Duets & Poured Color by Paula Nadelstern Lookbook

Lookbook 

FALL 2020

Simple Quilts, Complex Fabric 

I love when a quilt of simple shapes is transformed into 

an eye-catching spectacle using intricate fabric. This type 

of quilt may look difficult and complicated but ultimately, it’s 

not when you know how to look for the seams. That’s why 

we included a line drawing of both the base block and the 

full layout next to each quilt. All of the quilts showcased here 

were created around the theme: Simple Quilts, Complex 

Fabric. Use these fabrics to gift wrap any traditional pattern. 

I divide fabric into two main categories: Prima Donnas 

and Allovers. Any fabric that is composed of ordered motifs 

is a Prima Donna. Allovers are nondirectional with a forgiving 

temperament that look the same from any angle. 

The five patterns in DUETS are Prima Donnas while 

POURED COLOR includes two Allovers. DUETS seemed 

a perfect title for the collection because each pattern 

combines at least two of my previous designs to create 

something brand new. When I make a new quilt, I’m always 

revisiting my older fabrics and notice something new each 

time. POURED COLOR showcases Cosette, an homage to 

the elegant, classic marbling technique and Impressions, a 

scruffy, scratchy textile. As always, I’ve included all-important 

tonal blacks and fabulous, weird greens. 

This Look Book owes much to the posse of patternistas 

who rallied to make these beautiful, thoughtful quilts. Thank 

you for generously sharing your time and exceptional skills: 

Karen Benson, Vicki Welsh, Peggy True, Randa Mulford, Toby 

Lischko and Stephanie Sheridan. 

-Paula Nadelstern

The Duets collection by Paula Nadelstern features bold 

intricately patterned fabric and brilliant mandalas that will 

transport you into a world of infinite possibilities. Texture and 

color collide in these iconic prints. Paula has freed herself 

from a conventional sense of fabric orderliness, seeking a 

random quality in order to imitate the endless possibilities 

synonymous with kaleidoscopes. Use this collection’s 

fabrics to add a unique look to any project you create.

The Duets collection by Paula Nadelstern 

features bold brilliant kaleidoscopic medallions that 

will transport you into a world of infinite possibilities. 

Texture and color collide in these iconic prints. Paula 

has freed herself from a conventional sense of fabric 

orderliness, seeking a random quality in order to 

imitate the endless possibilities synonymous with 

kaleidoscopes. Use this collection’s fabrics to add a 

unique look to any project you create. 

free pattern 

MAGIC CARPET 

BY STEPHANIE SHERIDAN 

(60” X 82”) 

3 COLORWAYS AVAILABLE 

DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY FULL COLLECTION 2021 DELIVERY (15 YD): DUETS15 • 16 SKUS • (10 • 100% YD): COTTON DUETS10 •• PRINTS PAULANADELSTERN.COM 

SHOWN AT 20% OF ACTUAL SIZE 

12352-33 12350-33 - - MEDALLION LAVA - GOLD/MULTI 

PANEL - GOLD/MULTI 12352-55 (PANEL - LAVA SIZE: - 24”X44”) BLUE/MULTI 12351-33 12352-99 - ANTHOLOGY - LAVA - GOLD/MULTI 

- 12353-33 

12353-54 

12353-55 

12353-99 

CONCERTINA 12350-55 - MEDALLION - GOLD/MULTI PANEL CONCERTINA - BLUE/MULTI (PANEL - BLUESIZE: CONCERTINA 24”X44”) 12351-55 - BLUE/MULTI - ANTHOLOGY CONCERTINA - BLUE/MULTI - 12354-33 

12354-55 

12350-99 WINDOWS - MEDALLION - GOLD/MULTI PANEL - MULTI WINDOWS (PANEL SIZE: - BLUE/MULTI 

24”X44”) 

12354-99 

12351-99 WINDOWS - ANTHOLOGY - MULTI - MULTI 

650 BENARTEX.COM • FALL • FABRIC 2020 TRENDS LOOKBOOK • 212-840-3250 

2021 SHOPTALK BENARTEX FABRIC 212-840-3250 TRENDS 2021 • BENARTEX.COM 

SHOPTALK • • 51

The Duets collection by Paula Nadelstern 

features bold brilliant kaleidoscopic medallions that 

will transport you into a world of infinite possibilities. 

