Friday, February 3, 2012

Playing with a new idea..........

This is a pile of leftover Kaleidoscope wedges from a demo I did with the last class.  I dug them out because I wondered if they would work on a project I wanted to start.  One of the blogs I read is nifty quiltsClick here and go see what she has on her design wall and then I'll explain where these wedges come into the picture.
I have the same book as she has so I could go to it to see the inspiration quilt.  I emailed her and asked if she was strip piecing and cutting wedges. I knew most people doing this pattern are piecing it one strip at a time on paper like she said she is doing.  I figured if you need 8 wedges alike why not strip piece it, cut it with a Kaleidoscope ruler and add it on all in one chunk.  She encouraged me to write a blog post about my idea.
I photocopied it in black and white so I could draw the seam lines with a red pen to see how the pattern evolves.  Then since my wedges were already made I had to work backwards for the measurement of the center piece between 2 wedges.  I cut a square I thought would be a finished size and and cut it corner to corner both directions (for 4 triangles) and then drew the center piece in and added the seam allowances and then cut it out.
I have it almost right.  I went to the basement and got my black and white leftover scraps from a Strips n Curves quilt and pieced onto them and then cut out the shape.  I need a tiny bit more seam allowance so that means it's a little too small.  I will probably just make a small quilt from the wedges I have and use a totally different group of fabrics if I make the real quilt.  The planning and figuring out is the fun (and sometimes frustrating) part.

20 comments:

Sewing Junkie said...

Looks ike you are making good progress. All the leftovers do pay off. Foggy and icey here good day to stay in and sew. Chris

Clare said...

Liberated String Quilts is my favourite book. Looking forward to following your progress.

fiberchick said...

One of my favorite books too... Your quilt is going to look great.

Unknown said...

Yes, that is definitely a fantastic way to do it with the kale do ruler. I think that LeeAnn's way is a great way to do it if you would like it scrappier. Can't wait to see yours!

Lynne said...

I agree with the planning being the fun (and frustrating) part!

HollyM said...

That certainly looks like an easier way to do it. I did a kaleidoscope quilt by string piecing on a background and it got very tiresome. I ended up making it smaller.
I must look for the ruler.

Debbie said...

Leave it to you to figure out an easier way and achieve great results. And use up those leftovers. Can't wait to see what develops.

Susan said...

Very pretty! I have a similar idea for my bag of strings. I hope to get started on a few blocks this weekend. I'll let you know if my idea works out the same in fabric as it does in my head!

hetty said...

Interesting! Can't wait to see it. I love the planning and figuring part too. But often I lose interest in the quilt once I have it figured out.

I Quilt for Fun said...

I love this. I'm working on Paperweights by Aardvark Quilts and it's this pattern using a special kite template. I only have 2 done but all my strips are cut and making a few more is a goal for February. In the case of that quilt, there are pinwheels in the center so you need two sets of strips with different fabrics for the center. It's put together in full units so there are inset seams but it absolutely could be done in strips if you have a design wall big enough since color placement is important. Can't wait to see your progress. Jan

Quiltdivajulie said...

I had the very same thought about strip piecing and using the Kaleidoscope ruler ... I'm watching closely to see how you handle this (and I TOTALLY agree about the fun of figuring it out and pulling the fabrics being FUN).

Nifty Quilts said...

Thank you, Wanda!! I've been experimenting with your idea, and will have something to show in a few days. I don't have the Kaleidoscope ruler, but made my own template from the triangle minus the kite plus 1/4". I was struggling with the quilt, but am now having fun!

imquilternity said...

I'm anxious to see your progress on this Kaleidoscope ruler idea. I've been cutting strips for that very same quilt and I can already see how tedious it will become doing all that string pieceing. Especially since I'm presently working on a string quilt. But, they are always so beautiful, it's hard not to want to make one. I know yours will be gorgeous and it will definitely say "Wanda" when you are done. That's what is so much fun about watching the way you work.

Anonymous said...

Oh my ~ what a challenge !

J~MT

Cathi said...

I can't wait to see your small quilt like this, let alone what the bigger one may be like! What a fabulous quilt design!

Karen said...

What a great post! Thanks for sharing your ideas - can't wait to see the finished creation.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Well, I'm sure it will be pretty. Those fabrics would be hard pressed to turn into anything ugly. LOL

Purple Pam said...

Again, I love to watch your thought process and the wonderful projects that you come up with at the end. Fabulous mind you have!

Sujata Shah said...

That looks fabulous! love your scrappy version!

Jean said...

I saw your March 7 post, so had to go back in time to the beginning to see what you were doing! this is a great idea...I have done this block as a string quilt, but great way to use your leftover wedges. The black and white prints will really set this off!