Originally Posted by ckcowl
the difference is who is making it...which book they are using. different people designed quilts using a specific technique...and called it what they thought was a good name...there are differences...a stack and wack you stack up layers of fabric cut it all together, rearrange the pieces and re-sew them...so stack & wacks are not always kaleidoscopes...
one block wonders and kaleidoscopes are pretty much the same; some times (depending on the pattern you have) the one block wonders are put together ...one block at a time...where as (some kaleidoscopes) are constructed in rows instead of in individual blocks
Hexagon OBW are sewn into half hex's first, then pin the two halves together when you lay out your design for the top. After all is arranged, then you sew the half hexs into rows. When the rows get sewn together then the whole hexagon appears. The hexs nest together, staggered across the whole top, usually clumping same colors together. Octagon OBWs get made into a square blocks, adding those little triangles onto the corners. Then when all the blocks are sewn into rows and the rows together those little triangles make a square inbetween the oct's. OBWs can be made with different fabrics in the same quilt top, but usually are from one fabric print.