This one has been around a while. Here, here, and I’m sure there are other posts. Of course the Kaleidoscope block has been around forever. It is a very old block. I couldn’t find a history on it but I suspect it was from the late 1800s. Does anyone know?
This one started in May, when I had nothing else to work on, and wanted to strictly work from my scraps and stash. Well, that was fine for the top, but I did have to buy the border print and backing fabric.
I am glad I am finally able to show it off as a finished quilt! I started with years worth of Amy Butler scraps and interviewed lots of different solids before I decided I liked the punch of Kona Cerise.
After lots of searching, I think I found the perfect backing, Tula Pink Parisville. When Del Ray fabrics had a huge half off clearance sale I snatched up 9 yards for the backing. Nine yards requires a half off sale for sure. Even though I was told it wouldn’t be a perfect match, I think it is. It has the same limey greens and pinks in it. It reminds me of Marie Antoinette but with her hairdo made from squirrels! Makes me smile every time I look at it. Plus squirrels override the pink and make it a boy quilt, don’t you think???
In recent years it seems I don’t do much in the way of borders, but let the pattern go all the way to the edges. I wanted this quilt to be made exclusively of Amy Butler fabrics, which I think I did, except for the Kona and backing, but to get it as large as I wanted, I needed to add borders. I went with Amy’s Daisy Chain for the inner border, then a wider cerise border then bound it with the same cerise, creating exactly the look I was hoping for.
After many starts and stops I decided to go with machine quilting 1/4″ of both sides of all the seams. It seemed like a lot of quilting while working on it, but the quilting is far enough apart that it has a really nice hand to it.
I think my son and daughter-in-law liked it. I know it was because of the squirrels.
Kaleidoscope Quilt
machine pieced, machine quilted
Quilter’s Dream batting
95″ x 100″
12-25-12
One last thing…
If you are looking for a project for the new year, I’ve got a good one for you. Margaret’s Hope Chest is looking for help making quilts for moms with postpartum depression. This is the perfect opportunity to finish up a lingering Work in Progress quilt top for a good cause. Carin is asking for 36″ x 50″ sizes. Not too big to actually do! This is what I’ll be working on next. Maybe it speaks to you, too?
Linking up with crazy mom quilts.
Sewfrench 
It turned out beautifully! Love the way it’s quilted, too – lets that beautiful fabric take center stage…
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Thank you, Carly!
Deciding how to quilt it took longer than any part of it. That seems to be my style. Maybe I sure trust my gut, right off the bat, more often?
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Really beautiful!
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Thanks, Nicole!
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The quilt has it ALL, beauty, nice blended colors, patterns, etc. Thanks for sharing the finished project. Happy Friday! Be BLESSED, Mtetar
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Thank you, Mtetear. Your comment means a lot to me!
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You’re more than welcome. Mtetar
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Absolutely gorgeous! You must be very pleased.
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Thank you Cindy and yes, I am happy with it being finished! And pleased with how it came out too!
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It’s beautiful! Cerise was a fabulous choice – great pop! Thanks for linking up with TGIFF!
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Thanks, Michele!
I was surprised at how many color choices I thought would work but didn’t.
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OH!!! It turned out so very nicely! And I just love the shot with both of them under it. 🙂
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Thanks, Lynette! That is actually is a good picture of them. My son is a big smiler, but not usually for the camera!
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What a lovely quilt! I love the colours and the shot with your son and daughter-in-law is really lovely 🙂
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That is a truly beautiful quilt! I love your color choices, and the quilting is perfect! Whoop whoop!!
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I love it 🙂 love the charity idea too 🙂
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Nice quilt!
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