Kaleidoscope Tutorial

1.6.15

Kaleidoscope tutorial

We recycle printed pages or copies that we no longer need. Starting with an 8.5" x 11" piece of  recycled paper and I use the backside or blank side to draw an 8.5" square. Then draw a line from one corner, diagonal, to another.  Measure a 1" space or 1/2" on either side of the diagonal line. Use a fine point sharpie or pen for this so your lines stay strong when you make your copies.

Print as many pieces of the the drawn pattern or template as you will need to complete a pillow cover, table runner or quilt.  Trim off the excess 2.5" piece, this piece becomes kindling in our house.

Taking that 8.5"x 8.5" square start with your center piece.  I have used up all my muslin scraps. So this time I used black prints that have been cut into 1" strips.   Place the black strip right side facing up centering between the lines. Be sure all your fabric strips are long enough to hang over the edge of the paper  just a bit. 

  

Now place the next scrap piece right side of fabric facing down lining up with the edge of the black piece. This is where you use your evenly trimmed scraps to build your squares.

Stitch 1/4" from the edge using a very short stitch.  You want alot of needle perforation.

Stitch all your blocks with your first two pieces of scraps. This part is the hardest since you have to keep the two strips of fabric lined up with the line. The next steps become easier. Once all the first two pieces are stitched on either side of the black, or center, strip press all your blocks. Ironing/pressing is the important step here or your blocks will not come out even. Continue stitching the strips and pressing until all your blocks are done.  

Turn over and using your rotary cutter and mat trim off excess fabric using the paper square as a guide. 

Those excess scraps are getting used in a different project in my house.  That project will be posted later.

Now here's where a good movie will come in handy as you tear off each and every strip of paper using the stitching as your perforated guideline.  Fold the paper back, score with your finger and tear. This is where short stitches help with removing the paper. I typically leave the paper on until I get ready to stitch the squares together to keep the pieces squared up.  

Lot's of steps so far but well worth it when you lay out your pieces to decide how to stitch them up. The only guide I use is....not to match any fabrics.

Below is the result of parts of several days and evenings plus late nights of watching TV while sorting scraps, stitching, pressing and tearing off paper strips. 

Today I stitch up the block pieced back, again made up from scraps or leftovers from other quilt projects.