Making the Kaleidoscope Blocks

Jean wrote:
This is a sample of the Madame Butterfly Opulence fabric that will be used for the center blocks of the lower quilt. Although somewhat dark, it will be set off with the narrow white inserts between it and the Stargazer fabric.


Templates for the Opulence and Stargazer fabrics are cut to size needed for a particular block and then placed randomly on the fabric.



Using a black, narrow tip permanent pen, features of the fabric are copied onto the plastic template.  Then lines are drawn on the fabric around the template.  The fabric is cut out on these lines, leaving a swiss cheese hole in the fabric. The template is then moved to an identical location on another motif and another square piece is marked, matching the hints on the template.

After cutting 4 squares, the template is turned over with the front side down, and the process is repeated for four more squares.

Each set of squares are cut diagonally (one set from right to left, and the reverse set from left to right).

The halves are then matched and sewn to create a unique block.

If you think this is a bit ridiculous, don't blame us.  This is a wondrous idea from Paula Nadelstern, a renowned New York quilter who designed the Opulence fabric and many award winning quilts using this kaleidoscopic technique.