Okie Dokie...I was just wondering.
One way to get all those seams to lay flat....A BIG HAMMER!! ;)

Wow, they're all beautiful!

I've seen in a book somewhere that if you get a tiny hole in a centre of a star, etc, you can take a teeny gathering stitch through each patch on the reverse to close it.
Obviously with a bigger hole this would cause puckering though! I like the yoyo or button idea!

K x

they are so pretty...

What pattern do you use? I see you have 10 wedges or triangles? Beautiful. Thank you

There is no pattern. These are fussy cut and you can make them anyway you want. I use my own template which I offer free to people. It makes 10 blades which end up as a 8 1/2" Dresden Kaleidoscope.

I wrote an ebook on this method and have a lot of the info in there as well as projects you can make.

Basically you need a yard of fabric with enough repeats of a specific part of the design. for example a flower. Once you see a particular flower in the design then see how many more you can find that are the exact same thing. You need at least 10 in the yard. Usually I find at least 8 in a half yard. So you can use the same fabric to make several. Once you find a spot you like then lay the clear template on the spot. I take a fine point magic marker and mark features of the flower and leaves on the template. Then I draw around the template. Find another spot that is identical and line up the markings with the design on the fabric. Then draw around the template and continue to do this til you have 10 blades drawn. I place a pin with a bright colored head in each blade as I mark them so I can go back and find them easier. Now cut out the blades.

Sew them together and you will end up with a Dresden Kaleidoscope.

You can use the stack and whack method but you won't have a Dresden plate shape if you do. You will just have a Kaleidoscope and not the combination of both Dresden plate and Kaleidoscope.

This really is not that hard at all. Just make sure you match up the template as accurately as possible for the best results.

I would get your e-book but my computer is like me, old and slow., and my printer doesn't work. Do you have a book for sale? And how do I get the templates? Thanks so much, Jacque

You can order it through my website if you like and I can print it off and mail it to you. No problem. The templates I just need your postal address and I can mail them to you.

Wow are those pretty.

My ***personal info edited for user protection***

I love your "blocks" and colors

so pretty! I think they should be hanging on a wall. Just MHO.

thanks! They are fun to do.

RHONDA, IF I GET TO MOVE I'M MOVING NEXT TO YOU, I'LL DO HOUSEWORK IN EXCHANGE FOR PERSONAL LESSONS :) :) :) I LOVE ALL YOUR STUFF!!!!!!!!

What about putting them on a sweatshirt jacket. If you have extra fabric you could do the cuffs and the bottom, the lapes too. I would certainly buy a jucket with those on them.

LOL The house right beside us is up for sale. LOL If you enjoy small midwest town living it is a wonderful place to live. Only thing is everyone thinks they know what you are thinking before you know! LOL You just can't do anything you don't want everyone to know about!

I would love to get a quilter moving in next door! Just let me know when you are coming Sandee!! LOL

Just this past week I made 12 dresden kscopes. I had found the template and instructions on line (may have been here). Those little things are addictive! My fabric was a jungle fabric, with lions, leopards, zebras, some beautiful birds and a rain forest. The kscopes turned out wonderful.
I have the little mirrors that let you look at the fabric and see what the kscopes will look like ahead of cutting them out. Those are really nice. My Dad fixed them up for me.
I have made one stack n whack quilt, but after this week, I prefer the dresden kscopes. Love the finished look of them.

I get excited to see what each one will look like. After I get about 3 of the blades cut out I have to stop and sew them together to see how the repeats are going to look. They are sooo addictive. I can't wait to see what the next one will turn out like each time I work on them.

They look fantastic Rhonda, nice work! I can't wait to make this block using your template, thanks!

Love this and esp the print you have used. We will soon be doing this as a group.

Awesome!

If you can run to making 9 you could make a smallish square lap quilt, incorporating them with other fabrics. See http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-92847-7.htm for my attempt using kaleidoscopes cut from recycled fabric. Linda Rotz Miller makes lovely quilts using small numbers of kaleidocope blocks (rather than complete OBWs) http://www.quiltsandquilttops.com/

Those first ones are so delicate...just beautiful.

Thanks everyone. I have done the Dresden Kaleidoscopes for several years. I love the combination of the kaleidoscope with the look of a Dresden Plate.

Here are a couple of fun ones I included in the ebook. I played with this cat fabric and I think they are cute!

This first one makes me think of a spider in the center but they are the cats tails.

I didn't realize til I had it put together the second one half of the blades are not the same as the other half.
Can you tell the differance?

*

wowie...just read this one and very impressed with the dresden plates....the cats are tooo cute!
Want to try this soon!

Aren't they fun. I love to make them, you never know what you are going to get.

You are truly gifted rhonda. Thank you so much for your tutorial

I love your work, and I would like to try these, maybe putting 2-3 for Table Runner But 1st alot of practice:)

I think these are gorgeous! They'd be doubly so as the central focus of a table cloth. Maybe add 1/4 of one to each of the four corners, point in the corner?

what about making them into pot holders?? ive done a few and everyone seems to like them.

Very nice! The mini ones are so adorable, how about using them as flower heads and add stems and leaves for a hanging or table topper? I will have to try this someday soon, intriquing! Thanks for sharing and also for your instructions and pattern, you are kind. Antylu

They would make great mug rugs or hot plates for holiday gifts. The patterns are pretty and year-round. Thanks for sharing.

[QUOTE=Rhonda;308223]I am in progress with these I will applique them onto a tote bag or other small project.

How about using them as the crown for baby bonnets :D

Rhonda, I think you should consider selling these! I love to have things like this on hand so I can whip out giftie things fast.. I would then use them on totes or pillows or table toppers, etc... Would save me lots of time! And yet I could make nice gifts..

You could have different categories and colors... Personally I would like some Romantics, some Civil War, some 1930's...

I'm excited about all the possibilities!

[QUOTE=KeenKountryKreations;5757256]Interesting idea! I'm not a seamstress tho. but would love to see one if you make one!

very nice work

the flower head idea makes a really pretty quilt. i have a quilt top made by my grandmother from 30's or 40's not sure but i went to live with her in the early 50's and she was no longer making quilt tops then. but the top she made has dresden plate blocks with brown circle in middle of plates and a long stem. i have never seen another like it and your comment is the first time i have seen someone else come up with the idea. i don't know if gramma got the idea from a friend or if it was her idea. she was a very fun & imaginative sewer...my favorite thing she did was to make a shirt for me with every piece of the garment a different fabric...like a "joseph's coat".

They are gorgeous. You picked just the perfect fabrics to do the kaleidoscopes with

They are beautiful. I would starch them and maybe make a lining for the underside with pellon iron on glue like they use for applique. You could make table scarves from some of them, the flowers especially, even coasters from the small ones. I bet they would sell like crazy on Ebay, Etsy or somewhere like that or they would make very elegant presents also.