magic stack n whack?
 

Magic Stack n Whack by Bethany S Reynolds

has anyone made this quilt and how hard is it to make? I just bought the book but it really looks hard to me but maybe after I read it a few time, I will get it. I do better watching someone do something then I under stand it better..

just would like to hear if anyone made this quilt and how hard it was to make...Thanks..

I have made stack and whack quilts and the hardest part is getting all your fabric layers lined up just right for cutting. From there on, it's not hard at all. I've made the 4-patch blocks and also the 6 patch blocks (hexagons). Bethany Reynolds is a good teacher and has several books out. I'm not sure which one yours is, but some of her books are more advanced, using the technique to do more complex shapes. I hope your book is one of the beginner level ones.

Here is a video of Bethany showing how to layer the fabrics for cutting. It really helps to SEE it, rather than just read it:

http://www.quiltviews.com/bethany-s-...ck%C2%AE-video

The video moves rather fast so you might want to watch it a few times. Good luck! It's a really fun technique.

I have made the stack and wack but not by myself I took a class and then a few months ago someone was giving a class of an easier way to do it but I liked the first class better..

Anyway I finished the quilt of the first class, still need to quilt it. I am not very good at following book direction so that is why a class was the way to go for me.

I have made the stack-n-whackier butterfly quilt. It turned out beautiful. Not for a novice quilter, but if you have quilted for awhile should not be to hard to pick up.

There are quite a few quilts in that book. Which one do you want to make?

Hi dunster, I just got the book and I really love the Kaleidoscope pinwheel, I though I would try that one as it said for skill level easy, what do you think, it is such a pretty quilt too.

Thank you sewbizgirl I watched the video and learned a little about how the stack the fabric, but all looks really hard to make but will keep going.. thanks again..

How much of a perfectionist are you? Lining up the layers so they cut exactly the same is the biggest challenge. Lots of pins help, but then you have to be careful not to ding a blade when you cut through them!

To pin the fabric directly on top of each other. Layer, usually 6 or 8 depending on pattern , making sure each piece is the same pattern. Pinning two pins are used at each location. Find a suitable easy to find point on top fabric. Push pin through all layers at exactly the same point. Pin is at right angles to fabric . Hold firm and take second pin and pin across other pin as close as possible. Do this about a fist apart. It seems a lot but it does help.

I took a class on this and have made 3 since the class. My one advice is to buy good fabric. I bought some Walmart fabric, and there was a variation in the print that made me insane in the pinning! It was a tiny variation, noticeable only when looking for perfect match.

Lots of fun to do! It is challenging but well worth the effort.

Another option is to start with just doing 4 layers and cut squares and putting them together. I have the pattern called 4-Patch Stacked Posies. It is the same idea but much easier. I have made 4 of them so far. I really like the way they look. It might be an easier way to learn how to stack the layers without having to invest so much $ on material

I like SnW better than OBW, personally. Altho the lining up and cutting are basically the same...the construction is so much easier. When I first did it, I really had to read the "how to " part several times---out loud, helped, believe it or not! And as I was lining up the layers, I read a paragraph, did it, read, etc. then suddenly the light came on and it all made sense, then the magic of sewing it together was fun!!!!!!!

One of the very first quilts that I made was a stack n whack. It was not all that difficult. If you prefer you could make the 4 patch stack n whack to start with. I have made many of them and find them more fun to make (and a bit easier). Here is a page with a bunch of photos of the 4 patch option.

https://www.pinterest.com/akcaro/4-p...-whack-quilts/

[ATTACH=CONFIG]542950[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]542951[/ATTACH] Here are a couple of photos of the one I made.

I bought the book when it first came out and never finished the quilt.

The biggest trick I learned with Stack and Whack is to cut the fabric in half LENGTHWISE and use only one half to match the design. You have a much easier time of matching that way. I was taught that in the class I took and later when I taught the class, that is what I taught. It is so much easier to match the design with the narrower fabric. Then you can cut the borders lengthwise for the finished look.

