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Kool Kaleidoscope Lessons

Ricky Tims' Kool Kaleidoscope quilt is a popular and very fun method for making a kaleidoscopic quilt without fussy cutting individual fabric prints. This strip-piece quilt is quick and easy and great for advanced beginners and beyond.

The kaleidoscope portion of the quilt measures 36" prior to adding borders, but can be adapted for any size once you understand the process. It is the ultimate mystery quilt in that no two are ever alike (the "kit" photos in the video are representative of the colorways only - your quilt will be different based on your fabric placement.

Ricky LIVE | Ricky Tims LIVE | Ricky Facebook LIVE | YouTube LIVE | Ricky Class | Ultimate Mystery Quilt | Mystery Quilt

  • The Journey Begins:  Helpful hints for making the starter strata sets
  • The Road Map:  Drafting your original pattern and cutting units
  • Almost Home:  Assembling your Kool Kaleidoscope
  • Arrived:  Border suggestions that will make your Kool Kaleidoscope pop
Ricky Tims
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Kool Kaleidoscope - Lesson 01 - Making Strata

Kool Kaleidoscope - Lesson 01 - Making Strata

In this lesson, Ricky gets you started making the strata that will make this quilt come together. An advanced beginner can make this quilt with Ricky's great instructions.

Kool Kaleidoscope - Lesson 02 - Drafting & Cutting

Kool Kaleidoscope - Lesson 02 - Drafting & Cutting

You made your strata in Lesson 1. You do not need a pattern. In this lesson, Ricky shows you how to draft your own pattern and start your cutting.

Kool Kaleidoscope - Lesson 03 - Putting the Pieces Together

Kool Kaleidoscope - Lesson 03 - Putting the Pieces Together

It's time to assemble your Kool Kaleidoscope Quilt. Ricky has the tips, techniques, and advice to help you make your quilt come together beautifully.

Kool Kaleidoscope - Lesson 04 - Borders Make it Shine

Kool Kaleidoscope - Lesson 04 - Borders Make it Shine

In the final lesson for the Kool Kaleidoscope class, Ricky has some border suggestions, tips, and tricks that will make your quilt POP!

Kool Kaleidoscope - Lesson 01 - Making Strata

Kool Kaleidoscope Supply List

CC CHANCE
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Hi, Y'All - I have a pretty florette center in my kaleidoscope! I know I have to be brave and trim but will it twirl and flatten? Don't see how to send the visual but any suggestions??

  1. 0
Carleen Brock
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Any suggestions on quilting patterns?

  1. 0
Joan Holland
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

I am STUCK. I have a piece that will not fit. It looks good with the paper, but when I go to sew the pieces together it seems to be missing a 1/4 seam. However it was definitely added to the pattern piece. I was asked to post pictures of...

I am STUCK. I have a piece that will not fit. It looks good with the paper, but when I go to sew the pieces together it seems to be missing a 1/4 seam. However it was definitely added to the pattern piece. I was asked to post pictures of the problem. I'm trying to do that now. Is this the place?

Read More
  1. 0
Lucinda Veit
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

I am a tad confused about the “no perpendicular” with the edge side, as the sample with wedge one appears to be at 90 degrees with the strata. Did I misunderstand, or is it the angle of the camera?

Really excited about the mystery result, but I...

I am a tad confused about the “no perpendicular” with the edge side, as the sample with wedge one appears to be at 90 degrees with the strata. Did I misunderstand, or is it the angle of the camera?

Really excited about the mystery result, but I do want to understand this tip before I start cutting!

Read More
  1. 0
Marilyn Martin
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Coming from Nokomis FL. So excited to be with you today. Exciting fabrics waiting to be sewn into stratas. Thank you for this awesome project.

  1. 0
vcmarshall
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

I have the same issue as Ann Ford I'm in rural area and utube freezes often are there written instructions and if so where can I find them.

  1. 0
Ann Ford    vcmarshall
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Sadly, I think the answer is that the written instructions are in Ricky's book on this subject.

Even more sadly, having now watched the second class, this is just way too complicated for me. I love complicated patterns, but I prefer them to...

Sadly, I think the answer is that the written instructions are in Ricky's book on this subject.

Even more sadly, having now watched the second class, this is just way too complicated for me. I love complicated patterns, but I prefer them to be printed foundations for paper piecing. Without a million decisions to be made.

There are no black and white directions. There are too many decisions, too many choices!!! I dont want to have to decide what sizes to cut my strips - I want to be told. I dont want to have to cut out templates that I have to draw first. And then have to decide where to place them on the fabric. I want to be told. And I dont care if mine is identical to everyone else's.

So even though I bought the kit, this will probably never even be started, If I had any idea how hard this was going to going to be, what the process was for this quilt, I would never have bought the kit.

