After a simple search it would seem you are the resident expert on the One Block Wonder. A friend and I are trying to tackle one and found the cutting and sewing part has been very easy, but that laying out thing is a whole 'nuther story! I've posted pictures of each. Could you offer up some opinions about each of them? We messed around with them last night until neither one of us could stand to look at them any longer. I'm viewing the picture of mine and seeing blocks needing to be moved. How long do you mess with it? The directions say to lay it out, walk away. Move blocks, walk away. Honestly, how much do you do that? It seems you could do that for just about ever! We'd appreciate any advice you or anyone else has to offer.

Thanks,
M


Mine. Mostly golds and browns with a little blue and even less light mossy green.
[IMG]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...s/DSC_0001.jpg[/IMG]


Donna's. Very colorful with (obviously) a great deal of black.
[IMG]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...s/DSCF3742.jpg[/IMG]

dear I have no idea how but I love both of you'lls colors they look great.

Oh gee wiz I love them just the way they are. I also have one in the works and I understand your situation. I'll be watching for answers...BUT they are stunning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 :D :D :D :D

Oh my goodness, these are both going to be beautiful! I love the colors you both chose.

I usally look at mine for at least a few days. I change it all the way up several times then look at it some more. Usually changing a block here and there to fine tune it. I always wind up going dark in one corner then fading to the lightest color. But mine are never big enough to do much more with them. Both of these remind me of the sun. The light one a sunrise and the dark one a sunset. The first one could go with the blue snaking down the middle and then the grayish to the dark yellow on the edges. I think the yellow fading from one corner to blue (sky) in the opposite corner would be gorgeous too. And oh boy, the second one has lots of possibilities because of all the colors. I would try the bright yellow in the center first but again, I would have to see it all in one corner too.

Just take your time and wait for it to grab you. You will know when it's right for you. These are wonderful ladies!!

Oh, my those are lovely.. this is going to be my next project to start.

I agree - - they are loverly!
I am not a OBW critique, and I am not Janstar, but I just have to say something to encourage you. (I think it is my self-appointed job or somethin' <g>)
anyway ...
you are correct about doing something for just about forever ... that is the way indecision works! You might become discouraged because someone comes along and says move those three on the left to the five on the right and the extras with four from the bottom ... oh, wait! What about?
whether it is your quilts or a simple scrappy four patch - - it is the same dilemma.
The only way I have found to move on past it is to decide if I am going to make another quilt with the same pattern. If I decide I am going to do this pattern again ... I make some quick decisions, get it done, hang it on my design wall for inspiration OR take a picture, give the quilt to someone who needs some sunshine ... and start the next quilt.
You are doing a grand job, you and your friend ... keep up the good work <wave>

I have done one or two and especially for the last one, I was on a strict time limit on doing it, I would take a picture and them print it out (like you said that you noticed things that needed to be moved) and see what stands out, It is really hard to step back to take a look at, it is not mobile at all when it is laid out. Try to get as straight on shot as you can (I print out full sheet picture on my laserjet and just use regular paper.) and then you can take a look at it that way, and continue the same way until you are happy, you can still take breaks doing it this was as well. come back ever so often to take another picture and look.

BTW, I love them, they are awesome. :D

I'm doing my first OBW right now, so I understand your dilemma. I played with mine for three days, then I said "ENOUGH" and just went for it and started sewing. I love the patterns you both have laid out, and I would go with them if they were mine, but in the end you have to decide.

If it helps, when I checked out the author's OBW's there were obviously blocks that didn't merge with the others, and I think this was on purpose. It gives the quilt more visual interest and helps the eye move from design to design.

Both of those are lovely!! Way to go.

Miss Treated - those are both beautiful! :D

I like Jenell's idea for the first one, with the lighter yellow up in a corner, working thorugh the darker yellows across the diagonal and finishing with the blues. And for the second one, I too would put all the bright oranges in the centre and radiate out. Also, as Gai says, a block here and there which doesn't 'blend' makes the design more interesting. :D

But really there is no 'right' way to do this and you'll get as many opinions as there are ppl looking! The main thing is that YOU have to like it. :D If you're worried about forever tweaking, set yourself a time limit - then tweak away to your hearts content then when you reach that time, start sewing! They're both so beautiful, you really can't go wrong. :D

EDITED to say - I also ask DH what he thinks - he's got a good 'eye' so a second opinion from a 'non-sewer' is a good thing as well. I don't always do what he suggests though. :wink: