In the Limelight: Paula Nadelstern

Paula Nadelstern
Photo by Marianne Barcellona

In the Limelight is about those quilters that inspire me, creatives that make just that special product and experts of special techniques. Artists that amaze me, make me try more, try extra, make me try to get out of my comfort zone. One of them is Paula Nadelstern.

Paula has developed her own technique in quilting design, making full use of fabric as a means to build a picture, without using applique, painting or any other alteration of fabric as is. She is very picky though in the fabric she uses! And that makes her quilts very recognizable, and a pleasure to look at!

First let me show you some of her quilts. All quilts are made with her kaleidoscope technique, and do I love them!

First this kaleidoscope quilts where the kaleidoscopes function as dishes:

Service for eight
Kaleidoscope XXXV by Paula Nadelstern

And how about these ice crystals, made of fabric? Aren't they beaming?

Ice Crystals
Kaleidoscope XXII by Paula Nadelstern

I also love the blue in this one, which looks so bright and happy!

Caribbean Blues
Kaleidoscopic XVII by Paula Nadelstern

Even the Hilton in Houston was inspired by Paula Nadelstern, and luckily the judge recognized her for her design - which made her win the lawsuit for copyright. This is the corridor between George Brown convention center and Hilton Americas, both in Houston.

To me, this carpet shouts Paula Nadelstern immediately!

Paula has published a wide range of books, all on her kaleidoscope techniques. To me the book Kaleidoscopes & Quilts is the one I am searching for. Out of Print, so hard to get. If someone can help me to get one?
Would love to have it. Already have her Kaleidoscope workbook and the sequel (the artist's journey continues), and her books are very inspiring to me.

And last but not least: her fabric...

Check out fabrics from Patternista or Fabrique-stan. One has to make a quilt from those!

Patternista  - Dragon Feathers

Fabrique-Istan  - Prisma Star

Doesn't these fabrics inspire you to make the most kaleidoscopic quilts in the world?

Have fun quilting!

Annemart

P.s. Paula Nadelstern does not know who I am, nor did she ever ask me to write about her, or did she promise me payment, let alone a stack of fabric to write about her. It's just that I love her quiltwork, her designs, her color choices. I could jump of the Eiffel Tower and she would live happily ever after, not worrying ever whether I wore my parachute or not. I just love her designs and techniques.