How to Create a Kaleidoscope Template for Quilting
Whether you want to repeat the same fabric or you want to alternate your kaleidoscope pieces, you're certain to get a one-of-a-kind quilt when you make a kaleidoscope quilt. Because the whole block is just an octagon shape, you can easily create a kaleidoscope template for quilting by making one triangle with a 45-degree point and two 60-degree angles at the base. With your triangle template, you can then cut out eight triangles of fabric and place them together to form an octagon to get your individual quilt blocks.
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Things You'll Need
- Template plastic
- Clear plastic rotary ruler
- Pen or permanent marker
- Scissors
Instructions
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1
Place your template plastic on a hard surface where it won't shift. Make sure one straight edge of the fabric is running horizontally along the bottom facing toward you.
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2
Place your rotary ruler over the template plastic and align up the 60-degree line on the ruler with the bottom edge of the plastic. Draw a line 6 inches long on the template plastic along the left edge of the ruler.
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3
Turn over your ruler and align it again so the 60-degree line still runs along the bottom. Adjust the ruler so the right edge intersects your drawn line (the intersection should be at a 45-degree angle).
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4
Draw a line along the right edge of the ruler from the bottom of the plastic to the tip of the triangle. The new line should also measure 6 inches long.
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5
Cut the triangle out along your two drawn lines. Be careful as the points of your template plastic can be quite sharp. Write "Kaleidoscope" directly on the template plastic so you'll know what the template is for.
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Tips & Warnings
Create several sizes of your template so you can make many sizes of kaleidoscopes. Having a 5-, 4- or 3-inch template nearby doesn't hurt for when creativity strikes you.
Just one kaleidoscope block alone can be turned into a quilted piece for a side table or a trivet for your dining room table without having to make an entire quilt.
