August 16th, 2013

Kaleidoscope Quilt

by Julie Hirt

Sweet, sweet, victory.  That’s how I feel about this quilt.

Kaleidoscope Quilt 627handworks (1)

This was the first time I’ve made quilt blocks with linen.  I starched the crap out of it.  Not sure if it was necessary, but I did anyway.

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It’s also the first time I’ve done rows of straight line quilting. These are spaced at 1″ and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.

Breepickles suggested quilting concentric circles, which would have been awesome, but I’m not comfortable doing that yet. Feel I should play with that style before attempting an entire quilt.

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Quilting:
Aurifil’s Medium Turquoise (#5006) cotton in 50 wt matched the backing perfectly.  Then I used my absolute favorite color, Platinum (#2912) for the front. The Platinum blends into the Kaufman yarn-dyed linen and doesn’t take away from the bright quilting cottons.

I figured as long as I used the same weight of thread for the top and bobbin, it was okay to use 2 different colors.

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Crinkles make me happy.

It does annoy me when when the fabric in some straight line quilting twists and turns between the rows. Luckily I got away without that happening and I didn’t switch directions between rows. Nope!  I’m a rebel.

My machine (Janome Memory Craft 6600p) has a really nice built in walking foot so all the layers stayed put.  To be honest, I think not switching directions between rows helped prevent that twisty-turny that bothers me so.

Rows of straight line quilting doesn’t freak me out now that I’ve done it. Next time I’d like to try skinnier rows or random spacing.

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Pattern:
I was super late to the Kaleidoscope party at Don’t Call Me Betsy’s. I didn’t use the templates but I did use her fabric requirements as well as strip sizes.

I cut 6.5″ strips of fabric and used the 30 degree mark on my ruler to cut the triangles.  Elizabeth has a template if you are not comfortable doing that. I also used my ruler for the corner triangles, but she provides a template for that too!

Layout:
Alternate blocks of 8 prints and blocks with 4 prints & 4 solids.  All corners are solid.

If you make one, definitely play and look at pictures first. Some people make all their blocks using alternating solid/print with some of the corners a print.  Then lay them out all the same, while others rotate every other block. There really are tons of options!

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I used more of the Kaufman linen for the hand stitched binding. Linen has such a nice texture and it just makes me feel all fancy.

The backing is Free Spirit’s voile in Mist from Cucire.  I heart, heart, heart it. Soooo soft.  After loving it on the back of a baby quilt, I decided to spoil myself.

And, of course, I added a label. I used to embroider them, but this works well too.  You can order labels and save 5% using code 627handworks at Ikaprint! *wink wink*

Kaleidoscope Quilt 627handworks (7)

It measures 72″ x 60″ which is great for the sofa and I’m keeping it for myself (shocker).   Let’s see if any of my family members can pry it from my hands. Doubt it.

Oh… I spray basted it. I’ve never pinned.  Is my quilty membership revoked now?

julie

 

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38 Responses to “Kaleidoscope Quilt”

  1. Gah! I am halfway through quilting a quilt like you have done and mine has gone all wonky!!! I starched the top, spray AND pin basted, used my walking foot and it has still gone wonky! I have quilt and quilting envy hehe! 😉

  2. I love it! Love the linen, love the straight line quilting (I haven’t done straight lines as close as yours are, but I also don’t switch directions and find it works out better). And I love the turquoise backing! I just finished two quilts with turquoise backing too, one in voile (a print) and I loooove how it feels and one in a solid turquoise (but not voile). Great colour in your quilt!

  3. This is gorgeous Julie! I spray baste too! It turned out awesome!

  4. Definitely not 😉 I don’t know if I’m quite a “quilter” yet, but I have yet to pin baste and I don’t mind it at all. What a beautiful mix of colors in this quilt too.

  5. I love this!! I’ve wanted to do a kaleidoscope for a long time, and now you’ve lit a fire under me… Like I haven’t got enough to do!

  6. Bravo, Julie! Okay, that’s it, I’m using your coupon code to get me some labels! Woo!

  7. Congratulations absolutely beautiful quilt. I love linen and what a combination with voile I can see why you want to keep it!!!

  8. Beautiful colors! Just for the record I don’t think switching directions between rows is helpful.

  9. You spray basted only? No pinning? Wow. THAT is impressive. I’m too scared to try it. Beautiful results! And the linen is lovely.

  10. Just beautiful!! Gorgeous colours!

  11. This turned out lovely! I’m a huge fan of straight line quilting and I never switch direction either :)

  12. If you get kicked out for spray basting, I’ll be right on your heels :-) The quilt looks great, and thanks for the info about the labels. I was curious enough that I was going to ask how you got them. Enjoy keeping a quilt for yourself!

  13. This quilt is stunning! I really like the straight line quilting! I always send my quilts out to be quilted. …This is an interesting and really works with the quilt design.

  14. i’m working on a kaleidoscope quilt now. yours turned out beautiful!

  15. Wow, you did a fantastic job! Where did you get the tag for the quilt made, I would love to get some!

  16. It turned out beautiful! I just love that linen mixed with the bright colors. That size is so perfect–not too big for quilting, perfect for snuggles, small children, travel, etc!

  17. This is so pretty! The grey really allows the colors to POP! Nice finish!

  18. Crinkles make me happy too! Love this quilt and linen IS fancy. Very nice work!

  19. It came out beautifully!! I love straight line quilting.

  20. Love this quilt! Gorgeous!!! Beautiful quilting, too!
    What does your tag say below your name?

  21. One more question about the tag:
    What size is the one on this quilt?
    It is the perfect size!

  22. Julie, this turned out beautiful, love all the colors! Don’t blame you for not wanting to give it up to family. LOL thanks for sharing it.

  23. This quilt is really gorgeous, Julie! I love the brights against the gray!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

  24. Simply divine! Sew, sew fine! Love it! And the quilting is my favourite part…. The top of a long list. Congrats, Julie!

  25. Julie! This is awesome. I love the colors, the linen and the turquoise back are perfect. I have got to do one of these. Just love the scrappiness.

  26. This is beautiful! Wow! Just wow!

  27. I just love this julie – especially the bright pops of blue! The quilting looks fabulous.
    xo jan

  28. Ugh, the fabric envy is killing me! It sure is pretty, though.

  29. It’s beautiful! And I don’t pin, either – shh! It can be our little secret. : )

  30. This may be a post from a few years ago, but I’ve just come across it and I want to say that this quilt is stunning! I’m going to have a look for the original templates and quilt along party. Been meaning to do a kaleidoscope quilt for ages now.

  31. You are funny!
    I would love to make this quilt. How difficult an undertaking is it?

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