Bethany Reynolds developed her Stack-n-Whack™ method for cutting identical pieces to make kaleidoscope quilt blocks. This popular technique makes quick work of the cutting process.

Making the Stack

1. Cut kaleidoscope fabric in half lengthwise.

2. Straighten end of one half-width of fabric. Focusing on a specific motif in fabric, cut a strip that is the width of one pattern repeat (approximately 12" for the Geo Magic print used in Spin Cycle.) Using this piece as a guide, cut 7 more strips, each 1 pattern repeat wide (Photo A).

3. Press and then stack the 8 layers so that motifs are perfectly lined up. Pin the layers in several places to keep them from slipping when cutting.

4. Repeat steps #2 and #3 to make a second 8-layer stack from the remaining piece of fabric.

Sew Smart™ Push a flathead pin through each layer in exactly the same spot on the print to align layers as shown in Photo B.—Marianne

Cutting Kite-shaped Pieces

1. From each stack, cut 2 (5 3/8"-wide) strips. From strips, cut 12 (5 3/8") quilt squares.

2. Cut each stack of squares in half diagonally to make 24 half-square triangle stacks.

3. To cut each triangle, stack into a kite shape, place the 5 3/8" line of ruler on bottom left corner of triangle stack; cut off corner to make 8 A kite pieces (Photo C).

Photo A

Photo B

Photo C