Which ruler do you buy for this.
I saw a 60 degree or is this only for making the cubes that are also shown. Another site said to use an equilateral triangle.
Thanks Gale

Isn't an equilateral triangle at 60 degrees? From what I remember from geometry, all triangle angles add up to 180, like if you had an isosceles 2 at 45, then the last one would have to be 90.

Also, there are two types of blocks for that quilt, a hexagon and an octogon, I know the hex needs a 60 degree ruler, but I don't remember what the octogon one needs.

Octagon would need a 45 degree ruler ;)
same as a lonestar pattern uses

Good answers! I believe the One Block Wonder uses Hexagons, thus using a 60 degree ruler is the one to use. IMHO

Can you post a link for this? I'm not quite sure what it is.

I don't know how to post links, but it is basically a Kaleidoscope quilt where all the pieces are triangles. The blocks are set next to each other like a grandmother's flower garden with no sashings. I know you have seen them pictured here. :lol:

all three angles in an equilateral triangle are 60 degrees -

the name implies that all three sides are equal - which they are - in a triangle with all three angles the same (60 degrees)

I used to think that the angles in Dorene Speckman's Peaky and Spike pieces were 30, 90, and 60 degrees. They aren't.

The three components make a square.

They side pieces are approximately 26.6 and 63.4 degrees, with 90 degree corners. The center part of that block is an isosceles triangle with angles of 26.4, 26.4 and 128.8 degrees.

It's actually just simpler to make a square and draw in the lines for this "block".

The reason for writing this is to advise AGAINST using a 30, 60, 90 triangle for this. I thought it would work, and it didn't.

I've done a OBW using a 60 deg triangle ruler which made hexagons. For octogans it's a 45 degree ruler but you need to make squares to fill the gaps. The one I did was fairly straightforward and fun to do - I already have the fabric for a second one! My ruler was a Marti Mitchell http://www.frommarti.com/mm5/merchan...ategory_Code=R I used the method in One Block Wonders by Maxine Rosethal.

K x

You don't really need any special ruler. I made my first one using rectangular rulers that had 60 degree markings, and the OBW book explains how to make them this way. It takes a little more care, but the rulers are pretty pricy, so you may want to try the technique before investing the $$ in the ruler.

However... for my next OBW, I have purchased a 60 degree ruler, because that will make it easier - and I plan on making several more of these quilts, when I find the right fabrics.

Just a note - Marti Michell just came out with a 60 degree ruler, and hers measures along the side of the triangle rather than the height of the triangle. Either type of 60 degree ruler could be used for the OBW, but not necessarily for other patterns, so be aware of the difference before you select a ruler. This is her site, which explains the difference better than I can: http://frommarti.com/60deg.shtml (The OBW book gives directions for using rulers that measure the height of the triangle rather than its side.)

Just to add a further note - if you are using the technique in this book - the Marti Mitchell ruler has a blunt tip and she advises leaving the tips on throughout the process to enable you to match up the points. This really helps with assembly. So if you get one of these rulers, with hindsight, I'd try and find one with it's tip. Otherwise just rotary cut past the tip to get the point. You have to take the 1/4" into account when deciding on strip width but it's all clearly explained in the book. Dunster - we should contact Maxine and ask for commission! LOL

K x