Wednesday, March 2, 2011

What's on the design wall?

Here it is...the first step of the Kaliedoscope quilt. I've already learned some lessons for when I try to make this again. As you can see, my first strip set of 6 fabrics only shows 5 of the fabrics. Looks rather Springy so far. I really like the blue plaid on the tips. Too bad the next time that fabric was used in a strip, it didn't make it onto the pattern. The 2nd set of strips only used 4 of the 6 strips. The stripe fabric could have been better showcased if they were at an angle instead of straight across. I really like the dark brown with green flower piece of fabric. It adds a different dimension to the quilt.
The 3rd set has 5 of the 6 strips but only shows a tiny tip of the 5th color. which will probably be lost in the seams. I think the stripe fabric is a little better being on the slant.

The 4th set of strips still only showed 5 of the 6 strips and the green stripe is still not angled as much as I would like it to be.
* * * *
If you'll look at the 3rd (last)row added above you can see that the piece under the paper pattern piece is added right. Look at the striped fabric. But when I added the rest around I put them up wrong making the stripe rather flat across instead of peaked like it should be. I couldn't figure out why the next row just didn't seem to fit correctly. By the time I added the last row around I figured out my mistake. If you compare the picture below with the last picture you can see the mistake. Now they all seem to fit together. Simple mistake but sure makes a difference.



By the 5th set of strips the pattern piece was big enough to show all 6 of the fabric strips but the strip set was about 1/2 inch too short as you can see by the red piece on the right corner. I'll need to do a little piecing on that one to make it right. I still need to add the wedgies and butt pieces to make it a 36 inch square....maybe later tonight.

So far it has been quite fun to see the development of the pattern. I think next time I might use less fabrics and repeat some of the fabrics in the strip sets. I really like the dark brown and think maybe repeating that might have given it more depth. It sure was fun to see how different it looked after each section was added. OK now I'm ready to go back and see about adding the wedges and then start sewing them together.
Happy quilting! Lynda



12 comments:

Brenda said...

Totally COOL!!! Thanks for sharing!

Oops-Lah said...

My gosh, that looks complicated, but nevertheless gorgeous. It's a bit of a learning experience, isn't it? Did you figure that all out from a book? I'm normally much better, when someone shows me how to do it. Can't wait to see how it looks all sewn together. Well done!

Nicky and Patrick said...

I LOVE it!!! I agree with having more of the brown though and maybe less fabrics. Glad you make it and I can learn from you too:) Can't wait to see it completed!

QuiltSue said...

It was fascinating to see it after each stage, it changed so much every time.

Kathy said...

I love the stars! So colorful. Looks like a lot of work!

Carol G said...

I just found your blog from another quilter who is making a kaleidoscope. Actually you are the fourth I know of now. I will be sewing my pieces together soon and somewhat dreading it! Visit me at quiltfever.wordpress.com. There are links to the other two blogs on my March 1 post. I'll keep watching your progress. I agree this has really been a learning experience.

Patty Hsiu said...

I just found you from another blog as well! I think I'm one of the four other kaleidoscopers that Carol G is referring to :-)
Your Kaleidoscope looks wonderful. I love the stripes and the colors. Mine is black and white and ranges in between because I committed to doing a monochromatic quilt. It's been an exercise in restraint as I really usually build very colorful quilts! Thanks for sharing your experience. I'll look forward to more!

Miss Hillbilly said...

That is really, really neat! I bet it was fun to watch it develop.

Josie said...

Wow!! You kaleidoscope is just gorgeous. Thanks for showing your progress 'step by step'. Hummm... you are tempting me to start another quilt!! Looking forward to seeing your's progress.

Auntie Em said...

Wow, yours really does look like a kaleidoscope!

Kris said...

Hi Lynda - Your Medallion is looking wonderful!! I was over visiting Auntie Em and she had a link to your blog so we can see what you are doing!! I just bought Ricky Tim's book and can't wait to get mine started!! Luckily I get to learn from your experience!! Kris down in St. George.

Theodora quilts said...

HI lYinda and I thank you for your visit to my blog on the post about my pillow ,My follow button wasn't working for some reason ,but now all is well,I love your Kaliedoscope ,you did use plenty of fabrics and still managed to work them in I shall try one day I have it on my list ,so many patterns I wish to try and so little time,I wish you a nice day,xoxo theodora