Texture and color collide in these iconic prints. Paula 

has freed herself from a conventional sense of fabric 

orderliness, seeking a random quality in order to 

imitate the endless possibilities synonymous with 

kaleidoscopes. Use this collection’s fabrics to add a 

unique look to any project you create. 

free pattern 

MAGIC CARPET 


(60” X 82”) 


DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY FULL COLLECTION 2021 DELIVERY (15 YD): DUETS15 • 16 SKUS • (10 • 100% YD): COTTON DUETS10 •• PRINTS PAULANADELSTERN.COM 

SHOWN AT 20% OF ACTUAL SIZE 

12352-33 12350-33 - - MEDALLION LAVA - GOLD/MULTI 

PANEL - GOLD/MULTI 12352-55 (PANEL - LAVA SIZE: - 24”X44”) BLUE/MULTI 12351-33 12352-99 - ANTHOLOGY - LAVA - GOLD/MULTI 

- 12353-33 

12353-54 

12353-55 

12353-99 

CONCERTINA 12350-55 - MEDALLION - GOLD/MULTI PANEL CONCERTINA - BLUE/MULTI (PANEL - BLUESIZE: CONCERTINA 24”X44”) 12351-55 - BLUE/MULTI - ANTHOLOGY CONCERTINA - BLUE/MULTI - 12354-33 

12354-55 

12350-99 WINDOWS - MEDALLION - GOLD/MULTI PANEL - MULTI WINDOWS (PANEL SIZE: - BLUE/MULTI 

24”X44”) 

12354-99 

12351-99 WINDOWS - ANTHOLOGY - MULTI - MULTI 

50 BENARTEX.COM • FABRIC TRENDS • • 212-840-3250 

2021 SHOPTALK FABRIC 212-840-3250 TRENDS FALL 2021 2020 • BENARTEX.COM 

SHOPTALK LOOKBOOK • 51 • 7

Paula Nadelstern’s quilts and 

fabrics have achieved international 

recognition for the innovative and 

complex designs inspired by the 

bilateral symmetry of kaleidoscopic 

images. Her artistic and opulent Poured 

Color collection is a colorful fantasia of 

well-known artistic techniques, featuring 

strokes and styles beloved by masters of 

art. Bright hues and rich textures make this 

collection uniquely modern.

DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021 DELIVERY • 21 SKUS • 100% COTTON 

12355 COSETTE 

33 GOLD 

38 ORANGE 

39 ORANGE/MULTI 

43 LIME 

84 TEAL/MULTI 

86 DARK TEAL 

55 BLUE/MULTI 26 FUCHSIA 

60 VIOLET/MULTI 

66 PURPLE/MULTI 63 GRAPE 

56 BLUE/BLACK 

12 BLACK 

10 52 •• FALL FABRIC 2020 TRENDS LOOKBOOK 2021 SHOPTALK BENARTEX 

212-840-3250 212-840-3250 • BENARTEX.COM 

• BENARTEX.COM

Paula Nadelstern’s quilts and fabrics have 

achieved international recognition for the innovative and 

complex designs inspired by the bilateral symmetry of 

kaleidoscopic images. Her artistic and opulent Poured 

Color collection is a colorful fantasia of well-known 

artistic techniques, featuring strokes and styles beloved 

by masters of art. Bright hues and rich textures make 

this collection uniquely modern. 

