Oakey dokey - triangles are all cut and pinned and here's where the question comes in: according to the instructions in the book by Maxine Rosenthal, the assembly should be with all grain lines on the outside of the hex's, but Cutebuns doesn't mention that (or I can't find it). Is there a hard and fast rule that the grain line should be on the outer edge??? That sure limits the possibilities of the designs you can make with your hex's. Before I get to sewing all these things I would LOVE to know if I can change them all around for new "looks". I'm thinking I can but there has to be a reason for Maxine quoting the above. HELP???

having the straight of grain on the outside will help limit any distortion that might occur due to bias edges.

about those bias edges..... starch!

There is very few hard and fast rules to quilting, most can be bent or changed to suit the individual,

There is a risk to using the bias, but then as soon as you cut triangle you can't get away from the bias. if the fabric is unwashed and or starched there is less chance of distortion, and if you let the fabric feed through without tugging on it you should be fine, the bonus about being able to change them around is that if you get similar cuts then you can change the look if you are willing to turn the pieces,

I think I read in the book though that you could turn them, though I don't remember specifics on it. And I lent my book to my mom so I can't check on it.

I've done about a million, well, at least a dozen, OBW and SAW blocks. I use a lot of Magic Sizing....hate to wait for startch to dry and then I get flakies and build up on my iron....and I've turned those triangles every way possible and never...knock on wood....had a problem.

TIP....if you are un-deceided on a block layout, shoot a photo of your ''look'' and then move the triangles and shoot again!!! Makes it easy to choose you finished block look

jodi

Well, the first one I did, I turned the pieces this way and that to get the best combo. When I did the second one, I read her instructions that said the grain is on the outside. Just put them together and don't get all fancy. I think the second one flows better together. I am not struggling to get color groups fading into each other. I have not done the final assembly, but the first one went together without any problems and the grain was all over the place! Don't stress. Do it how you like. It will be fine.

I don't bother with putting the grain line on the outside, I arrange the triangles in the pattern I like best. But I am very careful NOT to stretch the bias edges, and have not had any problems. I don't starch, because you aren't supposed to prewash your fabric, but if you are really worried that you'll stretch the edges (and no matter how you arrange them, there are still bias edges) go ahead and add some extra starch. Good luck!

P.S. Maxine does say in the book that you can arrange your tri's any way you want.

I just did a small one to practice on. The blocks where the straight grain is on the outside really went together better. I stressed about getting the prettiest blocks, but in a OBW, the individual blocks really do just blend in. I think the issue is that you will handle the blocks a lot when you arrange them (and rearrange them, then move them, then, well, you get the idea) and they can get stretched a bit.

Terrific - I kind of figured you could pretty well compose each block the way that catches your eye --- and also figured that for Maxine to state that you should put the straight of grain to the edges there had to be a reason. Sooooooo - I am sewing with the grain on the outer edges EXCEPT where I just don't like that particular block and then I'm sewing it however it falls. gaigai, what page? - I can only find where she shows the three possible arrangements in pictures. LOL - I'm not stressing over this ... it's just that this is the first quilt I am attempting by following instructions. All my others have been scrappies (which one day I'll post on here). Thanks so much for the tips - Lord knows I need all the help I can get.

Page 29 & 30. She says you can arrange them any way you want, but if you just do it with the straight grain on the outside, you will have the thing done quicker with serendipitous results! Less agonizing and bugging your significant other (what I do to him!) about which arrangement is best.