![]() I kept the pattern pieces on the wedge as I added to keep the pieces in order. I used the fold to help me line up the pattern on the seam of the strip set. It is helpful to make a fold in the pattern piece to remember the angle you would like the seams to be in the next round of the star pattern. You will keep cutting the pattern pieces in reverse order, 5,4,3,2, & 1. It will be helpful to pin a ribbon on the design wall separating the area into quadrants to keep your wedges aligned as you build the Kaleidoscope. Take into consideration that by cutting on an angle you are creating bias edges, so handle the pieces as little as possible and very carefully. Sometimes the point will be blunted on the pattern piece, but as long as you add your ¼” seam allowance on all sides it will work out fine. One of the group cut hers without the seam allowance and had to start over with new fabric. I know I can get distracted by the excitement of a new project and forget to add the quarter inch. To avoid mishaps I used the add a quarter inch ruler to cut the pieces. Be sure to take the time to check that the seams are tightly nested under the pattern piece. Roll some masking tape (sticky side out) to put on the back of the pattern to help hold it in place. Once you are happy with the placement mark the seam lines with a ruler in three places for proper alignment as you cut six pattern pieces. The “edges” need to be at an angle to create the star shape. When deciding on the placement be sure that you do NOT have a 90 degree right angle between the “edge” and a seam line. It is a good idea to choose a patterned fabric for the very center of the star to camouflage the seams all coming together. The first piece you will cut from the strip sets will be #5. ![]() Be sure to keep all these pattern pieces together for future use. Carefully align your ruler on the drawn line to cut the pattern wedge apart from the other two. It is also very important to mark the edges as noted. Ricky suggests making colored pencil designs to help align the pattern pieces after they are cut apart. You then make a few lines that kinda look like a braid creating five sections that will be your pattern pieces. Measure 18” from the corner and make a mark on each line, then connect the lines as pictured. I think it is better to take a few minutes now to be accurate before any fabric is cut. When I did a double check, mine was off just slightly as the ruler shifted, so I started over with a new piece of freezer paper. It is very important to get these first lines drawn accurately. Move the ruler so the 30 degree line is on the line you just drew and the corner. You start by aligning the 30 degree line with the edge of the square paper and the corner. I found it was easier to be standing at a table to do my measurements to have a better view of the ruler. Measure it to be sure it is perfectly square, mine was actually 17 ⅞” off the roll. To get started you will need an 18” square of freezer paper. I really like that this quilt is truly unique and its design is determined by my decisions as I draw the pattern. This week the focus is on the process of drafting a “one of a kind” pattern to create the template. My Quilting adventure continues this week with an update on my Ricky Tims Kool Kaleidoscope quilt project.
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