FULL COLLECTION (15 YD): POURED15 • (10 YD): POURED10 • PAULANADELSTERN.COM 

12356 IMPRESSIONS 

POUR5PK • POR10PK 

STPORPK • FQPORBX 

free pattern 

MAGIC CARPET 


(60” X 82”) 


33 GOLD 

44 GREEN/TURQUOISE 

54 TURQUOISE/ORANGE 

55 BLUE/RED 

20 PINK/GREEN 

61 PURPLE/ORANGE 

69 DARK PURPLE 

12 BLACK 

BENARTEX.COM • 212-840-3250 • 212-840-3250 

FABRIC TRENDS FALL 2020 2021 LOOKBOOK SHOPTALK •• 53 11

KALEIDOSCOPIC 

XLIII: 

square dance 

by Paula Nadelstern, Bronx, NY 

38” x 38” 

Photography by Ali Talwar

fabrics used: 

DUETS: 

1 panel: 12350-33 Medallion Panel Gold Multi 

1 panel: 12350-55 Medallion Panel Blue Multi 

1 panel: 12350-99 Medallion Panel Multi 

1/2 yard: 12353-99 Concertina Multi 

1/2 yard: 12353-55 Blue Multi 

1/4 yard: 12353-54 Blue 

1/2 yard: 12353-33 Gold Multi 

1/2 yard: 12352-55 Lava Blue Multi 

1/2 yard: 12352-33 Lave Gold 

1/2 yard: 12352-99 Multi 

1/2 yard: 12354-33 Windows Gold 

1/2 yard: 12354-99 Windows Multi 

1/2 yard: 12354-55 Windows Blue Multi 

POURED COLOR: 

1/8 yard: 12355-55 Cosette Blue Multi 

1/8 yard: 12355-39 Cosette Orange Multi 

1/8 yard: 12355-33 Cosette Gold Multi 

1/8 yard: 12355-38 Cosette Orange 

1/8 yard: 12355-43 Cosette Lime 

1/8 yard: 12355-63 Cosette Grape 

1/8 yard: 12355-84 Cosette Teal Multi 

BORDER: 

3/4 yard 12355-12 Cosette Black 

Paulanadelstern.com 

FALL 2020 LOOKBOOK • 13

DANCING 

jewels 

by Karen Benson, Houston, TX 

37” x 37” 

fabrics used: 

DUETS: 

1 panel: 12350-33 Medallion Panel Gold Multi 

1 panel: 12350-99 Medallion Panel Multi 

1/2 yard: 12351-33 Anthology Gold/Multi 

1/2 yard: 12351-99 Anthology Multi 

1/4 yard: 12354-99 Windows Multi (Diamond squares) 

POURED COLOR: 

1 yard: 12355-33 Cossette Gold (For backing and thin border) 

1 yard: 12355-56 Cossette Blue/Black 

5/8 yard: 12356-55 Impressions Blue/Red 

Instagram - Cairokob 

14 • FALL 2020 LOOKBOOK

ENDLESS lov e 

by Vicki Welsh, 

Montpelier, VA | 36” x 36” 

Vicki named this quilt ENDLESS LOVE 

because it’s the most famous Duet song of all time.

fabrics used: 

DUETS: 

1 panel: 12350-33 Medallion Panel Gold/Multi 

1/2 yard: 12352-33 Lava Gold 

1/2 yard: 12353-33 Concertina Gold/Multi 

1/4 yard: 12353-54 Concertina Blue 

1/2 yard: 12353-55 Concertina Blue Multi 


1/2 yard: 12354-55 Windows Blue/Multi 

colorwaysbyvicki.com 


EYE 

CANDY 

2020 

by Peggy True, San Antonio Texas 

50” x 50” 

fabrics used: 

The Wholecloth background is 42” square of Impressions 

12356-12. Trimmed after appliqués are stitched, to 40.5”. 

All vignettes are 4” squares cut from ALL the DUETS and 

PANELS, and most of the POURED COLORS. 

The inner border is 1/2” finished width, cut size is 1”. I used 

Cosette Dark Teal 12355-86. Used 5” of fabric length for that. 

Outer border are cut WOF, two 5” cuts from all three colorways 

of Anthology 12351. I cut 45 degree angles at each end and 

through the centers. Each side has all 3 Anthology prints. 

Binding is 2” wide WOF of Cosette Black. 

Back is pieced Cosette Dark Teal. 

truway@aol.com 

The border is pieced with three colorways of ANTHOLOGY from Duets.

The quilt con 

sashing (that 

Add a 2" bord 

quilting and b 

My layout ha 

you could ex 

directions. 

