Hey there. Hope you all had a good weekend. Mine was pretty good, with great springtime weather, some family time, and some sewing thrown in for good measure. I got the center section of Victory Stars all sewn together, and am going to set that project aside for a bit. I will be adding a beautiful border of stars all around the center section, but not for a few months.
I love this project, I really do, but am craving some brighter colors right now. I've got a couple of projects in mind, and will be sharing my plan as soon as I formulate it a bit better.
Have you heard of Hyacinth Quilt Designs? Cindy Lammon is the designer and blog writter, and does some truly beautiful work using more modern fabrics and designs. I am quite smitten with her most recent quilt, Kaleidoscope. You have to go take a look. She has used a palette of orchids and greens from a Heather Bailey collection, and the Kaleidoscope quilt block makes the most interesting visual pattern. This quilt just screams SPRING.
Have any of you made the Kaleidoscope block? I have been looking up construction techniques and there are a number of options. The block can be paper pieced, or you can use templates for cutting, or special rulers. I am stymied as to how to proceed, but know I must make this quilt!
Love your new header quilt! Also working on "brighter/lighter" quilts! Spring has sprung!
Posted by: Michele Klein | March 24, 2014 at 07:11 AM
I' did a kaleidoscope block years ago with templates. Very easy. But there weren't many other options at the time. Good luck!
Posted by: Diane Linford | March 24, 2014 at 07:12 AM
Hyacinth Quilts always has the most wonderful quilts! I've used the Kaleidoscope Smart Plate - you make pinwheels and trim them into kaleidoscope shapes. Very simple!
http://www.smartplatequilting.com/
Posted by: Lisa D. | March 24, 2014 at 07:22 AM
That quilt just screams spring and love the look of the design but have to say it looks a bit difficult to make...hope you find a better pattern or plan to make it. That smart Plate sounds like it might do the job. I am thinking it is time to get into some bright fabrics and find a good pattern to start, must be that time of year!
Posted by: gailss1 | March 24, 2014 at 07:30 AM
Do you have a 45 degree triangle ruler?
If you do, you are ready to start.
I used Marilyn Doheny's kaleidoscope ruler when I made mine.
There are lots of different ones on the market now.
Strip sets and rotary cutting are my way to go.
Posted by: Pam O | March 24, 2014 at 07:39 AM
What a glorious quilt in such happy colors and I can see why Victory Stars is going on the back burner for a while.
I've never made a Kaleidoscope block but am interested in Lisa D.'s link showing how to trim up pinwheels. Will visit that link in a moment.
Thanks for the link to Hyacinth Quilts and the amazing, cheerful quilts there. I need to finish up these winter blocks quickly as light and bright fabrics are calling to me even tho we may have snow again tomorrow.
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | March 24, 2014 at 08:48 AM
I love that Kaleidoscope block ... I love blocks that create a secondary pattern when pieced together, especially a circular pattern. Those are certainly very spring-like colors ... I'm not normally a fan of pastels, but these certainly made me think of spring.
Posted by: Kathy ... aka Nana | March 24, 2014 at 09:23 AM
I saw Cindy's quilt - gorgeous, I love the colors which are a combo that would never have occured to me. I have a Kaleidoscope quilt on my list (my Quilts to make in 2014 Pinterst visual list) and am thinking of using my stash of Paris Flea market fabrics. I even bought a gadget called Smart Plate ruler to use for the blocks. All that is left is to get started!
Posted by: Cathy | March 24, 2014 at 10:07 AM
I love your Victory Star ... but understand your need for colour. Gosh. This winter just goes on and on and on. Look forward to seeing some colourful blog posts!
Posted by: Debbie R. | March 24, 2014 at 11:30 AM
beautiful.....I do love the spring colors.....Keep up the good work.....
Thanks for sharing.
gloria g. Hemingway, SC
Posted by: gloria g. | March 24, 2014 at 01:20 PM
You are so close to finishing Victory Star & I love it ! Can't wait to start mine. I just checked out that link and quilt is beautiful. I can see why you want to stop for awhile working on you VS and start this quilt. Looking forward to watching your progress
Posted by: Sue Babich | March 24, 2014 at 03:31 PM
Cindy Lammon's blog is one of my favorites! I also love kaleidoscope blocks and have made probably a dozen kaleidoscope quilts. I use Marti Michell's large Kaleido-Ruler which makes blocks from 6" to 16". I should warn you that kaleido blocks are highly addictive.
Posted by: Dawn | March 24, 2014 at 04:54 PM
I love your new blog header! So bright and summery! I've never made a kaleidoscope block yet, but would like to try. I think I would go with paper piecing for accuracy.
Posted by: Jackie | March 24, 2014 at 07:28 PM