and grabbed my handy dandy kaleidoscope ruler.
Of course, some more strip-pairs mysteriously turned up and were also cut.
And there was some sewing.
What I've been doing with these fancier kaleidoscope blocks is to use one set as is, straight from the cutting (you can see some on the left in the picture below) and divide up the other sets and play mix and match. (I didn't think to get a photo of all the sets laid out. Picture the photo below with lots and lots more triangles.)
Here's the scraps left over from cutting all those strips. I've been saving them right along because I think I'll be able to use them in a border for the quilt when I eventually set it together. Or, you know, make another quilt. Whatevs.
Here are the plain kaleidoscopes - the ones where I limit myself to two fabrics in the block. (They still need their corner triangles sewn on. This is just laziness on my part.)
And here are all the plain kaleidoscopes I've made so far. Apparently I forgot to make any purple ones last month. Oops. I'll have to get on that.
And here are the 'wilder' version of the kaleidoscope blocks. My Kaleido-riot, if you will.
I seem to have made 12 orange kaleidoscopes for this month. So far. Uh oh.
Now these, I'm purposely not attaching corners to the blocks. I'll make a decision when all the blocks are done whether to use one color or a narrow range of colors, or whether to just go wild and keep with the random.
I'm having fun with these blocks, experimenting with color and contrast. Some blocks are high contrast, some low, and some in between. I'm hoping it gives a sense of drama and motion to the quilt. Time will tell.
Before I packed up for the day, I cut out some blocks for next time. I like having something to start on immediately while I think about what I want to play with next.
Hmm... There seems to be another kaleidoscope block up there ready to go.
Uh oh.
I'm linking this post to Cathy's Kaleidoscope of Butterflies Linky Party. Come see all the pretties!
15 comments:
I love orange so of course these are my favorite blocks so far. Your quilt is going to be so much fun!
Those kaleidoscopes do look like fun! Is it a special ruler, or are you using a certain degree of triangle type of ruler (60 maybe)? I love the oranges. Better get on those purples or they will feel left out!
I'm interested in the above question also. I'm normally not a big orange fan, but love it in your blocks.
Orange!! Yummm! Looks almost as good as bacon! lol. Love your blocks ... especially the ... what do you call them? Kaleido-riot. AWWWEEESOME!! Enjoy the sewing session. ;^)
You're a mad woman! (Keep it up!)
Judy, Little Penguin Quilts - I don't think the triangle she is using is a 60 degree because that would give you a Hexagon (6 sides x 60 degrees = 360 degrees). There are 8 section to the block so I'm thinking it is a 45 degree ruler. Which doesn't seem right as there would be a 90 degree (square) angle on the ruler.
I went to Jo-Ann's web site and sure enough my understanding of geometry is still good. Yeah! It's a 45-45-90 degree triangle.
Gayle - If it were me, I would use a very narrow range of color or just one color for you corner triangles on your kaleidoscope blocks so the wonderful color combinations you have used don't get lost. Plus, your eyes would have a place to rest before exploring the next combination of colors and prints.
So are you planning on making a quilt a month in each color or 12 rainbow quilts. In any case, its great to have you back in blogland.
Love the look of all the kaleidoscope blocks on the all together - the more colour, the merrier!
You crack me up! Smart idea to wait on the corners. I have some B/W spiderwebs that are still waiting for just the right corner fabric.
I don't need to say this, "don't hold back"
They are just so much fun! Have you seen the book sizzling 60's? How to align them to only sew straight seams. LeeAnna
I love all the kaleidoscope blocks you make and have just added them to my to do list. Maybe... Have fun!
They look like such fun, your kaleidoscope blocks, no wonder you cannot stop at one! I would like to suggest a white print with black dots, or something similar would be a good print for your corners - it will blend easily with all the colours and not distract the eye from the main blocks.
Are you ready for Kaleidoscope Makers Anonymous yet? I think you have an addiction. Or is it a virus? If so...spread it around.
Your tutorial makes me want to run out and buy one of those rulers as soon as I can spell it.
Oh, these are such fun pretties! As you wrote, I like the come and go effect that comes from arranging fabrics with different contrast. I hope to see more next month. Thanks for linking with K of B.
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