Big sigh, sad face.

Read More
  1. 0
Ruth-Ellen Flanagan    vcmarshall
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

You can buy the DVD or you can buy the book. I bought the Kindle Version of the book and it pretty much follows what he has talked about so far.

  1. 0
Jackie Bevilacqua
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

I get to search through my stash now! so Exciting!!!

  1. 0
Sharon Palmer
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

When you mentioned 5 strata pairs, are all the pairs from the same fabrics or do use different fabrics for each pair?

  1. 0
Kathie    Sharon Palmer
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Each pair is identical, but the will be 5 different stratas.

  1. 0
Terri Saarinen
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Lots of information today! I need to re-watch and take notes. Thank you for sharing your expertise and teaching Kool Kaleidoscope. My warm fabric starter kit is on its way from TQS Store! Can’t wait to get started!

  1. 0
Sharon Archambault
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Thanks for the on-line lesson. Great info and suggestions for fabric placement in the strata. Like you I'll look forward to seeing posts of the quilts.

  1. 0
There are no comments posted here yet
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CC CHANCE
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Hi, Y'All - I have a pretty florette center in my kaleidoscope! I know I have to be brave and trim but will it twirl and flatten? Don't see how to send the visual but any suggestions??

  1. 0
Carleen Brock
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Any suggestions on quilting patterns?

  1. 0
Joan Holland
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

I am STUCK. I have a piece that will not fit. It looks good with the paper, but when I go to sew the pieces together it seems to be missing a 1/4 seam. However it was definitely added to the pattern piece. I was asked to post pictures of...

I am STUCK. I have a piece that will not fit. It looks good with the paper, but when I go to sew the pieces together it seems to be missing a 1/4 seam. However it was definitely added to the pattern piece. I was asked to post pictures of the problem. I'm trying to do that now. Is this the place?

Read More
  1. 0
Lucinda Veit
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

I am a tad confused about the “no perpendicular” with the edge side, as the sample with wedge one appears to be at 90 degrees with the strata. Did I misunderstand, or is it the angle of the camera?

Really excited about the mystery result, but I...

I am a tad confused about the “no perpendicular” with the edge side, as the sample with wedge one appears to be at 90 degrees with the strata. Did I misunderstand, or is it the angle of the camera?

Really excited about the mystery result, but I do want to understand this tip before I start cutting!

Read More
  1. 0
Marilyn Martin
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Coming from Nokomis FL. So excited to be with you today. Exciting fabrics waiting to be sewn into stratas. Thank you for this awesome project.

  1. 0
vcmarshall
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

I have the same issue as Ann Ford I'm in rural area and utube freezes often are there written instructions and if so where can I find them.

  1. 0
Ann Ford    vcmarshall
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Sadly, I think the answer is that the written instructions are in Ricky's book on this subject.

Even more sadly, having now watched the second class, this is just way too complicated for me. I love complicated patterns, but I prefer them to...

Sadly, I think the answer is that the written instructions are in Ricky's book on this subject.

Even more sadly, having now watched the second class, this is just way too complicated for me. I love complicated patterns, but I prefer them to be printed foundations for paper piecing. Without a million decisions to be made.

There are no black and white directions. There are too many decisions, too many choices!!! I dont want to have to decide what sizes to cut my strips - I want to be told. I dont want to have to cut out templates that I have to draw first. And then have to decide where to place them on the fabric. I want to be told. And I dont care if mine is identical to everyone else's.

So even though I bought the kit, this will probably never even be started, If I had any idea how hard this was going to going to be, what the process was for this quilt, I would never have bought the kit.

Big sigh, sad face.

Read More
  1. 0
Ruth-Ellen Flanagan    vcmarshall
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

You can buy the DVD or you can buy the book. I bought the Kindle Version of the book and it pretty much follows what he has talked about so far.

  1. 0
Jackie Bevilacqua
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

I get to search through my stash now! so Exciting!!!

  1. 0
Sharon Palmer
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

When you mentioned 5 strata pairs, are all the pairs from the same fabrics or do use different fabrics for each pair?

  1. 0
Kathie    Sharon Palmer
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Each pair is identical, but the will be 5 different stratas.

  1. 0
Terri Saarinen
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Lots of information today! I need to re-watch and take notes. Thank you for sharing your expertise and teaching Kool Kaleidoscope. My warm fabric starter kit is on its way from TQS Store! Can’t wait to get started!

  1. 0
Sharon Archambault
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site

Thanks for the on-line lesson. Great info and suggestions for fabric placement in the strata. Like you I'll look forward to seeing posts of the quilts.

  1. 0
There are no comments posted here yet
Load More
Please login to leave a comment.