Tisha-is your class for a kaleidoscope quilt too???

Very nice.

I'm so glad you posted your blocks! They look great! When I first started to learn to quilt, I bought some pre-cut triangles off of ebay to make some kaleidoscopes. I actually did get them put together and made into a quilt but I can tell you that as a beginner....I learned a ton from that process! I just love the look of them though!

Beautiful!!!

I know this has probably been asked before but what is the difference between kaleidoscope and stack and wack? Does k-scope use less fabric. Do you need specific ruler? They look like a blast to make and turn out so beautiful. But I am always concerned abt wasting fabric.

Wow, Marcia - that is SO beautiful - you've just moved K quilt WAAAAYYYY up nearer the top of my to do list! :D

K x

I don't know how anyone else does it but I make mine with a plastic template. I cut out the shape I want in my case it is for a dresden plate and I find the spot on the fabric I want to use and trace the features on the fabric so I can set it on the next spot in the exact way to get an exact duplicate of the first one. I choose a flower or a line in the design I want to see repeated in my dresden plate. I choose what I want to use.
Stack and whack is pretty much the same idea but you just line up the fabric and cut without much eye to choice. It comes out however it comes out.
Both are good and it is a matter of choice. Stack and whack I have seen are triangles and mine are dresden plates.
Hope that helps.

Very, very nice. I really like your blocks and the black fabric gives great contrast. Looks alot like the Stack N'Whack methocd of Bethany Reynolds that I did in a recent quilt guild workshops. But Bethany's method did not have us using mirrors. It was kind of like doing a mystery quilt, since you really were not sure about the end result. I loved it.

I have not made a stack and whack, but that was pretty much the method we used. We cut 8 repeats of the pattern of our fabric (it takes a lot of fabric!!), then we stacked the 8 repeats on top of each other. In order to keep them lined up perfectly we took a needle and thread and pulled a thread through the exact same spot on each piece of fabric. We did this all over the fabric to keep it stabilized. This was the most tedious part. Next we took the kaleidoscope ruler and decided how big we wanted to make our blocks. The ruler and mirror help you to preview how some of your blocks will look. Once you have decided how big to make your block, you cut off a strip the required width, then use the ruler, moving it from one side to the other and cut the triangles. Depending on how wide your repeat is and the size of the blocks you decide to make, you can get many blocks out of your fabric.

The repeat of the pattern of my fabric was 15". So, I cut 8 15" wide strips of my fabric and stacked them on top of each other. I decided to make 10" blocks. I cut a 5 1/2" strip off of my fabric stack and then cut my triangles from it.

So, the method I used to make my triangles was definitely a "stack and whack" method. I think if I had moved my ruler and mirror around and had fussy cut my triangles it would have been less a stack and whack method. I just used my mirrors to audition fabrics to see which one I wanted to use for my quilt.

I have done Stack and Whack with 6 repeats for hexagons. And the 4 patch posy is the same concept. They are addicting! I see a fun fabric and want to do another one. Have done them with Oriental fabrics and jungle fabrics and florals. I really like doing them becasue the results are so amazing and unexpected! :lol: :lol:

Nicely done! I've been dying to try one of those one block wonders, they look so awesome, but I can't justify buying more fabric right now. Some day...........................

M

OH! I just love this!! It's pretty, yet also striking! I love the black with the flowers.

Wowsers! That's just awesome! I love the black background fabric--it really makes your color pop! I can't even imagine how you do these blocks!

Marcia,
I tried two patterns of it and made a small wall hanging. It is going to be finished after binding. But I learned how difficult to find the right spot to cut out to make the pattern come out soooo cute as yours and Rhonda's on the other thread.
The center part was way harder tahn i expected and I covered it with yoyo. LOL
Panda

I find it easiest to use a yoyo. I think it is too hard to get the center to lay flat if I try to extend the end into the middle so I quit trying!

Are you going to share pictures of the ones you made? I'm sure they are just as pretty just differant. I have made some I wasn't sure I liked but my mom or my friend will like it. So don't second guess yourself it may hit someone else differant than it does you! I have learned to present things I didn't like because there is usualy someone else who will like it!!

Hope you share pictures!!

Rhonda, I wil try. (^_^)

OK - I've just ordered a book, k ruler and now looking for some fabric hhmmm, nothing suitable in my stash - going to have to order some of that too - boy this hobby can be expensive!

