Through the Looking Glass: Kaleidoscope Quilts
In this class, Joleen Green will teach the kaleidoscope technique, showing you how repeated fabric motifs can be cut and arranged to create stunning, symmetrical designs full of movement and visual interest. The results often look far more complicated than they really are—and that's part of the fun.
Whether you're drawn to bold geometric effects or simply want to try a technique that looks completely different from traditional piecing, this class will open the door to a whole new way of looking at fabric.
Joleen will guide you through the process step-by-step, helping you understand fabric selection, cutting, and layout as your kaleidoscope design begins to emerge.
Supply List
Fabric, 6 Repeats + 1 1⁄2 yards, or 7 panels (No batiks)
(See approximate amounts below)
Sewing machine and cord
60’ Triangle ruler. Equilateral
Long Ruler 18” or 20”
Rotary Cutter
Cutting Mat
Scissors
Pen, Pencils
Thread
Lots of Pins or Clips
Needles
Seam Ripper
General Sewing Supplies
1 gallon zip lock bag
Flannel back table cloth, rectangle works best, (optional, but highly recommended)
Starch, if desired
Mirrors to look at blocks (optional)
| Instructor: | Joleen Green |
| Instructor Bio: | Joleen Green Kaleidoscope: Through the Looking Glass I learned to quilt over 50 years ago at the age of 10. My grandmother taught me to sew foundation piece quilt blocks using her Featherweight Singer sewing machine. We often made quilts for charity. She taught me the art of quilting and the joy of creating things out of textiles. I grew up with a quilt or two on every bed and have continued that tradition in my home today. I have taught piecing and quilting in Iowa, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Texas, and Hawaii. Teaching in shops, retreats, and workshops brings me much joy. I love spreading the art quilting to others. I have taught quilting in both junior high and high school. One of my greatest joys is teaching my 12 year old granddaughter to piece and quilt when we get together for sew days. She started learning at 9 years old. In June 2026 I will be one of the featured quilters at Airing of the Quilts in Winterset, Iowa. I will be teaching my Kaleidoscope workshop at the Iowa Quilt Museum, June 2026. I have made hundreds of quilts for family, friends, as gifts, as donations, and many just for myself. Over the years I have made many store samples for quilt shops. The most recent store samples were for a shop in Maui. Some of these were lost in the Lahaina fire. I have made many different types of quilts using many different styles. I especially enjoy designing my own quilts and have written and designed many patterns. I hand quilted until 2009, when I got my first APQS Millennium quilting machine. In 2017 I upgraded to an APQS Millennium which utilizes a computer to help in the quilting process. Between piercing and longarming I always have a number of quilts in the works. One of my favorite quilts to make is the Kaleidoscope, using 60 degree triangle pieces. I created my first kaleidoscope quilt in 1988. I love the challenge of deciding the pattern placement of the resulting hexagons in making these quilts. Over the years I have produced over 100 kaleidoscope quilts and have helped others design countless others. I look forward to helping more quilters design their own unique Kaleidoscope quilt. My husband of 46 years and I both are retired and live in Iowa City. We have three sons, and five grandchildren. I look forward to making quilts for them as they reach various milestones in their lives. |
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