Sunday, March 11, 2007

Kaleidoscope Quilts, and Rulers

One of my first specialty rulers, a Kaleidoscope, 45 degree ruler, by Marilyn Dohaney. This even came with great instructions, resulting in a quilt with seams pressed oppposite directions and neat intersections. Easy, despite what it looks like. I bought this ruler in 1989, and went wild with it for a time, probably due to the included instructions. I marked the back with masking tape (ugh) to help keep everything in line, and later learned about using painter's tape, a vast improvement. Masking tape left icky residue.


This is another favorite ruler but I found the lines hard to see, resulting in eye strain and error - hence the bright orange marking product. This product comes several strips to a package, they are reusable, and can be cut. No residue. I found if I licked the back of the product (oh yeah, quilt-y germs and all) it would stay put.


This was my first quilt I made using the Kaleidoscope Ruler - now, there are many similar products, but I still like my first. It is machine quilted using a rainbow type invisible thread, and two of the borders are done in a cable, using blue thread and a walking foot. I was new to this machine quilting stuff back them! The outside border is done with invisible thread, straight line stitching jogging between the white moons.

I purposely left my DH's stocking feet in the photo, as well as the lovely blue spring sky. We quilters should have a special commemorative day for willing "Quilt Holders."

Close up of the lovely crinkles and wrinkles, etc.

If you are new to quilting, be sure you understand the difference between a 45 degree ruler and a 60 degree ruler and a "Peaky and Spike" type set of rulers. Yep, a lot of us (uhhh ... me ...) have forgotten until we make the dreaded mistake!

You know, just pulling this quilt out of the closet, taking photos, etc., and I get all gung ho to make yet another! Arrrghhh - there is no end to what MORE we MUST make!

12 comments:

  1. Haha, I like the hubby's feet touch. ;)

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  2. You can never have too many rulers or other quilting gadgets. I just bought a couple of new rulers yesterday because there was a 49% off sale. They are not so exciting, a new 12x24 and a 6x12 but I love them. My old one was all trashed.

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  3. I have been using a neon 1/4" tape to mark my rulers. Works just like your red vinyl product. Can't remember who makes it but I think I got it at a quilt shop.

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  4. I have wanted to make a kaleidoscope quilt and was wondering if my peaky and spike ruler would work -- good thing I read this!

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  5. I have a whole collection of rulers. Every time Joann's has a 50% off sale I enhance my collection. I just can't pass up a bargin.
    BTW, you can get masking tape or other sticker ick off hard surfaces with either vegetable or baby oil.

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  6. Hi Elaine, I'm chuckling because that was one of my first rulers also...LOL And I did re-visit it not too long ago. A new quilting friend had never seen it, borrowed it and the directions and almost didn't give it back!! She loved it.

    I think your first K. quilt looks great...and your points match better than mine did...*VBS* Love the blue stocking feet!!
    Your chunky churn dash is really a pretty quilt. It's on my to-do list. Hugs, Finn

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  7. What a lovely quilt, Elaine!! And the 'stocking' feet, fence and sky make an adorable picture! :D

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  8. I used my ruler last year to make a quilt and deinately will use it again to make another in the future. Got to love specialty rulers! Your version came out very nicely - you did lots of quilting on it for one who didn't know much about quilting back then. Looks great!

    Cheers!

    Evelyn

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  9. I've been wanting to get one of those for a while - your post has just reminded me!

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  10. I am still flat out mastering my good old faithful rectangular ruler, could I just shoot across for a coffee and a lesson? See ya tomorrow!LOL Tracey

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  11. I too have a weakness for specialty rulers and templates. After having made a queen-size Tennessee Waltz with my own homemade templates, I'll never do another without getting Eleanor Burns' nice acrylic one. Why make a long and sometimes tricky job harder on yourself when a $10 or $15 set of templates/rulers would make everything so much easier and accurate (i.e. more fun)?

    I love posts like this, where you experienced quilters show us somewhat-newbies a few of your tricks. I also love kaleidoscope quilts and may have to look into some rulers for same. Thanks, Elaine.

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  12. My quilt holders balk whenever I want to take a photograph--I have resorted to using neighbors, and have figured out a way to use the table and chair on the porch to hold onto a top on a not too windy day!

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