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Thursday, September 11, 2008

Kaliedoscope Number 2


This morning I put the borders on Scrap Therapy. I would have loaded it onto the frame for quilting but I don't have a big enough piece of batting.

Here are the basic steps for making the hexagon quilt. If you want to try it, I would highly recommend buying the book, One Block Wonders or the one I have, One Block Wonders Encore.

First of all you find some suitable fabric. You can test it by holding two mirrors at a sixty degree angle to each other on the fabric. You will be able to see what sort of patterns you will get. This is a gorgeous Japanese fabric that I got at Blue Bamboo in Minneapolis.
You cut each repeat of the pattern until you have six layers. You pin these very carefully matching the patterns exactly.


Cut the fabric in 3 3/4 inch strips from selvege to selvege.


Cut each strip into triangles using a 60 degree ruler.


Arrange the triangles into a circle with the straight grain to the bottom. of each triangle.


Sew the triangles into half hexagons and pin them on the middle where they will eventually be sewn together.


Put them up on the design wall and enjoy them until you have hundreds made. Then you have the fun of finding the perfect layout. You sew them in long strips and then down the middle where they were pinned. I'll show that step when I get to it, but it will be awhile.

10 comments:

Paula, the quilter said...

I love the fabric you are using. The hexs are coming out so beautiful and varied.

jovaliquilts said...

Beautiful fabric, and thanks for the instructions. I definitely want to try something like this, probably after the holidays.

I love the Blue Bamboo stuff, but I ordered some fat quarters from them once and they were all short. I was really disappointed.

Your scrappy quilt top looks great!

Trisha said...

Fun to see how it comes together!

Donna said...

great fabric for this project!

Myra said...

Wonderful fabric Joyce! There are so many variations to be had there! Wow! Good for you! 8-)

Faith said...

Thankyou for showing this.. my book finally came through, all I have to do now is get a 60 degree triangle ruler and wait to get some fabric that I really like that I would enjoy. Me and Jim are hoping to go to the Halloween Quilt fair at the end of October as part of my birthday treat, so hopefully Ill get some fabric then.

Darcie said...

Wow...looks like you're going to get lots of fun combinations with your fabric! Thanks for the tutorial.

I love your scrap therapy. Speaking of batting...a client of mine just sent a batting with bamboo in its contents! She purchased it from Joanns. I can't wait to pull it out and use it!

Happy weekend, Joyce!

Quilter Going Bananas said...

All those kaliedoscopes came from the same absolutely gorgeous fabric? Wow! Can't wait to see the finished top Joyce. Keep up the good work!

meggie said...

Wow, it is looking great. I have some rather ugly fabric that just might look good in that design

Lise said...

Your how to, is great, this makes me want to start one too...lol but I have to wait til I can get settled in and find my sewing stuff..thanks for sharing...Lise