This reader-submitted tip was originally featured in Quick Stuff to Quilt (Fall 2014).

When is the last time you played with a child’s kaleidoscope? By viewing three or four overlapping fabrics through a kaleidoscope, you can discern the dominant color(s), evaluate the contrast, and choose the ratio of one color to another. Experiment with fabrics, and you will ultimately find a balance between contrast, tone, and color that will produce an attractive blend of colors in your final quilt. It’s important to use a kaleidoscope that has mirrors on the inside, without colored glass or beads.

-Carolyn Rehbaum, Altamonte Springs, Florida

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