I got the OBW book for Christmas, and read it through several times so that I would get the concept down. I decided to start with a fabric that I already had to make sure I knew what I was doing. But it had a 25 1/4" repeat. Odd. As I couldn't remember where or when I got this fabric, I decided to pre-wash it first (The author doesn't like doing that, but I felt it should be done). Wash, dry, starch, iron. Measure again. Now it has a 24" repeat. After cutting my 24" strips, I realize that the grain is off, like really bad! Now I've lost about 4" on each end of each strip, and I'm really upset. Has anyone had this problem? You are all so wise, please help!!

Washing is really bad for OBW!! I've only done a couple, but I'd rather it shrink after construction than throw that grain off!! Just practice on this one.

You shouldn't wash the fabric for any of this type block, OBW, four patch posie, or stack and whack. If it's a stacked repeat block it needs the stability of the original finish to work.

Sometimes....as hard as it seems to do.....you just HAVE to follow the directions in the pattern. I agree, practice with what you have...measureing, cutting and sewing...the blocks will be ''off'' but should still look OK and you will have had the learning experience...who knows how it will look!!

jodi in leavenworth

I know I'm ignorant but what is OBW

Send Cutebuns a PM and see if she can give you any help - she did a tute during the summer : http://www.quiltingboard.com/user_pr...p?usernum=1647

One Block Wonder

OBW = one block wonder. It's a kalediscope type of quilt - very pretty! Also called a hexagon quilt. Cutebuns did a tutorial on it here that was very easy to follow.

I had no idea you shouldn't wash fabric that would be used for an OBW, that's my "learn something new every day" thing for today! :lol:

Thanks for all your advice. NO MORE pre-washing for this kind of block! I knew I'd feel better after posting this!

Sorry you had to learn this way... :(

Most all fabrics will get stretched slightly off grain when washed and dryed, especially during the ironing/pressing process to get the wrinkles out.

When making a OBW/S&W type quilts, the slightest grain variation in the fabric will throw the fabrics designs off. These are what you line up in these techniques, and they need to be spot on :D:D:D

That is why I prefer not to prewash anything! JMHO

My first OBW, I bought some beautiful In The Beginning fabric. I was taking a class so did not wash it as instructed. During the class, my instructor noticed I was having trouble matching my fabric strips. After checking, we found that the last (maybe first) part of the fabric has been printed askew on that part. I lost about a foot of fabric as that was unusable! So it can happen with a new, quality piece of fabric. I was able to make my OBW but it wasn't as large as I'd hoped.

I think that's what I'll end up with. But that's okay. Chalk it up to experience!! :-))

She clearly says in the book that prewashing should NOT be done as it can distort the fabric. I'm guilty myself of thinking I know better than the instructions from time to time though so I do feel for you! :mrgreen:

I'm sorry this happened and I'm putting this thread in the OBW topic list to help pre-warn others. :-)

Thank you denveremerson...I just ordered some fabric to try a OBW and now with all these helpful responses you have saved me. I usually wash my fabrics as soon as I get them and would have had it in the wash before reading anything.

YOu do not want to wash the fabric for one block wonder. Sorry but they like the sizing in there to keep everything straight..

This is great info , I had never done a OBW , and getting ready to try one. I would have washed thinking I was doing the right thing.
Any more tips?

...of course being me...i am going to have to buy some fab...divide amt in 1/2...wash block/iron one and not the other and see how things turn out....this ought to be fun!

Why? There's only one fabric in the whole quilt. It will all shrink exactly the same.

This is what I'm thinking. The fabric will shrink after it's done anyway, won't it? Why take the chance of messing up the fabric?

It gets stretched and goes askew. Its really hard to line up. I am sure they tested it both ways themselves and to save you time and money they are telling you not to wash the fabric. i can see why.

If half shrinks, you'll never line the repeats up between the two halves. There IS a good reason for not washing. IF there's shrinkage afterwards (and I've never seen it in any of the dozen or so that I've made and washed) it will be even across the fabric so unnoticeable.

