, thanks for the heads-up. I have so many quilts & ideas I want to try that I can easily keep that one at the back of the line. I haven’t yet printed it.

I also tried that pattern, Conchalea and have a grocery bag full of pieces to show for it.

Watson