Construction Notes 

The finished block is 8" square. 

Flutter 

I start by cutting 18º wedges that are 6-1/2" long (including 

seam allowance), 10 total (5 for each "wing"). These can be 

fussy-cut from the same part of the fabric, or they can vary 

(from different areas of the fabric, from different fabrics). 

To create a "wing", sew 5 wedges together with the points 

aligned, pressing all seams open. 

Trim the resulting piece to a 4-1/2" square. 

Repeat for the second "wing". 

Sew each wing piece to a 4-1/2" square of background 

fabric. 

Sew the these pairs of blocks together to create a 4-patch 

block that is 8-1/2" square. 

Cut out an oval "body" (approximately 6-1/2" by 1-5/8" 

without seam allowances) and appliqué this over the center 

of the block, covering up the wedge points. (If you do turnededge 

applique, you'll need to add a seam allowance to this 

piece before cutting.) 

If you want, you can trim away any excess bulk at the center 

of the block, underneath the appliqué, before quilting. 

If creating a pattern, I would suggest offering pattern pieces for 

the 18º wedge (including seam allowance) and for the 

"body" (oval), with and without seam allowances. 

by Randa Mulford, 

Mountain View, CA | 36” x 36” 

fabrics used: 

DUETS: 


1/2 yard: 12352-55 Lava Blue/Multi 

1/2 yard: 12352-33 Lava Gold 

1/2 yard: 12352-99 Multi 




1-1/4 yard: 12351-55 Anthology Blue/Multi 

(for backing) 

POURED COLOR: 

1-1/4 yard 12355-12 Cosette Black 

(used for background, sashing, border, 

and binding) 

jacaranda9441-flutter@yahoo.com 


Marbelous 

Stars 

by Peggy True, San Antonio Texas 

60” x 72” 

fabrics used: 

POURED COLOR: 

1/2 yard each colorway of Impressions and Cosette 

for the stars, with some repeated as squares on the 

pieced back. 

1/2 yard: 12356-12 Impressions Black (Binding) 

3 yards: 12356-69 Impressions Dark Purple (Backing; 

Pieced using 12 1/2” squares of 1 leftover Star block 

and squares of remaining Impressions and Cosette 

colors, in sort of an off centered horizontal and 

vertical stripe.) 

truway@aol.com 

22 • FALL 2020 LOOKBOOK

x-altation 

by Toby Lischko, Beaufort, MO 

24-1/2” Square

fabrics used: 

(Yardages are estimates since they are fussy-cut) 

1/2 yard: 12351-55 Anthology Blue/Multi 

1/2 yard: 12351-99 Anthology Multi 

1/4 yard: 12352-55 Lava Blue/Multi 

1/4 yard: 12352-99 Lava Multi 



1/4 yard: 12353-54 Concertina Blue 


1/2 yard: 12355-12 Cosette Black 

1/8 yard: 12355-26 Cosette Fuchsia 

1/8 yard: 12355-63 Cosette Grape 

1/8 yard: 12355-84 Cosette Teal Multi 

1/8 yard: 12355-86 Cosette Teal Dark 

1/8 yard: 12355-43 Cosette Lime 

1/8 yard: 12356-54 Impressions Turquoise/Orange 

1/8 yard: 12356-44 Impressions Gold 

1/8 yard: 12356-56 Impressions Pink/Green 

Toby Lischko Duets outline 

Website: gatewayquiltsnstuff.com 

Facebook: @gatewayquiltsnstuff 

Instagram: @tlischko 

Blog: gatewayquiltsnstuff.blogspot.com 


MAGIC CARPET 

Pattern Name 

Magic Carpet 

Collection 

Duets & Poured Color 

Finished Quilt Size 60" X 82" 

Designed Pattern Name By 

Stephanie Magic Carpet Sheridan 

Wholesale Collection Price 

Duets & Poured Color SKU 

Finished Quilt Size 60" X 82" 

