Stack and whack is a simple technique for making quilt blocks with distinctive kaleidoscope patterns. A set of identical pieces cut from a print fabric are the critical elements for these designs. You can cut and stack a lot of large, identical print rectangles to create a stack rather than cutting each piece separately. Each triangle produces a block kit — a collection of similar components that will give one block its kaleidoscopic appearance. Choosing the Primary Fabric Remember that all your kaleidoscope blocks will come from the main fabric. Here are some tips for choosing your primary material: Blocks with prints that are medium to large in scale may be more appealing. Your blocks will have more diversity when you use larger pattern repeats, making your finished product look fascinating ad unique. Smaller prints can be pretty powerful in smaller blocks, but they are less attractive in larger blocks. The usual repeats for stack and whack patterns are 12″ or 24″. However, the repetitions can range from 6″ to more than 27″. You can look for the same motif along the fabric’s selvage to establish the repeats. It is best to pick a location with similar themes, then measure them. Doing so, you will receive the fabric’s pattern repeat. Instead of cutting identical rectangles along the width of the cloth, it is best to use the repeats along the fabric’s length. The repetition length of the material is usually more accurate. Giant flower or leaf patterns are a natural choice when making stack and whack quilts. However, large abstract prints can result in some intriguing blocks. I also recommend using designs with more vibrant colors, diverse colors, forms, and high contrast to emphasize the blocks. On the other hand, you can choose a print with softer colors and less contrast if you want your quilt to have a gentler appearance. Additionally, you can carefully cut your pieces using novelty prints to obtain particular motifs that will make up your kaleidoscope. Choosing the Fabric for the Background When choosing your background fabric, remember that it should complement your main fabric. So, selecting a backdrop fabric color that will highlight the color in the primary material you wish to accent is best. It is also best to pick a cloth with minimal design to avoid detracting the focus from your kaleidoscopic blocks. They will often stand out more when you choose a simple black or tone-on-tone black fabric. So, remember that the kaleidoscope blocks are what your quilt is all about. You want to make sure they shine out. How to Build Your Stack After choosing your materials, you will layer similar rectangular pieces of the main fabric on top of one another to form your stack. It is best to select a location on the primary material that is simple to identify on all your layers. Next, insert a pin’s tip through that point and the same one on each of your rectangular layers. By doing so, you should be able to lift all the layers and pinch them all close to the pin. Repeat inserting the pin through one location in all layers at a different point on the main fabric, about 4″ to the left. Then, lift your layers once more, pinning them together next to each other. After doing so, you will roughly align all your rectangle-shaped layers by shaking them. Once you line them up, you will remove each pin and slide them back through all the layers at an angle. When sliding the pin back, it is best to press the layers tightly together, close to each pin as you go, to prevent any shifting. Then, continue picking out places a distance of 4″ apart, placing a floral pin through each layer at that location. While doing so, you must firmly pinch the layers close to each pin and then slide each one back through the layers. Now, you should be able to cut the fabric to make the kaleidoscope blocks.