Here are some of the Projects in my book
Kaleidoscope the Smart Way.
Piecing a traditional kaleidoscope quilt couldn’t be simpler!
The patented Kaleidoscope Smart-Plate® is a brand new quilting template designed to simplify and speed-up the construction of the traditional pieced Kaleidoscope block. There is no cutting or sewing of narrow pointed triangles. Even a beginner can have great success by making the Kaleidoscope block the Smart-Plate® way.
The Pin-Wheel block is a basic beginner block made of simple Half-Square Triangle patches. These are easy to make and with the Kaleidoscope Smart-Plate®, even a beginner can get the central intersecting points to match. Start with a basic Pin-Wheel block, then use the Kaleidoscope Smart-Plate® to trim it at the correct angle to obtain a perfectly sized, traditional Kaleidoscope block.
Whether you are making an 8-patch “kites in the corner” version; a 12-patch “Center Octagon” version; or a combination of the two, the Right-handed and Left-handed guidelines make it quick and easy to make the Kaleidoscope block in finished blocks from 2″ to 6″ with the small, or 7″ to 12″* with the large, Kaleidoscope Smart-Plate® . Now a beginner can be as successful as an experienced quilter when making the Kaleidoscope block, and an experienced quilter can add the Kaleidoscope block to their “quick and easy-blocks” repertoire.
HERE’S BONUS#1!
Mix it up a bit! Use plain squares with Half-Square triangles in a Pin-Wheel variation to open up design possibilities with your altered Kaleidoscope block. Now you can use the block in borders, sashings or overall pattern. Minimize your piecing and maximize the visual effect of your quilts.
HERE’S BONUS #2
Give your blocks a tilt! The tilted block is all the rage, giving a simple block an exciting twist. Not only can you make the Kaleidoscope block with the Patent Pending Kaleidoscope Smart-Plate® , but it will also open up design possibilities when using other blocks trimmed with the Kaleidoscope Smart-Plate® . See what happens when you start with a block as simple as a 4-patch or a 9-patch.
oops!
Unfortunately, mistakes happen. I apologize for any inconvenience they may have caused and ask that you let me know if you find one, so I can correct them for you and everyone else.
Thank you,
Sharon Sebrow
English Garden: (From Kaleidoscope the Smart Way)
Contrary to some of the illustrations, all colored Kaleidoscope points should be the same fabric as the Churn Dash side centers. Please use the actual quilt photo as a guide if needed.
Pink Lemonade: (From Kaleidoscope the Smart Way)
Making the Alternating blocks, only 18, not 36, 4 3/4″ segments are needed from the triple strip-set. Therefore, only 3 strip-sets need to be prepared.
CLASSIC BLUE AND WHITE: (From Kaleidoscope the Smart Way)
Borders for top and bottom should be cut 42 1/2″ to allow for the side borders which would have already been attached.
Yes, a Scrap Quilt: (From Kaleidoscope the Smart Way)
Sue McBride took my Kaleidoscope class at the July 2009 AQS Quilt Expo in Knoxville, TN.She suggests to use a red corner in place of the orange corner pieces that are opposite from the yellow corners in the 4 center blocks of orange and yellow as illustrated in the pattern. Frankly, I agree. Thanks Sue! (Designer used a “reddish-orange” fabric)
What size Half-square triangle should I make?
is one of the most common questions I get.
I know the next question will be, “What size SQUARE do I start with for the size HST I want to make?”
My book contains a reference table with HST sizes for the various sized blocks for the two different versions (8-patch or 12-patch) of the Kaleidoscope blocks. Please click on this link for Extended Table for HST sizes Kaleidoscope blocks.
As noted on the Extended Table, add 3/8″ to the listed UNFINISHED size of the HST you are making. For those of you who are familiar with the “Add 7/8” “, please realize that you would be adding the 7/8” to the FINISHED size, not unfinished.