33 Designed Colorway 

Pattern Name By 

Magic Stephanie Carpet Sheridan 

SKU 

Collection Wholesale Price Description 1 KIT 12 KITS 

Duets & Poured Color 

24 SKU KITS 36 KITS 

12350-33 Finished Medallion Quilt Panel Size - Gold/Multi 60" 1 Panel X 82" 8 yds 16 yds 24 yds 

Designed 33 Colorway By 

Stephanie Sheridan 1 bolt 2 bolts 2 bolts 

SKU Wholesale Price Description 1 KIT 12 KITS 24 KITS 36 KITS 

12351-33 Anthology - Gold/Multi 5/8 YD SKU 

7.5 yds 15 yds 22.5 yds 

12350-33 Medallion Panel - Gold/Multi 1 Panel 8 yds 16 yds 24 yds 

33 GOLD/MULTI 1 bolt 1 bolt 2 bolts 

33 Colorway COLORWAY 

12353-33 Concertina - Gold/Multi 3/4 YD 1 bolt 2 bolts 2 bolts 

SKU Description 1 KIT 12 

9 

KITS 

yds 

24 

18 

KITS 

yds 

36 

27 

KITS 

yds 

12351-33 Anthology - Gold/Multi 5/8 YD 7.5 1 bolt yds 215 bolts yds 22.5 2 bolts yds 

12350-33 Medallion Panel - Gold/Multi 1 Panel 8 

1 bolt 

yds 16 

1 bolt 

yds 24 

2 bolts 

yds 

12354-33 Windows - Gold/Multi 1-3/4 YD 21 yds 42 yds 63 yds 

12353-33 Concertina - Gold/Multi 3/4 YD 1 

9 

bolt 

yds 

2 

18 

bolts 

yds 

2 

27 

bolts 

2 bolts 3 bolts 5 bolts yds 

12351-33 Anthology - Gold/Multi 5/8 YD 7.5 

1 bolt 

yds 15 

2 bolts 

yds 22.5 

2 bolts 

yds 

12355-26 Cosette - Fuchsia 3/4 YD 9 yds 18 yds 27 yds 

12354-33 Windows - Gold/Multi 1-3/4 YD 21 

1 bolt bolt yds 42 

1 bolt 

2 bolts yds 

2 63 

bolts 

bolts yds 

12353-33 Concertina - Gold/Multi 3/4 YD 

12356-12 Impressions - Black 1-7/8 YD 22.5 2 

9 

bolts 

yds 

yds 3 

18 

45 bolts 

yds 

yds 67.5 5 

27 

bolts 

yds 

yds 

12355-26 INCLUDES Cosette - Fuchsia BINDING 3/4 YD 2 

1 

9 bolts 

bolt 

yds 3 

2 

18 bolts 

bolts 

yds 

2 

527 bolts 

bolts yds 

12354-33 Windows - Gold/Multi 1-3/4 YD 21 

1 bolt 

yds 42 

2 bolts 

yds 

2 

63 

bolts 

yds 

FOR BINDING ONLY Part # 

12356-12 Impressions - Black 1-7/8 YD 22.5 2 bolts yds 345 bolts yds 67.5 5 bolts yds 

INCLUDES BINDING Part # 12356-12 

12355-26 Cosette 

Includes 

INCLUDES - Fuchsia 

BACKING 

BINDING 3/4 YD 

Part # 

29 bolts yds 318 bolts yds 527 bolts yds 

1 bolt 2 bolts 2 bolts 

12356-12 Impressions 55 FOR Colorway BINDING ONLY 

- Black 1-7/8 Part YD # 

22.5 yds 45 yds 67.5 yds 


SKU INCLUDES BINDING Description 1 KIT 212 bolts KITS 24 3 bolts KITS 36 5 bolts KITS 

Includes BACKING Part # 

55 12350-55 BLUE/MULTI FOR Medallion 

55 Colorway 

COLORWAY 

BINDING Panel ONLY- Blue/Multi 1 Part Panel # 8 yds 16 yds 24 yds 



1 bolt 

KITS 24 

2 bolts 

KITS 

2 

36 

bolts 

KITS 


12351-55 Anthology - Blue/Multi 5/8 YD 7.5 yds 15 yds 22.5 yds 

12350-55 55 Medallion ColorwayPanel - Blue/Multi 1 Panel 18 bolt yds 16 1 bolt yds 24 bolts yds 