Someone else was asking for more tips - I'd also say be really careful with the iron - PRESS don't WIGGLE. The key to being precise with these is lining the repeats up as near to perfect as you can - this isn't a stage that ccan be rushed. Once that's done, the rest is fun and straightforward. For further information get one of the books by Maxine Rosenthal and read it right through before starting anything. Then work from it as an instruction manual for the first one you do. Then you really CAN'T go wrong. :-D

cclip and tear fabric about an inch down the selvage edge and you will get a good on grain line.

I don't ever prewash anything unless I have to. If it shrinks, it shrinks. Kinda gives a quilt an antiquey look.

oh boy I was going to try one of these. I have to wash fabric. I cannot stand the chemicals in them. Maybe if I am really careful when I press.

You'll really struggle to line up the repeats if you wash the sizing out. It's NOT the pressing that distorts as much as the washing.

As for tearing the fabric as suggested above - this is not the right way to go with stack n whack, OBW or any of these methods - you'll pull the pattern out of true. The fabric should be manipulated as little as possible in order to get the pattern repeats correctly lined up. This is crucial. I'm not purporting to be an 'expert' but I HAVE read all the books from cover to cover and have successfully made a dozen or so of these quilts. Up to you if you follow my advice or not. :-D

One block wonder

Well I guess this is one pattern I am going to have to pass on. I am really allergic to the chemicals in the fabrics. I love wandering around fabric stores but have had to limit my time to 30 minutes or less.Total bummer. Fabric comes in my house and goes directly into the washer. The things we do for the love of a passion

First thing I do when I come home with new fabric is "head to the washer". NOTHING goes into my stash until it is washed, pressed and blocked. Here's a demontration I found to explain "why" and to assure that you have a "straight of grain". Hope this helps.

http://janeweston.blogspot.com/2008/...ready-for.html

She's using a small piece. If you have 2 or more yds. of fabric. Place the fabric on your ironing board lining up the salvage (fabric hanging over both sides of irong board) as she shows and work from the middle of the fabric to one end. Then repeat from the middle and work to the other end of the yardage.

I "never" use starch or any additive when I do this. You never know how long the fabric will be sitting in your stash and how this could affect the fabric

You can always use the "waste" on the end on the back or to show the original fabric. This will be your "practice" one, so relax, learn the process and let it go....glad you posted about it though so we'll ALL learn the lesson!

How is a One Block Wonder different from Stack and Whack?

oh ty...was wondering what OBW ment.....i am not too familiar with the quilting lingo...lol

I found this site (blog). She gives alot of tips and suggestions. Found this interesting but don't think I'll ever attempt one of these.

http://abbquilts.blogspot.com/2008/0...-and-tips.html

I'M SURE THE BLOCK YOU DISPLAY IS NOT AN OBW BUT IT SURE IS PRETTY. WHAT IS THE NAME? THIS RE QUILTER 7X

That was my question too

Thanks for posting too, alot of us have learned thru your experience.

I've made four OBW tops now (two are quilted and done). I always prewash, never use starch or sizing, and it turns out well for me.

Of course I don't have the comparison - for all I know I might find it a lot easier if I ever worked with unwashed - but I'd sure say, if you have to get rid of the chemicals then do go ahead and wash. Press with care, take your time lining up your repeats and you'll be fine.

One really important thing for me has been not to cut every 24'' (or however long the repeat is), but to look at the fabric and make sure I make my cuts along the same line in the pattern every time. Lining up the ruler along the same two leaf tips or whatever.

I know there is rhyme and reason for abreviations. and there is a place to find what they mean. What does OBW stand for and what do you look for when you want to find the list ?

If you type OBW into the Search function on the board, you'll get a whole list of topics about these quilts. Also, top left of this page is a blue link to a topic list dedicated to OBWs, Kaleidoscopes and Stack n Whack quilts. Click on that and you'll get every topic ever created about them - if I've done my job right. :-D

Not to mention the question has been asked and answered in this very topic.