I am sew frustrated trying to get what the instructions in the One Block Wonder Encore to work . I have cut my 33/4" strips and now want to make the cuts for the hexagons. The instuctions say to place the 60 degree triangle ruler close to the selvedge, with the ruler's 3 3/4" line at one cut edge and the point of the triangle at the other edge. It shows a pic of the ruler this way but it does not work for me. I put the point at one edge but then the ruler's line at the bottom sets at about 3 1/4". I am including pictures to show you how mine comes out with the ruler showing 3 1/4 " rather than the 3 3/4 " as the instructions show. I am not great at explaining the problem but hope someone understands and can give me a solution . Thanks, Mary

Are you using the yellow dot measurement? And if so, are you supposed to be using that measurement? Looks like the edge of the ruler is a different measurement. what is it?

Edited to add: I'll bet the yellow dot measurement is an "after it is sewed" sizing. You're edge says 3 3/4 doesn't it?

As long as all your triangles are the same size it will be fine. The triangles do not have to be a certain size.

I could be mistaken, but I THINK you are at th 3 3/4 line from the top (not the bottom), so I think you are placing it in the right place. Also, it looks to me that you are using the 60 degree ruler with the top tip flattened, if you happen to have the one that is pointed at the top you might find it will work better. I've used both, and the pointed one will cut the fabric so that its easier to match up when sewing the triangles together. Just my two cents on that. :-)

It doesn't matter. As long as your "repeats" are correctly lined up AND your strips are straight, all you have to do is cut the triangles the EXACT same size, and the hexagons WILL be the same size when you go to sew them together. So yours will be a little smaller. No big deal.

Also, your ruler is one of the newer ones with the tip chopped off....they might be referring to the older rulers that have the point.

You have the better ruler, and your triangles will sew together much more easily and evenly.

So no need to fret, and start cutting and sewing. :wink: :wink:

I think that's a FABULOUS fabric for a OBW. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Wanted to also come back and add this link :)

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-92198-1.htm

The yellow dot is just a flat head pin. My meaqsurements of the width of the fabric is 33/4" but the measurement at the bottom when the ruler is placed as states is 31/4 " the picture may be off a little but my measurements are correct. It doesn't seem possible to cut the fabric at 33/4" and still supposed to have that measurement with the angle. If the instructions are not screwed up then something is. Thanks

I'm referring to the yellow dots down the middle of the ruler. Are you using those as your measurements? Look at the edge of your ruler. Don't those measurements say 3 3/4"?

It looks like there's some discrepancy between how the triangle is marked and a normal ruler, as your cutting board shows you've cut 3 3/4. Just for interest, have you laid your triangle straight onto your board and lined up, say, the 3" marks, and see where the triangle measurments actually start from?

However, as others have already said, it won't make any difference to your quilt, just as long as you cut your triangles all the same size it will come together just fine. Don't worry about it and keep cutting and sewing :)

Check your rulers against each other - the one you've got in the pic and the one you used to cut - they may not be the same.
I learned a valuable lesson about that some 20 years ago. I used the measurements on my mat to cut strips and the measurements on the ruler to cut those strips into squares. Needless to say, they didn't turn out square!
If I use the mat to measure when I start cutting, that's what I use all the way through. If I start with the ruler, I keep with the ruler.
It's amazing how much a few threads lost can turn into inches lost by the end of the project.
Probably not what the problem is, so just ignore me after laughing.
:)

I'm looking at your first Photograph with the Ruler. Look at the "er" of the word Porter. Now look exactly at the Right hand side of the ruler with the numbers. Right above the "er" I see the measurement that says "3 3/4".

Hexagon Blocks are measured according to the length of each side. Take some cheap fabric like muslin. Cut one strip, then use your 60 degree ruler, and go ahead and cut three or four triangles. Or cut six to make a full Hexagon block. Sew them together. Measure your sewn sides, the six sides of your perimeter. Are you happy with your muslin block?

Thank you, thank you, thank you! You are sew correct. Knew it had to be something simple and so wonderful to have people like you to make things clear. Well I am going to get busy and start cutting these. thanks to all of you for the encouragement. Mary

I think the ruler is the problem. You need to use a triangle ruler WITH a point, not one of the ones where the point is cut off. I think this may be the problem. the book is very specific on this. You could try to turn your ruler so one of the points is pointing up, and put a piece of colored tape where the 3 3/4" line should be. it looks like the yellow numbers on the ruler may be the finished triangle size.

