Happy Kites (in a Quilt, that is)

Just when I think I'm done with a particular pattern, it shouts at me from another room and I have to pay attention! My sister in law asked for a cheering-up quilt for a friend whose husband is going through chemo. She sits with him during his treatment and Sarah thought it would be nice to have something cuddly on her lap. Hence, she chose this Stacked Kites quilt I made a few years ago. 

Stacked Kites quilt: 44" x 54"

I taught a Rose Star class a few years ago and even had a simple template made to make cutting those kite shapes easier. Here is my Rose Star class sample:

Rose Star table topper

Here's my simple acrylic template (I have not a single one left):

Kite template for 5" kites

You may even have one of the "specialty" rulers on the market. They are cumbersome to operate, especially the Clearview Triangle that came with NO INSTRUCTIONS for cutting kites. I asked them about that. Crickets. (It's a $27 ruler, btw)

Creative Grids Kite ruler (off market); my kite ruler; Clearview Triangle

That bluish ruler at the top is part of a set I bought in 1995 (can you say 28 years ago?) by Mace McEligot. It's called the Magic Star 6. An amazing concept to create a variety of blocks based on the 60 degree angle. Patches are folded and sewn to create a point, much like a Dresden Plate wedge.

More about these kites and fabric and revisiting some of my quilts from a few years ago in subsequent posts. I'll be sharing the easy way to cut kites using a standard 60 degree triangle ruler (no kidding!) Then you don't need any templates like those above.

Check out my Etsy Stacked Kites pattern listing just to see the various photos of the steps. I think you'll find it fascinating!