Kaleidoscope quilts

Yesterday I attended Capital Quilters monthly club meeting - one of the local quilting clubs I belong to.  Two kaleidoscope quilts were shown that I would like to share with you.

 

My photo doesn't do this quilt justice because of the window behind.  This quilt has been made by Robyn, who attended my class earlier this year.  The original fabric is made up of Christmas ball decorations so keeping in the Christmas theme she has made something really different.



 

Another member of the Kwilting Katz has had an "0" birthday this month.  There are twelve of us in this group and we chose a fabric from Jason Yenter's Camelot range.  If you are intending to make a Kaleidoscope quilt - do look at his fabric range as they really create the "wow" factor.

 

 I have given my kaleidoscope quilts away so I made this quilt top (lap size) a little while ago as a class sample and have just completed it.  It had a "Dr Suess" feel about it (treeish) - so I have included one of Lorax's quotes. 
" Its not about what it is, its about what it can become"


 So what am I making at the moment.  I have currently three quilts at various stages of construction.  My final (so I have told my friends) kaleidoscope quilt using hexigons, my jelly roll quilt which I haven't touched for a long time and a kaleidoscope quilt made from border fabric, cut into squares & then quartered.  Finding time is my big issue as there are Christmas presents to be made as well as shop samples.  New Zealand quilting symposium is in July next year so I need to get my skates on if I intend to submit anything.

Next year I will be holding technique classes for those new to quilting so I need to design and make these samples as well.

Time is so precious.  Happy quilting :)

Knitting Bag - my latest design

After spending lots of time hunting for a knitting bag, I decided to design my own.  I have used Chunky King Cole Riot (Australian wool / acylic blend) and crochet using a size 4mm hook to ensure my crochet would appear tight.
Inside is made with cotton and bag stiffening.  Flower beads and buttons secure the inner to the outside cover.  I have used large plastic buttons on the bottom to ensure that my wool does not sit on dirty surfaces. Handles are leather.

Kaleidoscope class at Wellington Sewing Serivces

Day two of our kaleidoscope class at Wellington Sewing Services.  In my previous post (1st September) you can see the orginal fabrics and the students blocks forming.
Today we played around with various layouts and selected fabrics to boarder their masterpieces with.  Just so exciting to see these quilts coming together.

 

kaleidoscope quilt

 

One of my students popped into the shop today to show me her completed kaleidoscope quilt.

 

 

Notice the binding?  She didn't have enough border fabric to completely bind her quilt so she has cleverly scattered the theme fabric randomly in the binding.

I love clever ideas.

Hexagons

Working with all sorts of fibres - sometimes its just nice to make something a little different.  A small project that has taken a couple to months (when I have a spare moment) - I have knitted hexagons using King Cole Riot wool to make a throw cushion for my dinning room.

Was a lot of fun - something different and on a small scale.
Now back to quilting.  Starting to work on my FINAL- yes my FINAL kaleidoscope quilt.
:)

Meshwork Class at Krazy Cow

Another sucessful class at Krazy Cow Levin yesterday.
Note how the light colours make the babyblocks "ping"

 This student came back for a second class session and challenged herself to making the star block.

Kaleidoscope - Wellington Sewing Serivces

It doesn't matter how many Kaleidoscope classes I teach, I still get excited watching the formation of spinning blocks.  Here are samples from yesterday's class below.

 

 Happy stitching

Japanese Meshwork - Made on Marion

Its very rewarding when your students get excited about their creations at the end of a class.  Here are some of the blocks made in today's class at Made on Marion.

Note the effect created by using two colour ways for the top of the block.

Happy meshing....

Japanese Meshwork - Student samples

I get excited when I see students work after they have attended my classes.  Quite often they show me something I haven't tried before and I just love their enthusiasm. 

These are Christine's class samples (Cherry Pie class).  The visual effect she has made by using black and white stripped fabric is awesome and really creates interest.

Looks like her friends and family will be getting meshwork gifts for Christmas.

Its not just the technique - its your choice of fabrics that can generate the Wow factor.
Happy meshing.

kaleidoscope classes - Cherry Pie

The Hope Center in Levin was the venue for my two classes for Bernina Cherry Pie over the weekend so we had plenty of space.  We were really spoilt with Lynette making us lunch - bonus..
Saturday was Kaleidoscope day two class which was laying out the sewn blocks.  These photos don't do these quilts justice.  The two bottom quilts (above) have been made from the same fabric and they did really look different.  I'm looking forward to seeing these quilts completed on the 2nd December.

Sunday was a Kaleidoscope Day One class which the staff from Cherry Pie & clients attended.  Lots of laughter and again Lynette made us lunch.
The pictures below show student's fabrics and their blocks forming.  Lots of spinning and wow factor appearing here.  I'm looking forward to day two in December when we will be laying out these quilts.

 And of course Lunch :)

Sewing these spinning blocks is really exciting.  If you haven't tried it - then put this quilt on your to do list.