12353-55 SKU Concertina - Blue/Multi Description 3/4 1 KIT YD 129 1 bolt KITS yds 24 218 bolts KITS yds 36 227 bolts KITS yds 

12351-55 Anthology - Blue/Multi 5/8 YD 7.5 1 bolt yds 215 bolts yds 22.5 2 bolts yds 

12350-55 12354-55 Medallion Windows - Panel Blue/Multi - Blue/Multi 1-3/4 1 Panel YD 21 81 bolt yds 42 16 1 bolt yds 242 63 bolts yds 

12353-55 Concertina - Blue/Multi 3/4 YD 21 9 bolts yds 23 18 bolts yds 25 27 bolts 

yds 

12351-55 12355-84 Anthology Cosette - Teal/Multi - Blue/Multi 5/8 3/4 YD 7.5 91 bolt yds 15 18 2 bolts yds 22.5 227 bolts 

yds 

12354-55 Windows - Blue/Multi 1-3/4 YD 21 1 bolt yds 42 21 bolts yds 2 63 bolts 

yds 

12353-55 12356-12 Concertina Impressions - Blue/Multi - Black 1-7/8 3/4 YD 22.5 29 bolts yds yds 345 18 bolts yds 67.5 527 bolts yds 

12355-84 INCLUDES Cosette - Teal/Multi BINDING 3/4 YD 21 9 bolts yds 32 18 bolts yds 25 27 bolts 

yds 

12354-55 Windows - Blue/Multi 1-3/4 YD 21 1 bolt yds 42 2 bolts yds 263 bolts yds 

FOR BINDING ONLY Part # 

12356-12 Impressions - Black 1-7/8 YD 22.5 2 bolts yds 345 bolts yds 67.5 5 bolts yds 



Includes 

INCLUDES - 

BACKING 

Teal/Multi BINDING 3/4 YD 

Part # 



99 12356-12 MULTI COLORWAY 

Impressions 99 FOR Colorway BINDING (Shown ONLY - Black 

on right page) 

1-7/8 Part YD # 22.5 yds 45 yds 67.5 yds 


SKU INCLUDES BINDING Description 1 KIT 212 bolts KITS 24 3 bolts KITS 36 5 bolts KITS 


fr e patttern 

by Stephanie Sheridan | 60” x 82” 

12350-99 FOR Medallion BINDING Panel ONLY- Multi 

99 Colorway 

1 Part Panel # 8 yds 16 yds 24 yds 



1 bolt 

KITS 24 

2 bolts 

KITS 

2 

36 

bolts 

KITS 


12351-99 Anthology - Multi 5/8 YD 7.5 yds 15 yds 22.5 yds 

12350-99 99 Medallion ColorwayPanel - Multi 1 Panel 18 bolt yds 16 1 bolt yds 224 bolts yds 

12353-99 SKU Concertina - Multi Description 3/4 1 KIT YD 12 91 bolt KITS yds 24 218 bolts KITS yds 36 227 bolts KITS yds 

12351-99 Anthology - Multi 5/8 YD 7.5 1 bolt yds 215 bolts yds 22.5 2 bolts yds 

12350-99 12354-99 Medallion Windows - Panel Multi - Multi 1-3/4 1 Panel YD 21 81 bolt yds 42 16 1 bolt yds 242 63 bolts yds 

12353-99 Concertina - Multi 3/4 YD 21 9 bolts yds 23 18 bolts yds 25 27 bolts 

yds 

12351-99 12355-38 Anthology Cosette - Orange - Multi 5/8 3/4 YD 7.5 91 bolt yds 15 18 2 bolts yds 22.5 227 bolts 

yds 

12354-99 Windows - Multi 1-3/4 YD 21 1 bolt yds 42 21 bolts yds 2 63 bolts 

yds 

12353-99 12356-12 Concertina Impressions - Multi - Black 1-7/8 3/4 YD 22.5 29 bolts yds yds 345 18 bolts yds 67.5 527 bolts yds 

