Rhonda's Dresden Kaleidoscope Tutorial
06-19-2015, 12:39 PM
#72
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: San Francisco Bay area
Posts: 223
Very pretty ... keeps the eye moving.
I just had a "light bulb moment". If you have access to a copier, lay your fabric on it and make several copies (b&w or color; doesn't make much difference). Then, using the template, trace around various placement options for the blades, cut them out (perhaps 5 of the 10)and arrange them so as to give you an idea of what your finished kscope would look like and go with the one you like. If you're one who is "fussy-cut challenged", this little technique could save some time and frustration (i.e. would like to know how it would look before I cut into the fabric) .
Disclaimer: I haven't tried this with this particular block / project, but I think I will. As I said, it was "light bulb momonent" as I was reading through this thread.
I just had a "light bulb moment". If you have access to a copier, lay your fabric on it and make several copies (b&w or color; doesn't make much difference). Then, using the template, trace around various placement options for the blades, cut them out (perhaps 5 of the 10)and arrange them so as to give you an idea of what your finished kscope would look like and go with the one you like. If you're one who is "fussy-cut challenged", this little technique could save some time and frustration (i.e. would like to know how it would look before I cut into the fabric) .
Disclaimer: I haven't tried this with this particular block / project, but I think I will. As I said, it was "light bulb momonent" as I was reading through this thread.
06-19-2015, 01:29 PM
#73
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Salem Iowa
Posts: 15,666
[QUOTE=MCH;7232065]Very pretty ... keeps the eye moving.
If you have access to a copier, lay your fabric on it and make several copies (b&w or color; doesn't make much difference). Then, using the template, trace around various placement options for the blades, cut them out (perhaps 5 of the 10)and arrange them so as to give you an idea of what your finished kscope would look like and go with the one you like. If you're one who is "fussy-cut challenged", this little technique could save some time and frustration (i.e. would like to know how it would look before I cut into the fabric) .
I use paper alot to preview things. I have done this for a lady who wasn't sure how to cut her fabric. I find 3 blades will give you a good idea of what that DK will look like.
I recommend making sure you have an element at the bottom 1" of the blade and in the middle and in the upper 1 1/2" of the template.
I look for blades or leaves or flowers in the bottom section. Something that sticks up and wont' blend into a blur when the blades are sewn together.
In the middle you can lay the edge of your template through the center of a large flower and it will be a great repeat. Remember what is on the right of your template will meet up with what is on the left side of your template.
I like to make sure the top of the template has something interesting but remember you will lose a seam allowance at the top. You will lose more than 1/4" if you needle turn the edge or make a hotpad out of it etc.
Also remember to consider colors in your fabric. If you have a color that stands out in your fabric try to put that in your blade. Make sure you are using a spot that is not too busy as it will all blend instead of stand out.
The biggest no no - don't use fabric that doesn't have enough variety in the pattern. I have done some that the pattern is too repetitive as in small sunflowers or something that lays in a row and is the same thing in each row. You are better off with something that has med to large flowers and or leaves etc.
It just takes some practice to learn what to look for. Paisleys are one of my favorites and med flower bouquets and leaves make great patterns
If you have access to a copier, lay your fabric on it and make several copies (b&w or color; doesn't make much difference). Then, using the template, trace around various placement options for the blades, cut them out (perhaps 5 of the 10)and arrange them so as to give you an idea of what your finished kscope would look like and go with the one you like. If you're one who is "fussy-cut challenged", this little technique could save some time and frustration (i.e. would like to know how it would look before I cut into the fabric) .
I use paper alot to preview things. I have done this for a lady who wasn't sure how to cut her fabric. I find 3 blades will give you a good idea of what that DK will look like.
I recommend making sure you have an element at the bottom 1" of the blade and in the middle and in the upper 1 1/2" of the template.
I look for blades or leaves or flowers in the bottom section. Something that sticks up and wont' blend into a blur when the blades are sewn together.
In the middle you can lay the edge of your template through the center of a large flower and it will be a great repeat. Remember what is on the right of your template will meet up with what is on the left side of your template.
I like to make sure the top of the template has something interesting but remember you will lose a seam allowance at the top. You will lose more than 1/4" if you needle turn the edge or make a hotpad out of it etc.
Also remember to consider colors in your fabric. If you have a color that stands out in your fabric try to put that in your blade. Make sure you are using a spot that is not too busy as it will all blend instead of stand out.
