Stack and Whack questions
 

I have the rulers and book on kaleidescope quilts but am afraid to start! What tips do you expects have for taking this plunge?

I taught my students to cut the fabric in half lengthwise first. Set aside half for the borders and then find you pattern repeat and cut it at the same place in the print for the number of repeats ou need with your pattern on the remaining half. By using half the width of the fabric, it is easier to cut and handle. Stack and Whack is fun to make....never know what you are going to get in the next block.

pin pin pin pin and then pin keeps things in place no regrets later and if your cutting many repeats its important to not 'blow it' by a little shift. if you follow the book to a T you will not be sorry. its absolutely so fun to see who things change once you cut them like this :)

Following the instructions in the book "One Block Wonders" by Maxine Rosenthal, I've made two quilts (one hexagons; one octagons). While this isn't exactly the same thing you're doing, the principles are identical. And like you, I was afraid to make the first cut! Here's what I remember thinking was important:

1. Don't wash your fabric.

2. Do follow the directions exactly (lining up the fabric, using flat-headed pins, etc.).

3. Take extra time to be as accurate as possible. Accuracy is critical in making this type of quilt.

4. Remember that this is your first kaleidoscope quilt + you're only human = you are unlikely to achieve 100% accuracy (not that any mere mortal ever can). Also remember that if you never try, you have no chance of success. So dive in and begin learning. This one will be great and the next one will be even better!

5. Be sure to post a picture of the final result so we can admire, applaud, and (frankly) learn from any mistakes you're willing to confess.

6. Have fun:o

SO Correct with you can NEVER not have enought PINS !!!

Starch the fabric before you cut. It keeps the layers of fabric more stable to make accurate cuts.

Staart with a new blade. Ask how I know that one.

Starch that unwashed fabric until it is as stiff as paper! When I did mine, I starched it 4-5 times and pressed it between each starching...the stiffer it is, the easier it is to keep it aligned. Lots of flower pins (because you can lay your ruler over them and the ruler stays flat) and a new rotary blade are essential.

I glue basted my layers together. Cut through them just fine. My fabric didn't move one smidge.

I was wondering about using glue as I read the above posts, then came upon your post! Will try that on my next one. Thanks!

I agree with the pinning, and one more suggestion about that... use the flat head flower pins...so much easier!!

NO FEAR!!! If you follow the directions and learn the process, don't rush, you'll be fine. No one is born knowing everything.

It also helps to temporarily mark your ruler so things do line up correctly.

Lots of good advice here -- you should be good to go. Just one question about the glue basting --once the fabric is cut how do you get the layers apart?

I use Elmer's Washable glue and gently pull the fabric apart. I use pin head dots of glue.

Have fun!
Take a pic of your fabric before you cut it
Use a design wall.
I used coffee filters to separate my triangle/hexagon units - and used them as dividers until i was ready to start putting them on the wall.
After you get them cut, and decide on the design for them, put them on the wall for your layout - take pics. the camera will let you see things your eyes don't. rearrange and take more pics.

Great tips here for beginning this project. My addition is to try some blocks first on fabric you don't want to keep or use in other projects, just so you can get the practice of what you want to do. You learn so much just by doing.
peace

I have done several and the clues you are getting are right on. Good luck

Ditto! The accuracy of your finish blocks is totally dependent on accurate pinning.

Does glue work? Can you glue instead of pinning? I haven't tried these but am intrigued.

I've done a few of these and love the process. The slight uncertainty of the finished blocks is a lot of fun. I guess I like jigsaw puzzles a little too much. I definitely use a lot of the flower-head pins, and yes put a new blade in my rotary cutter each time. This is a lot of fun, so don't keep putting it off. I think you'll like this once you do a few blocks.,

I wouldn't do it without using the 2 pin approach: Use one pin to go down thru the layers and to hold the layers straight on the pin, then take the flat flower pin to pin the layers together while the first pin is still in there keeping the layers in position.

Great advice here!!!

I've done one, and I will say that the layout and photo is an iterative process - it can get better or worse the more you arrange the blocks. I stuck to the rue in the book about arranging the little pies only for straight of grain, but many people on the board have told me I could have done otherwise. (Perhaps if I had starched too, I could have done that). It gives you two more options for each assembled hex :)

Get a big enough design wall to see the whole thing.

And a 60 size rotary cutter with sharp blades!

Also I bought the ruler (why do I keep saying in various posts that I hate special rulers??? Every quilt I do is an exception to my hating them!) and it was a big help in cutting the triangles.

And get good quality fabric so you don't end up with misprints and variations which make it hard to line up perfectly.

And HAVE FUN!!! These quilts are lots of fun!

I've made a couple Stack'nWhacks. You all are giving me thoughts of making another one. They were fun; it's fascinating to see the designs happen.

I love stack and whack! Yes pin lots and make sure your pin is through the fabric at the same spot on each level. So you find a point on your top sheet and than make sure your pin goes through exactly on the other layers. Same as when you cut your fabrics. Find that one spot there your repeat will end and than cut your repeat. Than carry on making sure you are cutting at the same point each time. I truly agree with cutting your fabric in half length wise as it makes it easier to line up your repeats. Once you make that first cut you will feel better as I know I was scared Sh_tless. But it was easy after I got started.