Need: tips and hints for KOOL KALEIDESCOPE

[Alex A.]

I am pulling fabric from my stash for the KOOL KALEIDESCOPE... ..does anyone have tips or hints to make a great one??? My colors are turquoise, blues, greens, yellow, pink and fucshia...

Anything I should know when making the pattern / strada etc...

who has made this pattern? any problems to avoid?

[Alex A.]

Be sure to add the narrow high contrast strips. They really make the quilt sing. When you cut your first wedge piece- the center one- make sure it is not a fabric that changes colors throughout the strip. You will have lots of seams in the center so you want either a very busy print or a same color "reads as a solid" to camoflage the center points.
Mostly just have fun. Don't over think. Ricky says,"Just trust the system." Betty Ann maker of many Kaleidoscopes

[Alex A.]

YOUR KK looks great....how large the widest strips... how skinny the skinnest....Do you put the dark highlight strips next to the focus fabric or just anywhere for the best effect?

Ladyrags

[Susan B.]

Geez BettyAnnSeeman
All of your quilts are GorgeouS!!!

[Susan B.]

Thanks Betty Ann

[Susan B.]

I had a limited amt. of yardage on hand so I used repeats of the same fabric. I just trusted the system and it went together beautifully. I love the way it turned out.

[Susan B.]

Here on TQS you will find some really Kool Kaleidoscopes. Go to Gallery, Then Show and Tell, Then Kool Kaleidoscopes. You will find many different looks created with the same set of instructions. On your computer screen block off all but one wedge with sheets of paper. Then study the placement of the strip within each template. This should give you some idea of how the high contrast areas effect the over all work. Don't over think. The repeats create the design. Just do it. Betty Ann

[Susan B.]

Planning on it... I started pulling my fabrics.


My DD is helping me.... we are getting into a few DISCUSSIONS about the fabric choices... We pulled a lot of my very brights fabrics ( She calls them loud) in turquoise, green, fuscia, yellow, teal... I wanted navy for my dark and I have some pale pastel of all the shades for my lights... I wanted to put batiks into the mix as I thought I had several that would blend.... BUT SHE NIXED the navy and the batiks... said," THEY ARE TOO DULL and washed out next to the BRIGHTS."

I have been looking for some darks that would blend better with the fabrics I have; I am just not sure what colors will blend... I have swatches that I am bringing to the stores.

What are good colors for very BRIGHT BLENDERS and those type of fabrics?



I did not realize til today that I gave birth to a QUILT POLICE!!! at least when it comes to color and fabric choices!!!

[Susan B.]

:lol: :lol: :lol: I can't help you with colors, but I sure got a big giggle this morning from your comment about giving birth to a quilt police. I needed that laugh. Sandi in FL

[Susan B.]

Anna's story reminds me of my own DD, and mades me think of a time, not long ago when I was shopping in the sale room through a collection of Nancy Halverson fabrics & needed some lights in a very medium collection. Another customer stopped by, critiqued my choices, pulled my "lights" out & offered another medium, said my choices didn't "go." Shocked, I just said, that well, now, I just strongly disagreed with her, at which point, she promptly looked at me, paused, and told me to have a good time picking fabrics, turned around and walked off. I thanked her kindly.

Picking colors is like talking about the certain topics that aren't allowed on quilt forums. I do listen carefully to the pros talk about color and value, but life is too short to be using fabric combinations that hurt our teeth.

Thanks to Betty Ann, we discovered the online color wheel at
http://kuler.adobe.com/

[Susan B.]

I personally have a hard time mixing style of fabrics.... ie repro, cw, 30s & 40s, blenders, florals in the same quilt.... even in my scrappy quilts I can not mix them together.... If I make a scrappy quilt I control the fabrics... ie all florals... all civil war maybe with Thimbleberries cause they are all muted .... I can not put muted fabrics with clear colors... to me it does not work....

I am not sure I can even mix various color of green ... ( I never remember if that mean shades, tones, or hues) ie olive with blue tone greens, yellow greens, etc.


I guess this is personal opinion and decisions but I like the discussions that arise on this board... they give rise to thought and creativity.

[Linda H.]

I personally have a hard time mixing style of fabrics.... ie repro, cw, 30s & 40s, blenders, florals in the same quilt.... even in my scrappy quilts I can not mix them together.... If I make a scrappy quilt I control the fabrics... ie all florals... all civil war maybe with Thimbleberries cause they are all muted .... I can not put muted fabrics with clear colors... to me it does not work....

Thank goodness....I'm not the only one! <LOL>
Ladyrags, I'm the same way when it comes to mixing fabrics. I signed up for a scrap quilt class at a shop because I loved the instructors quilt. When it came time for me to take the class the teacher was very surprised to see all my scraps blended! She teased me a little, but allowed me to use them and I was happy with the finished product. I watched others use *everything* and I'm sure they loved their quilts, but I didn't. One of the store clerks told me she was just like me and was supportive throughout the classes letting me know i wasn't doing anything *wrong*...just different
I entered this discussion because I want to be supportive to you. I strongly feel you have to do what YOU like if the quilt is for you. Do what your DD likes only if it's going to be hers. Good Luck I hope you find fabrics that make your heart sing.