Kaleidoscope Table Topper Tutorial and Giveaway Extravaganza

Is it just me or do you feel like you've got a virtual pair of pom poms in your hands and you're ready to clap them together as you cheer, "Ready! Let's go!"?
Just me...oh well.
I however am so psyched to walk you through making this:

I had wanted to talk about the inspiration for this design because it came from an amazing book called Quilts of Illusion which I bought years ago at the Renwick Gallery in Washington D.C., but there are 19 images to this tutorial, so I'll save that for another post.
Let's start with the ingredients, shall we.

 

You'll need:

Fat eighths of 4 solids and 5 prints (in sample that's all the solids except the Amber)

Fat quarters of 1 solid(Amber Kona) and 1 print (for binding)

3/4 yard of solid cotton for backing fabric

Cotton batting measuring about 30" x 30"

Coordinating machine sewing and quilting thread

Coordinating hand sewing thread

Hand sewing needle

Rotary cutter

Self healing mat

Iron

Pins

Quilter's clear, acrylic ruler

8 1/2" x 11" paper

Pencil

Paper scissors

Ruler

Quilt basting materials

and these:

 These are your templates for cutting the triangles needed to make the patchwork. One is store bought and the other you will make. The purchased template is the Simpli-EZ 45 degree triangle by Darlene Zimmerman. I bought mine at Joann's. It can be found online here and probably a bunch of other places if you google it. 

To make the right triangle, measure 4 1/4 '' from one corner of your paper.

Mark this point with your pencil. Then measure a span 4 1/4" from that same corner that runs along the perpendicular edge. Mark that point. using a ruler, draw a line that connects the two marked points. Bonus points if you remember that that's called the hypotenuse of our right triangle. Using paper scissors, cut out paper triangle template.

Now that we have our templates, we can cut out fabric for the top. The top consists of 4 similar blocks, so I'm going to detail the process of making one block. To make the table topper you'll need to repeat this procedure 4 times and then sew the blocks together.

Each block includes 4 large print triangles and 4 large solid triangles. These triangles are cut using the purchased template. 

For those using the Marmalade bundle: In an attempt to limit fabric waste, all the top fabrics except for the Kona Amber Solid are in fat eighths amounts. That means that the solid that's most oft repeated is the Amber. Plan out your blocks to accommodate the fabric amounts. If you choose to follow my fabric choices and placement, you should have enough fabric.

Cutting and Assembling the Block:

Note: All seam allowances are 1/4".

From 4 different solids and four different prints, cut 8 large triangles using purchased template.

Lay cut triangles on a flat surface so that prints alternate with solids.

We are going to assemble the triangles to create 2, half-circle-like units.

Pin a solid and print triangle right sides together. Sew along one common long edge.

Press seam to one side.

Repeat the previous 2 steps with a second pair of triangles.

Pin pairs, right sides together, so that print edge of one pair will be stitched to solid edge of second pair. Sew together. Press seam to one side.

Repeat the previous steps to craft a second half-circle unit.

Pin half-circle units, right sides together, along common straight edge, matching center seam. Sew together. Press seam open.

Using homemade template and solids corresponding to colors present in block, cut 4 right triangles.

Working with one solid right triangle at a time, fold triangle along long edge and finger crease midpoint. Open triangle to reveal creased midpoint. Fold matching solid large triangle along base and finger crease midpoint. Open to reveal midpoint crease.

With right sides together, pin right triangle to corresponding large triangle edge, matching creases.

Sew together. Press seam to one side.

Repeat the previous 3 steps to attach remaining right triangles to block.

Make 3 more blocks, varying your print and sold choices as desired. Sew the blocks together, first into pairs, then sew the pairs together, along one long edge to make a foursome.
Layer backing, wrong side facing up, batting, and top, right side facing up, on a flat surface. Baste layers together using your preferred method.
Machine or hand quilt layers. Trim edges of quilt so that layers are flush.
I use a single fold binding, so cut the binding fabric into 1 1/2" strips and then sew them together using diagonal seams. Machine sew binding to quilt, mitering corners as you reach them. Turn binding to back side and hand stitch in place, turning under 1/4" seam allowance as you work.

There you have it. Pretty quick and easy and fabulous looking with the fabrics from Marmalade. This won't come as a shocker considering the title of my post, but sweet Tammy at Marmalade is giving away a Kaleidoscope Table Topper bundle to one of you lovely folks. All you have to do is answer the question, "What would you do for a Klondike Bar?" or just leave a comment.
Enjoy!