I've made a couple of these now and for me the worst part is pressing all the seams open. I hate pressing seams open, but if I don't I get such a knot at the center it's tough to sew and worse to quilt.

Other than that, I find it to be a pretty forgiving pattern and not as difficult as it looks. If you're slightly off it's not really noticeable - there's so much movement and activity in these quilts that any little boo-boos are camouflaged!

I made several OBW's and didn't find the fabric-stacking to be that hard. If it's off by just a little it won't be noticeable in the finished product. It's recommended that you not wash your fabric first. I am a pre-washer, but when I buy fabric that I think I will use in a S&W or OBW I make sure not to wash it. I am sure you will have no problems. Be sure to post your finished quilt.

Thanks for the tips. I have this on my bucket list.

Beware! These are addicting. Fun to see what new design will be there when you unfold the block. Then you've got to figure out how to put them together!! You may end up with a very big quilt.

I have made two stack and back quilts over the years. Cutting them was not a problem. The problem seems to be in the sewing and getting the blocks all the same size. The second quilt after trying to get them to square up I took all the blocks apart made a paper piece pattern, reduced the size an inch and put it together that way. I love the quilt but I will not do another quilt that way. Perhaps I am too much of a perfectionist.

Your blocks should have squared up with the piecing....your seams must not have been consistently the same size....and I can see how pp would make one keep the seams the same..just staying on those sew lines keeps the control. Shame you had to do it "twice"

I am new to Stack and Whack, but how do you know how much material to buy? Say if you were making a queen size quilt and repeat is 12".

I've probably made 20 of the Stack and Whack (triangles and rectangles)...I found that the easiest way to get fabric to match was to use heavy thread (button/carpet)...and run your needle down through all 8 layers, and knot tightly....a little more time...but means your fabrics don't slip when you arotary cut them...If you follow the directions...IMO it's not hard...taught a couple of classes on how to make one...and had very novice as well as experienced ladies...and all were able to get a good portion of their blocks together in the class... They are fun...and can become addictive!!

Which book of Bethany's do you have and does it have the butterfly pattern in it? That is the pattern I am looking for and don't know which book it is in. Thanks. I'll keep checking back.

I also used thread to layer the repeats. The pins seemed to distort the fabric slightly.

I'm surprised with posts touting the wonders of Elmers; Why are you not using glue sticks?? Just a light tack down the center of the pattern repeat works well. The only time you need the pins are to position the fabric pattern, swipe the center, position next pattern, swipe, etc. on down the strip. Practice on scrap to determine how much pressure to apply glue so that it is quick to release.

Check her out on u-tube. She has a video with Kaye Wood that is great. I watched it a few times and have made 2 quilts. After you see her do her thing on getting the fabric layers ready to cut, things will be more clear. Good luck.

Thanks everyone, I am excited to try my hand at making one soon.. I just bought the book because it looked so interesting and I have seen some beautiful quilt here..I haven't bought any fabric yet but that will be next.. i have a few easter table runners to get done first.

Dakato Rose this book does not have the butterfly pattern in it, the book I bought is Magic Stack n Whack by Bethany S Reynolds it has a black cover with some blocks on the front, hope this helps.

Thanks everyone..

the he book tells how much fab to purchase for whatever size...

why would one want all that glue residue on the fabric? Sorry but pinning it is not big deal and the pins stay where you put them. If one is gluing 6/8layers of fabric, it would seem to me that that glue could not hold all securely as one is stripping, cutting triangles out of those layers. But, if you've done it that way and it worked for you, fine...but I've used and will continue to use pins when doing that pattern...JMHOJMHO

Thanks. I am looking for the book that has the butterfly in it. Will just have to find them and look for it.

I don't like glue sticks because they drag on the fabric too much for my taste. If it's a bias cut, it can distort the block. If it's a straight cut, it often drags threads off of the edge that I then have to clean off. Elmers, I just make a dot. No tugging, no threads.

I can't use glue for a S&W, though, because I press every seam open. So, pins it is.