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How to make Kaleidoscopes
I love kaleidoscopes! They are so pretty and each one is unique!
Making kaleidoscopes may seem hard but it really isn't. If you take the
time to be careful the process is no harder than sewing a nine patch together.
And the results are beautiful and one of a kind. When you use fun fabrics the
designs can often be very interesting! You never know how your design will
look until you have it all sewn together! Surprise! Surprise!
You can see more of my kaleidoscopes on www.patchworkbyrhonda.com
When you visit my online store just click on quilt blocks to see the kaleidoscopes.
Here are two that I made from the same fabric.
 
8 1/2" across 8 1/2" across
This is the fabric these two lovely things came from. You can make as many
differant ones as you can find room for with your template on the fabric.
You can see where I cut out the sections. The back of the fabric shows
through where I cut out because I had the fabric folded when I took the
picture.
Choosing your fabric
When you look at fabric for kaleidoscopes you need to see some features
that can be repeated. Most fabrics repeat the pattern every few inches. This
will vary per fabric. I usually find about 6 repeats in half a yard. In the fabric
above you can see a clump of leaves and red flowers in the lower left. Look
up to the upper right and you can see the same clump of leaves and flowers.
This is what I mean by a repeat.
Here is the template I used. I trace the pattern onto the template
creates a circle of 10 sections so I can lay it on the next repeat accurately
 
I use a fine point sharpie to trace the fabric. After you are done with it then you
can use an eraser and erase the trace marks. Now you can go on to the next one.
You can print this page off and cut out the template. I use a clear sheet of template
plastic. Trace the template onto the plastic and then cut it out. Make sure you trace and
cut as accurately as possible. I buy EZ quilter's plastic template sheets.
You can go to www.ezquilt.com to order.
If you want to practice before committing to fabric use paper. I use copy paper.
Just lay your template on the paper and trace it out. I fold the paper and cut
several at one time. Just make sure your paper doesn't slip or your paper templates
won't be accurate. You can sew and iron paper just like fabric. Don't leave the iron on
the paper too long!
Trouble shooting
If you have trouble with your kaleidoscope not laying flat- take a look at the
seams if your sections are too wavy towards the top - sew along the seam of one
of the sections at the top to make the seam a little tighter. You may need to
tighten more than one section(seam). If it is too wavy at the bottom then tighten
the bottom half of your seam(s). Keep in mind wha ever changes you make to your
seams will affect the look of the kaleidoscope so even out your changes if you can.
If you only need to tighten two seams then choose seams across from each other
not beside each other. The slight differance in the design will be less noticeable on
the front.
Here you can see where I tightened the seams
Try some designs for yourself and have fun using them in your
next project!
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