Which ruler do you buy for this.
I saw a 60 degree or is this only for making the cubes that are also shown. Another site said to use an equilateral triangle.
Thanks Gale

Isn't an equilateral triangle at 60 degrees? From what I remember from geometry, all triangle angles add up to 180, like if you had an isosceles 2 at 45, then the last one would have to be 90.

Also, there are two types of blocks for that quilt, a hexagon and an octogon, I know the hex needs a 60 degree ruler, but I don't remember what the octogon one needs.

Octagon would need a 45 degree ruler ;)
same as a lonestar pattern uses

Good answers! I believe the One Block Wonder uses Hexagons, thus using a 60 degree ruler is the one to use. IMHO

Can you post a link for this? I'm not quite sure what it is.

I don't know how to post links, but it is basically a Kaleidoscope quilt where all the pieces are triangles. The blocks are set next to each other like a grandmother's flower garden with no sashings. I know you have seen them pictured here. :lol:

all three angles in an equilateral triangle are 60 degrees -

the name implies that all three sides are equal - which they are - in a triangle with all three angles the same (60 degrees)

I used to think that the angles in Dorene Speckman's Peaky and Spike pieces were 30, 90, and 60 degrees. They aren't.

The three components make a square.

They side pieces are approximately 26.6 and 63.4 degrees, with 90 degree corners. The center part of that block is an isosceles triangle with angles of 26.4, 26.4 and 128.8 degrees.

It's actually just simpler to make a square and draw in the lines for this "block".

The reason for writing this is to advise AGAINST using a 30, 60, 90 triangle for this. I thought it would work, and it didn't.

I've done a OBW using a 60 deg triangle ruler which made hexagons. For octogans it's a 45 degree ruler but you need to make squares to fill the gaps. The one I did was fairly straightforward and fun to do - I already have the fabric for a second one! My ruler was a Marti Mitchell http://www.frommarti.com/mm5/merchan...ategory_Code=R I used the method in One Block Wonders by Maxine Rosethal.

K x

You don't really need any special ruler. I made my first one using rectangular rulers that had 60 degree markings, and the OBW book explains how to make them this way. It takes a little more care, but the rulers are pretty pricy, so you may want to try the technique before investing the $$ in the ruler.

However... for my next OBW, I have purchased a 60 degree ruler, because that will make it easier - and I plan on making several more of these quilts, when I find the right fabrics.

Just a note - Marti Michell just came out with a 60 degree ruler, and hers measures along the side of the triangle rather than the height of the triangle. Either type of 60 degree ruler could be used for the OBW, but not necessarily for other patterns, so be aware of the difference before you select a ruler. This is her site, which explains the difference better than I can: http://frommarti.com/60deg.shtml (The OBW book gives directions for using rulers that measure the height of the triangle rather than its side.)

Just to add a further note - if you are using the technique in this book - the Marti Mitchell ruler has a blunt tip and she advises leaving the tips on throughout the process to enable you to match up the points. This really helps with assembly. So if you get one of these rulers, with hindsight, I'd try and find one with it's tip. Otherwise just rotary cut past the tip to get the point. You have to take the 1/4" into account when deciding on strip width but it's all clearly explained in the book. Dunster - we should contact Maxine and ask for commission! LOL

K x

MM has 2 rulers on her page.Is the small or large 60 degree ruler? is needed for a OBW? Thanks

This is a photo of a One Block Wonder that I made for my daughter's birthday in 2008. The book is by Maxine Rosenthal and I thought her directions and her samples were very helpful.

It's basically a stack and whack that is made by carefully placing 6 layers of the same fabric on top of each other so that the motifs all line up identically on all 6 layers.

I used the Sara Nephew 60 degree ruler to cut mine.
You just cut the triangles, and you get 6 identical triangles from the 6 layers. When you fan them out, you get this kaleidoscope effect. You sew them together in rows, not in hexagons, so no tricky corner seams. Pretty easy.

Justme2
I can`t beleive you answered this old post lol
I was able to get 6inch 60 clearview for a friend and my self at the Hersey PA show.
No fabric yet as need to finish a ton of projects!
Gale

OMG I was at Hershey too and loved it! I met a bunch of nice gals from Ontario on Sunday as we were waiting for the rain and hailstorm to let up.

Can you tell I'm still looking thru the OBW posts? LOL Fabric ordered,so next is the ruler.Thanks for the info.

If you need a ruler mine came from
www.aliciasattic.com
my ruler says you can make a pattern called Downtown does anyone have a pic of this?
Thanks Gale

I liked doing it and I thought it was easy to sew. But wow, it is really hard to decide which goes where, once you get them done. I had the pieces on the design wall for almost a month, playing, switching, looking again, moving the pieces all around. I still call it OBW but I think of it as OBSESSIVE Block Wonder, not One Block Wonder!

Easy ? I'll hold you to it...LOL I've been known to jump in & make a quilt top, then interest lags.Right now,thinking of a sofa throw & couple pillow covers.
:D :D

Here's a partial picture of it with instructions - http://www.hgtv.com/crafting/downtown-quilt/index.html

thanks dunster
now i know what it looks like
Gale