kaleidoscope instructions help please

Help please, from you wonderful experts.

I have cut out and partly sewn together the pieces for a kaleidoscope one off block but can't get the centre to sit flat.

Would someone please advise how I do this or direct me to a website with "kaleidoscope for dummies" instructions.

Thanks.

Reply to
DiMa
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I'm assuming that you have 8 triangles meeting in the center. These require very accurate cutting and piecing. If anything is off by even a little, the blocks will not be nice and flat. There are a lot of bias seams, so you must be careful not to stretch the fabric when sewing or pressing; I like to starch the fabric and press before cutting to help reduce the stretching a bit. The triangles must be cut so that the angles that meet are exactly 45 degrees; this is easiest if you have a

45-degree triangle ruler. Then, you must sew a very careful, straight 1/4" seam. Start by sewing the triangles together in pairs and pressing the seams to one side. Press all the seams in the same direction. Then check the angles. The points should all meet in a 90 degree angle. If not, now is the time to re-do the seams. Then sew 2 of these pieces together. The edge where the centers meet should be perfectly straight; if not, fix it now. Again, press the seams in the same direction as before. Now sew the last seam across the center of the block. Pick out a few stitches at the center so that you can press the seam so that all seams are going in the same direction, either clockwise or counter-clock wise. You can then flatten the very center so that it looks a bit like a little pinwheel -- easier to do than to describe -- and press it flat. If you have the Quilt in a Day book on double pinwheel or kaleidoscope, this is shown nicely there. Or take a look at this pattern, paying special attention to steps 5 & 6:

or

Julia > Help please, from you wonderful experts.

Reply to
Julia in MN

WELL done, Julia. 500 points and a gold star. (Not that I ever succeeded in doing that myself) Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

Thank you Julia. I have printed off your instructions and will give it a try.

Have checked out that link too.

Thanks and Regards,

Reply to
DiMa

Following Julia's terrific instructions, another little thing to remember when sewing triangles (or anything else really where seams have to meet in the middle?) is to know whether your seam sewing is more accurate at the beginning or end of the seam. I know we all try to be accurate all the way along, but sometimes at the end (for me) the fabric goes a little adrift (when it is not being held quite as securely) and the seam tends to become narrower. Whenever I have to do this kind of seam (it is my favourite way to sew 'Y' seams too), I start at the critical end - usually the centre - and sew out towards the edge. This may well help with your raised centre (it is a very common problem, so don't beat yourself up about it!). I'm sure it'll be fine next time you try. . In message , DiMa writes

Reply to
Patti

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