Starting soon will be our October class on Kaleidoscope wall hangings using hexigons of fabric.

In this class, each student will learn how to create a kaleidoscopic watercolor wallhanging using hexagons. Class consists of 4 major parts:

Lesson 1 - selecting the fabric

Lesson 2 - cutting and creating the hexagons

Lesson 3 - designing with colors of hexigons

Lesson 4 - finishing the quilt top and other kaleidoscope options.

In the Introduction, author Maxine Rosenthal says, "Instead of starting with a particular pattern or design and then trying to find fabric that will fit the pattern, this approach begins with the fabric: the fabric is the key element. Kaleidoscope blockseach one uniqueÂare produced by aligning the printed designs on several layers of fabric and then cutting and sewing triangles together."

In her book, One Block Wonders, she also gives instructions for making octagons in the same manner but I will deal only with the hexagon method as it seems easiest to me for a beginner and they interlace with each other easily. I encourage you to buy and use her book if this is a method you take a fancy to and want to explore octagons.

This lesson is prepared more for the newbies of our group and may show more of the fundamentals than some of you need. Please be patient so we can cover all levels. It assumes the ability to use a rotary cutter, sew a ¼" seam allowance, and ability to be careful with the two bias edges of a triangle, the two that will stretch out of shape.

I will publish all the lessons very early in the month and not drag them out so be prepared to print off what you need, even if you arenÂt caught up to that point. At the end, I will also show you some other options for the same technique.

Supply List

=ï· Sewing machine and related tools

=ï· Rotary cutter and a ruler with a 60ï°degree line. A 60ï° triangle template works well also, but you donÂt need to buy one specially if you have a 60ï°degree line on your ruler

=ï· Flower Pins, flat head kind, because they lay flatter while cutting with ruler

=ï· Design wall - or your dining room table, floor, bed, hood of your husbandÂs car, or other large, flat surface where it can sit unmolested for a few days. You need to view them from a distance, and be able to move the hexigons around easily while you drink coffee and ponder your options

=ï· Iron and ironing board

=ï· 6 repeats of a fabric, and maybe a little more to add to the border or the back if you want. It is fun to see a slice of the original fabric along with the quilt so I like to take a picture of the fabric before I start. Lesson 1 helps you decide what to buy.

=ï· DO NOT PRE-WASH THE FABRIC! You need that sizing in there to handle the biases. You can wash after it is complete and you want to block it.

Permission was granted by C&T Publishing to use excerpts from the book and lesson plans for:

One-Block Wonders by Maxine Rosenthal

Lesson 1, selecting your fabric, will be published Friday to give you the advantage of using the weekend for fabric shopping. Stay tuned.