I'm glad you understood what I was trying to say :). I'm not always so great about giving directions :oops:

I making the same quilt with the same fabric, but I am doing Octogons. Check out that link I put in this thread :thumbup:

I hope the ruler I have will work now that I know what I am looking at. This was the only 60 degree ruler I coul find. I will have to post and see if others have used one like mine. Thanks, Mary

I have that same fabric, too. I can't wait to see what it looks like when you get it together. Post pictures soom, as I can't wait. Thanks. I can't start mine until I get a few quilts done. I have 3 ready to sandwich and quilt and 7 or 8 to finish. I told myself that I have to finish some of these before starting another. I don't usually listen to myself, but I'm trying this time. lol
Sue

For this quilt you want to have your points. The reason you are not getting the measurement you expect is because your ruler has a blunt tip. You can still use this ruler, but you will not get the same reading of the measurement. That is not a problem. When you turn your ruler to make the next cut, be SURE that you have a pointy point, not a blunt point. For some patterns you do want the blunt point, but not for this one.

Why would the point be important?

It is so much easier to sew the 2 triangles together with blunt tips. Also, when you get to joining the halves (when sewing the rows together), the amount of bulk is drastically reduced.

I, too, initially thought the measurement problem was because of the ruler, but not that the blunt ruler was a problem. That was a weird sentence but I hope it made sense.

And in this particular quilt, especially with hexagons, the measurement number is really irrelevant as long as it's consistent and constant throughout the ALL triangles.

You use the points to align the 3rd triangle. If you make some of the triangles and start putting them together, you will see why. I realize that this is not the case with many other patterns.

The blunt end aligns just as easily. I've made a slew of these and found it much easier with the blunt edges.

I've made several also, always with the points. The author recommends using the points, but if you're happy with the way you're doing it that's all that counts.

For my first OBW I cut off the points, and boy, was I sorry I did. They just don't line up as well. The author is pretty clear on this. Without the points, you have to constantly turn the fabric back and forth to see if it's lined up correctly. It's SO much easier with the points if you've never done one before.

I don't use that kind of ruler, I use a 6x12 inch one, and place the 60 degree line along the straight of grain (or cut edge) and make the 60 degree cut. But I have the same piece of fabric and just love it. Would like to see your finished project.

I like the ruler with the flat point for cutting. It eliminates excess fabric at the center point of the hexagon and makes sewing and pressng easier for me. Just my opinion.

! would use some scraps make up your size you have and cut it, see what you get.

The size of your triangles really doesn't matter as long as they are ALL THE SAME SIZE ........... ask me how I know this.

Use the measurement down the center of the ruler not the edges. The little round dots. Thecsides are for doing pyramids.

kraftykimberly is correct on the pointed ruler. I took an OBW class a couple of weeks ago. A lot of us had the ruler with the cut off point. We had to replace them as it did not work very well. Clear View is the ruler we got.

This is exactly why the author strongly recommends the Clearview 6" 60deg triangle as part of the equipment required to make One Block Wonders - it has the point, and there will be no problem.
Apart from cutting accurately, you will match up seams far better with the points.
This is listed in all three of the One Block Wonder books.

Didn't read all the posts, so hope this isn't a repeat. Take a normal ruler and measure from the narrow end of you ruler to the 3 1/4 mark, I am betting that says 3 3/4. The 3 1/4 is after being sewed size I am thinking. Could be wrong.

LOL!
Well, I guess ignorance is bliss ;-) . When my group first made these a few years back, we didn't even have the book.

We took one look at it, figured out it was cut like a S&W, layered the fabrics, cut the strips, then the triangles, and sewed together the half hexagons.
With NO problems.
Really strange.
I'm going to try to do it with points (which I always, always, always cut off on any kind of triangle) to see if it's any easier.

I would love to see this quilt when you are done.

Our guild is working on a raffle quilt and one of the ladies brought in this material to use in the border. All I could this was this would make a wonderful one block wonder quilt or stack 'n whack quilt.

Please keep us posted.
Angie

I think that is for a 3 1/4 finished size (3 3/4 minus 1/2 for seam allowance = 3 1/4". Make one, put together and see what the finished size it. Press (not iron) seams open and see what you get. You might try the website for the ruler. There may be other instructions. Good luck.
Johanna in WI

I also used the blunt tipped ruler. You still have the other tips to help you line things up. Don't cut those off and you will be ok. Love your fabric

JoanneS: I thought this might be the case, but now that I've made a OBW I understand why the points are important. You need them when you sew the hexes. It makes sense to FOLLOW THE BOOK'S INSTRUCTIONS, and Maxine says several times DO NOT CUT OFF THE POINTS.

I agree that fabric is perfect for OBW. What is the name of the fabric? Would like to pics when you get a couple of the blocks made. can't wait. GO FOR IT>Robert

Love your fabric....It's what I am making a crazy quilt tote bag with....

I put a piece of blue painters tape on the ruler where I want to end too so I don't get mixed up. It peels right off for the next project.

It work's great doesnt it. I used the little neon 1/4 inch tape on mine and I always know where to cut on the 60 degrees.
R

I have just checked both my OBW books and neither one says you have to use the ruler with the point. I think it is personal preference.They just say 60 degree.

Okay, on page 28 of book 1, under tips, all it says is that you can place the ruler at the 3 1/2" mark and that will give you the needed point.

But I have never used the point and have not had a problem.