One block wonder Questions
 

Does someone have a link for an online tutorial for a one block wonder? Also..could you post examples of what kind of fabrics work and which ones don't? I really...really would love to try my hand at one of these. And...on a scale of 1-10..how hard is a OBW?

Also..can batiks be used?

Here is the tutorial on this board. There is a discussion on fabric choice in the tutorial
http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...ns-t92503.html
If you are really interested, i would get the book, One Block Wonders, either by purchase or from the library:
http://www.amazon.com/One-Block-Wond...der+quilt+book

It is a very easy quilt, on a scale of 1-10, i would rate it a 2. You need fabric that has an EXACTLY repeating pattern, so a batik can't be used as they usually are hand stamped.

A OBW is a specific type of kalidescope quilt where there are no contrasting fabrics used.
Here are examples from our board. Easier to show than explain.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/members...bums16953.html

I agree with paperPrincess - I made my first OBW using the book, then went thru the tutorial CuteBuns has and it's very good. I would recommend the book as there are some pretty handy hints/tips/clues, etc. However I don't think you'd go wrong following Cutebun's steps :)

This is the exact type of quilt I want to make. Thank you!

What about Hoffman fabrics? Like http://www.fatquartershop.com/store/...011&Parent_Ids= Would something like that work?

What about http://www.joann.com/legacy-studio-f...prd_10347581a/

Or http://www.joann.com/keepsake-calico...prd_10792141a/

It's hard to tell exactly how big the pattern repeat is for these fabrics but they do look as if they would all work. I would go for the one which has the colours you really like.
Be careful, they are addictive, I have made 3 and still looking for more fabric to make another :)

I just bought some of this to make my second OBW:
http://www.joann.com/legacy-studio-c...prd_02292159a/

I haven't had a chance to get started yet - for me my first one of these was hard to make, so I'm challenging myself to make another one, and this one I intend to enter into the county fair so it HAS to be good!

I've made one, and I would recommend a large gaudy print, with a lot of contrast in the colors. This causes the designs to stand out more.

I would use a very busy print with lots of color and with a repeat of no less than 12 inches and no more than 18 to 20.I love to make the stack and wack.

I just started my first my fabric isn`t as bright as sewnoma {love yours} but I`m loving it
here`s a link
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...s-t216348.html
the books are very helpful
also look up obw in the gallery and on the net for pictures there are lots
Go for it. Have Fun!
I was hesitant to start but take it slow and you`ll do fine.
Gale

I think the larger Asian prints make gorgeous OBW quilts.

If you are feeling a little timid, you could start with a four patch posies – it's the same concept but you cut the portion of the repeat into squares and put them together in fours.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...s-t190159.html

There are lots on the board if you search, and the pattern is a little easier.

I think all 3 would work, but the first one would be stunning. The only thing is if you are ordering on line, you will need to find out how big the repeat is. To do a hex OBW, you will need to get 6 repeats, so if the repeat is 24", you would need 4 yards, if the repeat is 12", then you would only need 2. Be sure to order a bit more to account for fabric not cut straight, and to have a bit of the original fabric. It's fun to have the uncut fabric in the border, or a patch on the back.

I have seen some beautiful OBWs. My suggestion is that you choose a busy, or even wild print. Two of the most memorable OBW quilts I have seen were a bright orange, yellow and gold koi fish pattern on blue water background, and the other was a collection of teacups each with a different design on it. I have one half finished with bright jungle parrots on it...lots of colors and interesting feathers and leaves. Now for the least successful (IMHO) ones I've seen: fabrics with a lot of plain background between the elements. Plain background in large areas provides no design. The other unsuccessful one I saw was an all-over print of yellow daffodils with green leaves. Because the fabric was an all-over print, once the blocks were cut and assembled, it still looked almost the same as the original fabric. Go BOLD; even ugly works well because of the kaleidoscope effect. The right fabric is key to the success of a OBW.

Forgot to tell you this hint: I usually buy my OBW fabrics on the mark down rack at my LQS. Sometimes "ugly" fabrics that are on clearance make the most interesting quilts, provided you like the colors. You have to like the colors, but not the design or images on fabric. You'll need a lot of yardage, so clearance pricing is a good thing! Also, be sure to put a piece of the original fabric on the back of the quilt for a "before and after" effect.

Just thought of one more thing: take a folding mirror with you when you go fabric shopping. Prop the mirror up on the fabric with the 2 sides at a 45 degree angle to each other. Then move the mirror around on he fabric to get a bit of a kaleidoscope preview and see if you like the images you get.

I have been looking at the same fabric for a OBW! I have not made one yet, but have the book [in fact I have both books] How many yards did you buy?

Would this fabric work? http://www.joann.com/legacy-studio-c...prd_02292043a/

I watched a video on youtube where they used instruments. I didn't think that there was a lot of color in the fabric itself, but I thought it made a lovely OBW quilt.

I just bought a bolt (15 yards) of [B]P&B's Midnight Garden fabric (MIGA 815) to make a OBW.

http://www.pbtex.com/html/mgar.html

I agree with all of the above however you can use more than one print. I've used four different prints in one quilt. It's your quilt, do what you want. Finding a print in colors you want and don't really pay so much attention to what the printed design is. It's better if the background is not a solid color, swirls or some lines in it make for better hex's. Geometric prints also don't work as well. CuteBuns tutorial is very good. Construction of the quilt top isn't hard, since you're only sewing seams usually less than 6" long, to make your half hexagons. Sewing the strips together are long seams, but not hard. Press all your seams open. Some people have the hardest time with the layout of the half hex's. That's my favorite part. I like to include some of the original fabric somewhere on the front of the quilt, usually in the border. I still think these are the fastest quilts to make.

Using a design wall is an absolute necessity. You'll want to move your hexes around until you find the design you like best.