I've been making quilts for quite a few years, and every time I create one, I learn something new. This quilt is called a "One Block Wonder." The secret is to stack six layers of fabric on top of each other, line the patterns up perfectly, and then cut the shapes (triangles) through all the layers. When the six triangles are joined, you have a kaleidoscope effect. It's easier than it sounds. In making this quilt I learned that a fabric with a bigger pattern and with a greater variety of colors would have resulted in a more dramatic look. But I think it turned out nice anyhow.
(Click on photos to enlarge.)
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Two groups of three triangles pinned
together to form a pinwheel,
plus a stack waiting for assembly. |
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| Tentative layout |
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| Kaleidoscopes/pinwheels after quilt top assembly |
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The finished quilt measures 52 x 64 inches,
a good size for snuggling under while reading a book. |
Quilters who are curious about this technique can find detailed instructions in a book by Maxine Rosenthal: One Block Wonders
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I really don't know how you quilters do it. Your quilt looks great.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I've always enjoyed sewing and crafting.
DeleteThat quilt looks so beautiful - I wish I had the patience (and time) to create one too.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm retired now so I have more free time.
DeleteI'm with Louise, I don't have the patience for sewing quilts, but your quilt is very eye-catching. Lovely Christmasy colours too :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the combination of red, green, and gold. I gave this quilt to a friend, and I hope she'll enjoy it from autumn through winter.
DeleteI am always amazed by quilting and quilters. Beautiful, Sandy! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! I am definitely impressed, as I am a total klutz when it comes to sewing of any kind. Thanks for sharing...and here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST
ReplyDeleteWe all have different talents. I gather from your books, blog posts, and comments that you have excellent "people" skills. That's a wonderful gift!
DeleteWhat an awesome effect. Piecing these things together often looks easy but it never ends up being quite as easy as you think. Maybe I will try something like this someday for one of my quilts.
ReplyDeleteSean at His and Her Hobbies
The quilt wasn't hard to make, but it did require attention to detail. This one definitely is not perfect!
DeleteI love the look of kaleidoscope quilts! They are almost magical. My post features quilts too! You can check it out here
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your quilt post and I'm looking forward to more.
DeleteExquisite! I'm not a quilter, but your photos here show the intricacy of the craft. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun to put each pinwheel together and then figure out where to place them for the quilt top. I'll make another one of these eventually.
DeleteBeautiful! I can barely sew a button on - lol Very impressive.
ReplyDeleteSue
Book By Book
I love to quilt and yet I haven't done any of it in many years. Beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteI go through stages where I just don't want to quilt. Then I see a design that inspires me, and I'm back to it.
DeleteWhat an interesting quilt. Such a lot of very precise sewing.
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, the pinwheels are rather forgiving. Not all my points matched perfectly, but the pattern is so busy, that doesn't show (I hope!)
DeleteI want one
ReplyDeleteI do all kinds of embroidery, and crochet, but I've never managed to get to grips with quilting - it takes so much patience and precision. My Snapshot is at http://chriscross53.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/mushroomy-things.html
ReplyDeleteI enjoy embroidery and crochet too, but quilting has become my main interest. With the pattern and fabric I've shown here, mistakes aren't as obvious as when solids are used, so precision isn't such a big deal.
DeleteThis quilt is amazing Sandy!! What an effect!
ReplyDeleteThat's a real labor of love! I've made a few quilts over the years, though my real fabric art love is cross-stitch. I also do all my sewing by hand, which makes quilt-making take a lot longer.
ReplyDeleteI used to do a lot of counted cross-stitch and still do occasionally, but quilting is now my hobby of choice. I do almost all of my quilting by machine and admire those who quilt and sew by hand. Those creations are real treasures.
DeleteEven with a machine these require tremendous amount of patience and skill.
ReplyDeleteHats off to you for this!