If someone (ie. ME) wants to try this and doesn't have any of the three books that are out, which one or ones should I get? I really want to give this a go.

Go on yu tube! There an easy tute!!

No, in my (and k3n and katrine) opinion you really cannot do this without the book. There are so many things to consider, that no video or tute alone can explain. Like I've said before, it's a complex process, but not necessarily a difficult one.

I would recommend the first book, One Block Wonders by Maxine Rosenthal. Once you get the book, there are lots of people who are happy to help you. Good luck.

I started with the second book, One Block Wonders Encore which gives you all the basics of the Hexagons (not Octagons though) and a range of the cubes if you are interested in them. If you are not interested in the cubes then the first book would probably be better.

I agree with both Gai and Woody! Actually it depends if you think you'll prefer hexes and cubes or you might like to try the octogans as well. But whatever, you can't do these well without a book. All the free tutes and stuff are inadequate and doesn't go far enough with the design advice which is the main issue with these - the piecing is pretty straight forward. I have however done a You Tube tute myself on joining the rows and my persnickety way to match the points and press open seams but this is an ADDITION to the book NOT a replacement for it by any means.

I agree with the advice given, and now I'm off to check out k3n's persnickety youtube ;-)

Oooohhh - and I never felt a thing! :mrgreen: :lol:

I agree with woody, either of these two depending on where your interest lies :D:D:D

Thanks for all the advice . I know my Joann's has the third book in the series. I'll have to see if they have the first or second.

I bought the first book (before the other two came out) and was very happy with the depth of information in it, except for the lack of explanation on how to do the hollow cubes. I then bought Sara Nephew's book, Big Book of Building Block Quilts, which has instructions for the cubes. (Maxine Rosenthal, author of the OBW books, gives credit to Sara Nephew in the first book.) I haven't purchased the next two OBW books, so I can't speak to how well they compare with the first.

There is another series of booklets out there that teach you how to make them - and they are a bit different from the obw books that most people get. I chose to go this route although I have yet to make my obw. I keep saying I need to get the fabric for it but haven't found *the one* for me to start with.

The series is Learn to be a Wacky....there is wedge, pinwheel and star by Linda Causee
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...uiting&x=0&y=0
The wedge one is the one that would be similar to the obw books. It has the octagons in it.

I have the original One Block Wonder book and found it confusing and quite frankly mostly a pictorial of quilts. I didn't find the instructions all that great either. I found the YouTube videos and Missouri Quilt Star has a video too I think. The videos are better, but maybe if you had both the book and a video that would be the ideal.

I'm sorry you found that with the book. Personally I think the instructions are very clear and well illustrated with lots of photos showing all the stages in construction. There are also comprehensive guidelines on choice of fabric and lots of advice and tips for achieving a successful design layout. Yes there ARE lots of pictures of finished quilts but these only serve to inspire me and give me ideas... :-)

I agree with k3n. I could never have done one without the book right at my side showing me each step. Even now, after having done 4-6 of them, I have the book open.

Where did you girls find the ruler needed for this?

You don't really need a special ruler, I used my regular one, but you can buy a 60 degree ruler at JoAnn's or Clotilde or pretty much anywhere online.

Make sure you get the Clearview - if you google '60 degree Clearview ruler' you should get suppliers. DON'T get the Marti Mitchell one with the tips cut off - I used this for my first couple and it was a right pain in the you-know-what, remembering to allow for that extra 1/4". As Gai said, you can use your 60 deg line to make the basic blocks but if ever you get into the cubes, you must have the Clearview. And it is a lot easier and faster for cutting your stacks. Anyway, you'll get hooked and make a million of these so it will be a good investment! :lol: