I have wanted to try a OBW but have been a bit nervous about it. What is a good pattern to start with? I've seen so many beautiful quilts but never haing tried one I wasn't sure what the best "starter" pattern would be best.

Thanks!

I am sorry but I don't know what OBW stands for. Am I missing something here. Marge

OBW = one block wonder. As far as I know there is only one block, but I have never done one.

Do you have one of the One Block Wonder books? Either of these will explain the method of cutting and putting the quilt together, and how to work out how much fabric you will need, and other bits and bobs you may need.
They also explain how best to choose your fabric i.e. pattern repeat size and colour combination.
Once you have cut your fabric and put together the hexagons, you can then decide how you wish to put it together for a pleasing effect.

So if I am getting this right there is only one primary OBW. but the diffrences come in how you put them together?

OBWs are BEAUTIFUL!
I think the difference is really in the fabric used and the way you cut it!
but from what I have seen it is all the same block, a hexigon made up of Equilateral Triangles (each side of the triangle measures the same)

OBW is a form of stack 'n whack. 6 or 8 layers of fabric are aligned so that the same design element is in the same place in each stack. If using 6 layers, you cut equilateral triangles (60 degrees at every corner) from the fabric after first cutting it into strips (strip length can vary). You then sew each triangles set into two half-hexagons and arrange them on your design wall, keeping each set together but not completing the sewing until the design is complete. (This eliminates sewing y-seams later.) Doing 8 layers is a little more complicated.

Sounds easy, is easy, but the book One Block Wonders by Maxine Rosenthal (or the sequel, One Block Wonders Encore) explains much, much more that will help to make your project a success. The beauty of the finished quilt depends largely on fabric selection (she gives guidelines for that) and placement on the design wall. She also gives helpful advice for that, and it's actually a lot of fun.

The sewing is not difficult, and the finished quilt can be amazing. I thought that the money for the book was well spent. Have fun making your own OBW, and be sure to show us what you've done.

OHHH I get it . How interesting. I may have to try a little one. Thank you

I'm a big fan of this technique and there are several others here. Be warned. Once you start, you just can't stop!

The One Block Wonders book is what I learned from and I highly recommend it. There are also others by Bethany Reynolds and they all have stack n whack in the title. I have 2 of her books but always go back to OBW one.

Just be sure you love all the colors in your fabric because every one will be magnified in the process.

Thanks, I think I will get that book. At my local quilt shop they have a divine line of fabric which everyone says is perfect for OBW. Now my only problem is...when can I fit it in my busy schedule...lol. I need to finish 2 quilts for the shop. Then perhaps I'll actually make something for myself!

I love the OBW, I just finished two myself, feel free to ask anything along the way if you are stuck. I have just done the hexagon one and not the octagon one. THey are a little different but not much, it is a really easy one to put together.

In addition to buying the book, I would also recommend buying the triangle ruler to help you cut your blocks and consider buying the mirror to help you audition fabrics.

I took a class at my LQS for kaleidoscope quilts. It was a lot of fun and I actually got 8 blocks finished in class.

Have a question. Once a cutting board gets warped from the heat, such as having left it in the car for a few hours, is there a way that it can be flattened out again? Happened to a friend of mine and she asked me what could be done to flattened it out again. I told her I would post the question here, for you gals just about have all the answeres, your a super bunch.

What kind of mirror would you be referring to?

I would imagine you COULD do OBW either way, but machine would probably be faster. they have little "hinged" mirrors in the quilting section you can sit by a design and get a "multiple" view to kind of see what a kaleidoscope of the design will look like.
There are some "design in the design" for OBW's the book I have shows how to make 3-D kind of squares within your hexagons.