Saturday, January 16, 2016

A New Kaleidoscope

Three of us decided to have a quilting day and we chose to play with kaleidoscopes: sophisticated fabrics for Gayle, whimsical for Joni, and a bright mix for me. Each of us brought a good selection then spent the day laughing, sewing and discussing. Gayle made a delicious bean soup for lunch. Joni brought a wonderful salad. I brought my appetite. Oops.

Kaleidoscope wedges by Gayle, Joni, and me.

This is some of what we finished by day's end. The biggest surprise was how much better all of our blocks looked together than individually. It emphasized the need to mix values and vibrancy.

Continuing my monarch butterfly theme, I plan to use orange, yellow and black... along with other colors, of course. I was determined to use this fabric - Tribal Lace Mountain by Zandra Rhodes for Free Spirit. It worked better once I decided to semi-fussy cut the strips.

One of the large scale fabrics
used in my kaleidoscope was
Tribal Lace Mountain by Zandra Rhodes for Free Spirit.

Can you find it in the blocks below?

Some potential kaleidoscope layouts. 

Here's my progress at the end of day two...

Day 2 progress.
and after day three.

Day 3 progress.
Enjoy the day, Ann

20 comments:

LA Paylor said...

how fun. It's like a surprise when they get seamed together. And I love to sew with friends, to see how theirs comes out too. LeeAnna

Kaja said...

Wow - great progress. I love how the Tribal Lace Mountain looks once you have cut it up.

JoniStrother said...

Fond memories of a great day! I'm crazy about your zany print. You are my pattern-mixing hero, Ann!

Mystic Quilter said...

Seems to be lots of kaleidoscopes around at the moment - I love them. Your blocks are so colourful and the Zandra Rhodes fabric is amazing, I see there ab out four colour ways and other designs - I shall try and see if they are available on line.

linda said...

What you add in the corners can make a big difference in your optical illusion. I was also surprised at what happened when changing values on alternate blocks. IMG_1700.jpeg

gayle said...

I love your kaleidoscopes! I've just started playing with them, myself - yours are very inspirational!

Ann said...

It was such a fun and relaxing day. Sewing with friends and discussing/discovering new arrangements was so enlightening. This design is very attractive to me these day.

Ann said...

It certainly looks different when it's cut up. A good reminder of one of the many ways to use these fabulous, large-scale prints.

Ann said...

What a happy day that was! So many lovely memories.

Ann said...

Her fabric works so well in this design. Isn't it great how well a large scale print can enliven a design? I hope you find some soon, Maureen. You're sure to do something fabulous with it.

Ann said...

That is so true, Linda. Cutting the fabric is only the first step. It's great fun to move the wedges around; almost endless possibilities.

Ann said...

Your fabrics are so interesting, Gayle. Playtime with this design! Hooray.

Mary Marcotte said...

Wow! What a fun time and so much progress! Y'all all have such fun prints. I imagine it would be fun to see how your friends' fabric choices come out, too. I'll have to give kaleidoscopes a go soon. These look too good not to want to try!

Ann said...

Kaleidoscopes are making the rounds right now. I hope my friends post theirs, too. It is very fun to see what a difference the fabric choices make.

Lara B. said...

That sounds like the most fun day Ann! It looks like you've made terrific progress and this is going to be another adventurous and exciting quilt!

Ann said...

Thanks, Lara. It was fun... Almost as much as visiting the new grandbaby! Congratulations again on Eden's arrival.

Stephie said...

Oh Ann the Zandra Rhodes is perfect for butterfly wings! I'm envious that you can get together with quilting friends - no one close to home here :( (I love that you brought your appetite, haha!!!)

Ann said...

It's pretty wild but once you think about cutting it up there see so many ways. I'm glad I put it in.
Isn't there a sewing or crafting group near you? These are new friends. Always good to interact with fun people.

Ulla's Quilt World said...

That is so lovely! :)
Greetings from Finland!
Hugs, Ulla

Ann said...

Kiitos, Ulla. I'm glad you like it. Thanks for writing.