12355-38 INCLUDES Cosette - Orange BINDING 3/4 YD 21 9 bolts yds 32 18 bolts yds 25 27 bolts 

yds 

12354-99 Windows - Multi 1-3/4 YD 21 1 bolt yds 42 2 bolts yds 263 bolts yds 

26 FOR BINDING ONLY Part # 

12356-12 • FALL 2020 Impressions LOOKBOOK - Black 1-7/8 YD 22.5 2 bolts yds 345 bolts yds 67.5 5 bolts yds 



Includes 

INCLUDES - 

BACKING 

Orange BINDING 3/4 YD 

Part # 



Pattern available from: 

benartex.com 

This chart is a general guide for 

purchasing yardage and is not 

intended to be used for cutting kits. 

Please visit Benartex.com for the final 

tested pattern before cutting kits.

99 Multi 

Colorway

Paula Nadelsttern 

Kaleidoscope the very word promises surprise and magic, change and 

chance. Exploding with visual excitement, a kaleidoscopic design organizes an 

abundance of light and color, form and motion into a complex and coherent 

image. My goal is to harmoniously integrate the idea of a kaleidoscope with 

the techniques and materials of quiltmaking. I try to free myself from a 

conventional sense of fabric orderliness, seeking a random quality in order 

to imitate the succession of chance interlinkings and endless possibilities 

synonymous with kaleidoscopes. 

I make quilts on the same block in the Bronx where I grew up. Being a 

New Yorker wrapped up in the fabric of city life creates an inherent paradox 

contrasting the traditional image of quiltmaking as part of a simple, make-do, 

rural way of life with my own complex urban-shaped space. 

Historians have suggested that the block-style method of quiltmaking 

evolved in response to the cramped quarters of early American life. My family’s 

living arrangement in an urban environment created similar considerations which, 

unwittingly, I resolved in much the same way. For over twenty years, my work 

space in our two bedroom apartment was the forty-inch round kitchen table. 

A long distance view, alternate space, or not making quilts were not options. I 

believe this reality merged with my personality and passion for fabric in shaping 

the direction of my kaleidoscopic piecework, causing me to rely on intricate 

detail and inherent symmetry, and to invent a shape that makes the most of 

limited space. My block style method is based on a pie-slice section. 

Until I met quilts, I thought I was creative but not talented. To find 

something you love to do is a gift. To achieve recognition for it is a miracle. 

When I get overwhelmed by a longing for functional space, complete with an 

office and enough storage space so I don’t have to constantly reinvent the room, 

I try to remember this. 

Over time, lives change shape. In 2003, the second bedroom of our 

apartment was transformed into a 10’ x 15’ studio, complete with a door I can close. 

My quilts have achieved international recognition for the innovative and 

complex designs inspired by the bilateral symmetry of kaleidoscopic images. 

Honored by inclusion in the Twentieth Century’s 100 Best American Quilts, my 

designs have inspired products including the vast carpet in the Hilton Americas 

hotel in Houston, TX and were showcased in the American Folk Art Museum’s 

first one person exhibition highlighting the work of a contemporary quilt artist 

(2009). In addition to numerous awards, I was a recipient of fellowships from 

the New York Foundation for the Arts and The Bronx Council on the Arts. I’m 

the author of Kaleidoscopes & Quilts, Snowflakes & Quilts, Puzzle Quilts: Simple 

Blocks, Complex Fabric, Paula Nadelstern’s Kaleidoscope Quilts: An Artist’s 

Journey Continues and Kaleidoscope Quilts: The Workbook and FABRICADABRA: 

Simple Quilts, Complex Fabric. I design textile prints exclusively for Benartex, Inc. 

and live in New York City with my husband, Eric. My daughter, Ariel, lives a block 

away. I am very grateful.

more collections by Paula

PAULANADELSTERN.COM 

FOLLOW US @BENARTEX 

132 WEST 36TH ST, 4TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY 10018 • 212-840-3250 • BENARTEX.COM

Duets & Poured Color by Paula Nadelstern Lookbook

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