Monday, September 30, 2019

Pickle's Kaleidoscope--It's Child's Play


I just want to say that the Island Batik September challenge project, Child's Play, has probably been the most challenging project on all levels.  But that is a good thing, it taught me design wise, I can do it.



The challenge was to create a children's themed quilt using the Block on Board die provided to us by Accuquilt and using any of the fabrics sent to us by Island Batik.  Sounds innocent enough.  The block I received in my ambassador box was the Spider Web Block for the Go! Cutter.



Picture from the Accuquilt website

What is a Block on Board die?  The idea behind these dies is actually quite ingenious.  This die will allow you to cut all the pieces needed for a bock with one die.  I absolutely love the concept behind this idea.  I LOVED the block as soon as I opened the package, but had a moment of panic, is it complicated???  Can I use it???  So challenge #1, learn how to use the block.


I rounded up some stash fabrics and decided to jump right in.  How hard could it be? 


The answer to that question is, not hard if you read the instructions.  For my first whack at the block, I just started cutting and sewing and ended up with a block that was anything but square.  After reading the instructions and watching a short demo video, I had a perfect block.  Those people know what they are going.


See those little points sticking out on the wonky left block?  Those have a very important purpose.  When all of them are pointing to the inside, you can line them up when you sew the block together and achieve the perfectly square points matching on the right.  Love it!

After mastering block piecing, it was time to select fabric and figure out what to make.  I opted to use a beautiful bundle of Kathy Engle's Kaleidoscope fat quarters, matched with Island Batik's solid white fabric.



The bright saturated colors in this bundle just screamed to be turned into one of my favorite toys, a kaleidoscope.  Literally the name says it all.  




Challenge #2 create a geometrical design reminiscent of a kaleidoscope using only a fat quarter bundle worth of fabric.  This was actually harder than what it seemed and took the most time.  I would play around with a design in EQ8, love it, and find out that my fat quarters were not quite big enough.  



Then I would go in change things around and try again.

Even at the point I was cutting fabric to run through the GO! Cutter, I would occasionally have to stop and redo the design, while keeping everything at a mirror image.

Once all the fabric was prepped, cutting the block parts was a piece of cake and probably took the least amount of time.


Batik fabrics saved my hiney on this project.  Because batiks technically do not have a front or backside, I didn't have to pay attention to how I placed the fabrics on the die cutter.  If you were using prints/fabrics with a backside, you have to pay attention to which side of the fabrics you use.

Once the pieces were cut, it was time to start piecing and hanging blocks on the design wall to keep things straight.


  Those 6" blocks did piece up quickly when I found time to work on them.  I'm excited to present to you Pickle's Kaleidoscope.



Unfortunately, I was not able to get it quilted before the end of the month.  I finished piecing it just in time for the end of the month.  Since October will be an easier month, I hope to get it quilted.  







Part of the challenge was to make this quilt for a child.  I will be gifting this quilt to my sweet goddaughter, Pickle.  She just celebrated, her second birthday a month ago and her gottch day this month, so it seems pretty fitting.  I think she will love the bright colors and fun design.  I know her mom does already.





13 comments:

Jennifer Thomas said...

Love it! The bright Island Batik fabrics are so vibrant in your design. It looks like it was challenging to lay the blocks out correctly. You did an amazing job. I hope you can find time to quilt it soon. Have a lovely day!

Gene Black said...

This quilt looks great Tish. I love the clever fabric placement to have it appear to have a translucent square on point overlaying the design.

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Tish! I love, love, LOVE everything about this post. Pickle's Kaleidoscope is so very cool, and I can totally see it as a kaleidoscope. I spent hours playing with one of those. I can totally understand your angst with the die they sent you! I would have worried about being able to use it - but you rocked it, girl. And these batik fabrics for this quilt - so fun, and bright, and perfect for a child (or adult - just saying)! Great job, and I hope you do turn this into a pattern. It's unique and beautiful and others will want to make it. Seriously. ~smile~ Roseanne

Barb said...

Turned out fabulously.....so clever

piecefulwendy said...

What fun, Tish, to see your design come to life! Those colors in the batiks are so pretty, and perfect for this! I'm sure Pickle will love it.

Nancy J said...

Wow, oh me, oh my!!! The way you placed those fabrics, and created an inner part with the same colours, lots of planning there, this is a stunner, and I am sure Pickle will love it and keep it forever. I had a kaleidoscope when I was a child, one of the real ones made of wood, and I loved it so much. This reminds me of those golden care-free days.XXXX

Pamela said...

I love that you did a kaleidoscope inspired quilt as well! I had the same challenge with fabric placement - helps you be creative, though!

Marie said...

I love what you made with this quilt! The colours are fabulous, and the block placement so clever

Kathleen said...

What a knockout! I love the transparency and the overall design - you are a genius!

Lisa J. said...

This is an awesome post Tish. You really gave us a clear idea of figuring out the design challenges with a limited amount of fabric. I don't have EQ8 but I can see it's benefits here for sure. The quilt turned out so beautifully. Well done!

GranChris said...

I like how you designed this and your use of color. Wonderful.

Emily said...

It's beautiful! A perfect Kaleidoscope! Having also gotten the spider web die, I can say that I don't think I would ever use it with fabrics that weren't batik or solid--having to keep track of which way to run it through the cutter would drive me batty!!! I'm impressed that you were able to keep everything symmetrical--I knew I wouldn't be able to do that so didn't even try! I love this Tish!

Sandy Panagos said...

Oh my gosh, it's awesome! Funny how those instructions can help, isn't it?

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