The biggest no no - don't use fabric that doesn't have enough variety in the pattern. I have done some that the pattern is too repetitive as in small sunflowers or something that lays in a row and is the same thing in each row. You are better off with something that has med to large flowers and or leaves etc.
It just takes some practice to learn what to look for. Paisleys are one of my favorites and med flower bouquets and leaves make great patterns
06-19-2015, 01:33 PM
#74
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Salem Iowa
Posts: 15,666
[QUOTE=MCH;7232065]Very pretty ... keeps the eye moving.
If you have access to a copier, lay your fabric on it and make several copies (b&w or color; doesn't make much difference). Then, using the template, trace around various placement options for the blades, cut them out (perhaps 5 of the 10)and arrange them so as to give you an idea of what your finished kscope would look like and go with the one you like. If you're one who is "fussy-cut challenged", this little technique could save some time and frustration (i.e. would like to know how it would look before I cut into the fabric) .
I use paper alot to preview things. I have done this for a lady who wasn't sure how to cut her fabric. I find 3 blades will give you a good idea of what that DK will look like. You can sew paper just as you do fabric. You can also iron it so you can do a trial run with the paper blades.
I recommend making sure you have an element at the bottom 1" of the blade and in the middle and in the upper 1 1/2" of the template.
I look for blades or leaves or flowers in the bottom section. Something that sticks up and wont' blend into a blur when the blades are sewn together.
In the middle you can lay the edge of your template through the center of a large flower and it will be a great repeat. Remember what is on the right of your template will meet up with what is on the left side of your template.
I like to make sure the top of the template has something interesting but remember you will lose a seam allowance at the top. You will lose more than 1/4" if you needle turn the edge or make a hotpad out of it etc.
Also remember to consider colors in your fabric. If you have a color that stands out in your fabric try to put that in your blade. Make sure you are using a spot that is not too busy as it will all blend instead of stand out.
The biggest no no - don't use fabric that doesn't have enough variety in the pattern. I have done some that the pattern is too repetitive as in small sunflowers or something that lays in a row and is the same thing in each row. You are better off with something that has med to large flowers and or leaves etc.
It just takes some practice to learn what to look for. Paisleys are one of my favorites and med flower bouquets and leaves make great patterns
If you have access to a copier, lay your fabric on it and make several copies (b&w or color; doesn't make much difference). Then, using the template, trace around various placement options for the blades, cut them out (perhaps 5 of the 10)and arrange them so as to give you an idea of what your finished kscope would look like and go with the one you like. If you're one who is "fussy-cut challenged", this little technique could save some time and frustration (i.e. would like to know how it would look before I cut into the fabric) .
I use paper alot to preview things. I have done this for a lady who wasn't sure how to cut her fabric. I find 3 blades will give you a good idea of what that DK will look like. You can sew paper just as you do fabric. You can also iron it so you can do a trial run with the paper blades.
I recommend making sure you have an element at the bottom 1" of the blade and in the middle and in the upper 1 1/2" of the template.
I look for blades or leaves or flowers in the bottom section. Something that sticks up and wont' blend into a blur when the blades are sewn together.
In the middle you can lay the edge of your template through the center of a large flower and it will be a great repeat. Remember what is on the right of your template will meet up with what is on the left side of your template.
I like to make sure the top of the template has something interesting but remember you will lose a seam allowance at the top. You will lose more than 1/4" if you needle turn the edge or make a hotpad out of it etc.
Also remember to consider colors in your fabric. If you have a color that stands out in your fabric try to put that in your blade. Make sure you are using a spot that is not too busy as it will all blend instead of stand out.
The biggest no no - don't use fabric that doesn't have enough variety in the pattern. I have done some that the pattern is too repetitive as in small sunflowers or something that lays in a row and is the same thing in each row. You are better off with something that has med to large flowers and or leaves etc.
It just takes some practice to learn what to look for. Paisleys are one of my favorites and med flower bouquets and leaves make great patterns
06-20-2015, 07:41 PM
#76
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Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Calgary, Canada
Posts: 516
06-27-2015, 07:42 PM
#80
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Salem Iowa
Posts: 15,666
Originally Posted by sewmuchlove
Rhonda, you are so gracious to share your tutorials with us. Please send me the template to me at 1587 Watson Loop, Pikeville, TN 37367. Thank you so much. I'm not sure how to send a private message.
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