RBD Block Challenge 2026 β Block 16: Kaleidoscope Star
Week 16 of the RBD Block Challenge brings us Kaleidoscope Star by Tara Reed @tarareeddesigns. This final block has a beautiful, detailed star design, and it felt like such a meaningful way to finish the full set of blocks. I used prints from my Thimbelina fabric collection, and it was really nice to see how everything came together in this final piece.
There is something special about reaching the last block. After sewing through each design week by week, this one feels like a celebration of all the work that has gone into the quilt so far.
Block 16: Kaleidoscope Star
Kaleidoscope Star finishes at 10 inches by 10 inches and uses a combination of half square triangles and pieced units to create a detailed star layout. The design builds step by step, and once everything is joined, the full star shape becomes clear across the block.
Sew With Me
Here is how I approached my Thimbelina version of Kaleidoscope Star.
Fabric Choices:
I chose prints that tied back to earlier blocks so the quilt would feel cohesive. A mix of smaller scale prints and a few slightly stronger prints helped define the star without overwhelming it.
Placement:
I laid out all the units before sewing to make sure the star felt balanced and the colors were evenly distributed across the design.
A Hand Stitched Detail:
For this final block, I added a few light hand stitches along some of the star edges using Aurifil embroidery floss. It carries that soft stitched detail through to the end of the quilt.
Sharing Tips:
Take your time with your units so the star points line up cleanly.
Lay out the full block before sewing to check placement.
Press carefully to keep the block flat and aligned.
More About This Fabric Collection
The Thimbelina fabrics have been such a joy to sew with throughout this entire challenge. The mix of florals, small prints, sewing motifs, and fairy scenes creates a soft, story-filled quilt. Seeing all the blocks together really shows how beautifully the collection works as a whole.
If you would like to explore the collection, you can shop the full Thimbelina fabric collection HERE.
Quilting Together
Reaching the final block is such a special moment. It has been so wonderful to see your progress each week and how each quilt has taken on its own look. I would love to see your Block 16 and how your full quilt is coming together. Share your progress on Instagram and tag @sewastory_jenniferlong and @tarareeddesigns or post inside the Sew A Story Facebook Group.
What is the RBD Block Challenge
If you are new here, the RBD Block Challenge is a free quilt along hosted by RBD and features sixteen quilt blocks designed by a variety of their talented designers.
A new block is released every Tuesday through May 26, 2026
All blocks finish at 10 inches by 10 inches
The challenge is beginner friendly with tips and tutorials