Marcia - how many yards did your top take? I know it depends on pattern repeat, but roughly? Thanks!

K x

Just found this - what do you think?

http://www.gloriouscolor.com/store-d...p?cat=162&ID=1

K x

I wasn't going to spend anymore money on fabric right now but had to have this!!!! So pretty and the repeats are not too far apart. Ought to make up some fantastic k's! :thumbup:

well if it's good enough for you, Rhonda, it's good enough for me! How much would you get? I'd probably want to make a lap quilt size.

Thanks, and sorry for leading you into temptation! LOL

K x

Well I don't know anything about using a K ruler so it may be differant to figure than fussy cutting. With fussy cutting I could probably get 4or 5 Ks out of one yard so figure how many Ks you want and go from there. If you are using it for the back then add about 1 1/2--2 yards for that.

But you'll need someone else who does the stack and whack to advise you on that amount. I don't know if it is the same amount or not.

For what Ido for a lap q I would probably get about 4-4 1/2 yds. I like to add alittle extra to what I think I will need so I don't get in a pickle with coming up short. Plus sometimes you can't go baack and get more it may be all gone or discontinued!! Happens to me all the time!! I find a favorite and when I go back I can't get any.

Oh and the temptation was so much fun!!!!! Thanks for the link!!

Thanks Rhonda - I found it on sale on a UK site and delivery is cheaper for me too! It's by the metre so I got four - then it'll be as big as it is!

K x

Can't wait to see it!!! :D :D

Are you planning on a kaleidoscope with yours? It would be interesting to see the difference between the two - how we chose to cut, etc. But you'll have to cut me some slack because you're an expert and this will be my first try!

K x

I am planning on adding some k's to some cream colored totes I bought at Hobby Lobby. I am taking my stuff to a local fall event here called Old Threshers reunion. Everyone always asks me why I don't go so this year it works out that I can go.

I was thinking of maybe trying a lap quilt with this one but I don't have alot of time if I am going to be ready for OT plus I have to keep up with my local store. I take an order up about every three weeks or so. Plus I have grandkids every weekend and a handicapped husband and a mother that is in my house or on the phone several times a day.

so I may try to find time for a lap q We'll see...

I have been looking for some new K fabric. I bought a couple the other day so I am looking forward to seeing how they work out.
And am anxious to get this new fabric!! :D Anticipation!!! :lol:

Nothing like a squishy parcel in the mail box to brighten your day!

K x

Yes Marcia - the tutor is calling it Stack & Wack it looks like the same principal you've used. Will post pics afterwards. :D

Tisha

Look forward to that, Tisha - I'm REALLY excited by this technique! No classes around where I live though so seeing all you ladies' work is a real help and inspiration!

K x

Hi, Very beautiful quilt.

Oh Marcia, They are gorgeous.... Were they hard to do?

Wow that is beautiful. Hope we can see the end results!

I really LOVE your colors - vibrant contrasts and FUN! Nice job! I haven't done one of these yet, but would love to. I'm inspired to at least try one now! 8)

Just love it. The black is perfect. I really want to try one as I collect kaleidoscopes. Any suggestionsfor a book or pattern?

I don't use the whack and stack - I like to fussy cut to get the look I want. You can see my directions on my free teaching site www.bitsnpiecesworkshop.com

There is a copy of my template you can copy off if you would like to try my way. I use a dresden plate shape instead of the triangles .

Gorgeous colors, and looks so fun!

WOW---wish I had your talent.

wowzers, this is a fascinating and tempting post. I will be honest though, not ready,...but I have bookmarked and gonna do other stuff and wait for new projects that you guys are gonna post (!)...getting my drooler ready as we speak...(in print), lol. :wink:

Marcia, you will never look at a print in the same way --- especially a large print. Since I did a kaleidoscope (from the Stack and Whack book) quilt, I disect prints to see what I could come up with. It's so amazing that you got such different blocks. They are simply beautiful. And setting them on the black is outstanding. :thumbup:

Wow, that's beautiful!! you've hit on 2 of my addictions... black backgrounds and kaleidoscope designs.. I just finished a lap quilt of 8 pointed stars done from 2 fabrics. Aren't they fun????

That is just amazing Marcia, I love the way you get such a lot of different blocks from the same fabric.

Elle