Lately, I’ve been doodling about, playing with some designs that I call kaleidoscopes. These are repeating designs drawn on a radiating grid of spokes, which vary in number depending on the type of design.

Some of the designs are made up of many straight lines, while others are scrolly, floral, and a bit loose. Whether linear or scrolly (or a combination), they’re all fun to embroider!

What I like about these types of designs is that they provide a great platform for experimenting with stitches, colors, threads, techniques and combinations of all of the above.

Even though they are slightly repetitive, they’re small enough that the repetition is not boring. In fact, the repetition helps you get into the whole rhythm of stitching the design in a way that’s quite relaxing.

It’s been a while since I’ve played with designing and experimenting with colors and stitches, and I can’t wait to share these little bits with you! I’ll be sharing this particular design and stitching tips in the not-too-distant future.

Now, designs like this might beg the question: what do you do with it?

Well, I’ve been playing with some simple, fun finishing ideas, too. I’m discovering all kinds of things you can embellish with graphic designs like these. As the summer progresses, I’ll be testing my ideas. We’ll see how they work out.

I enjoy this kind of stitching. The stitches, once you know them, are easy. The color choices are not too hard, either. I only have to make a few basic decisions along the way, and other than that, it’s just stitching for the pure pleasure of stitching. And, since the design is relatively small, I can see quick progress as the colors bring the whole thing to life.

You might recognize the variegated thread I’m using in the sample above. It’s a skein of Coloris, which I wrote about a few weeks ago. I also chose coordinating colors from the chart I posted here along with a few shades of each of the main colors. They work well together and the shades help give a graduated swelling and diminishing effect to the whole design.

My plan is to finish this kaleidoscope up today, if all goes well. (This is me, underestimating once again how much time it takes to stitch things…)

Interested?

Are you interested in a series of kaleidoscopes to embroider? Any thoughts on slightly repetitive designs like these? I’d love to hear them! Feel free to join the conversation below!