Hi All,

Last night I started working on my first OBW. Thank you cutebuns and 'Magic Whack n Stack' book for the tutorials. I analyzed and read almost all posts related before starting. I must have spent about 1.5 hours just trying to get the 6 layers of fabric to line up! It's like the first 3 pieces match perfect, the 2nd 3 pieces were off near the bottom no matter what I did! It's crazy. I just don't get it. Perhaps the top half of a folded fabric is not necessarily the same layout as the bottom half? It so weird, like half way down, the fabric decides it wants to be 1/2 in. off.
Well I fadangled and managed to move things around and pinned everywhere to get as close as possible. I'm happy with the hexagons, but I just don't understand how it could just be 'off' in the middle of the fabric. These were 26" repeats. Am I the only one?? :lol:

were you trying to stack the fabric layers folded off the bolt?

Hi,
Yes, is that where I went wrong? From what I could tell, I was to leave that fold and cut it so the fabric would be easier to work with. :shock:

Sew two together, sew two together, sew one on each of the two sets, join halves. I usually press seam open 'cause can't remember which way to press.

No, you are not alone. I did a 4PPosy that I had to move the fabric on. Mine was out across the width of the fabric. I cut three of my squares (X4) okay and then had to realign the right half of the fabric to cut my next 2 squares (X4). I was glad it was a 4PP because I only had to line up four repeats. I have picked out a fabric for a OBW but you can bet I'm going to check it before I cut into it.

When I struggle to cut something I hire it out to be cut for me! just wait till you start sewing those parts together and get the witches hat in the center. I swore i would never do another due to the fustration but i did. lol

the repeats are only accurate down the fabric. I don't believe you can successfully fold the fabric and get accurate alighnment. From what you said, I believe it is the folding that caused the problem.

That's your problem... the pattern repeat across the WOF will not line up with the fabric folded. Either lay it out flat if you have a mat big enough or split it up the fold and treat each half at a time. I don't have the Magic Stack n Whack book but I do have Stacknwackipedia and all three Maxine Rosenthal books and they give full instructions for stacking and layering. If your book doesn't give these instructions, I'd recommend one of these depending if you like the allover design of OBW or the sashed effect of stack n whack. :-D

Oh ok, hmm so maybe next time I fold down top to bottom, Sorry I get confused when people say width of fabric, because to am wondering do they mean, follow the salvage, or the width away from fabric. duh for me! lol :oops:
yes I ordered the wackepedia and its not in yet. I just couldnt wait to start playing.!

No.....don't fold the fabric and try to cut two layers.
You cut each strip individually and line it up with the next one.......only one layer at the time. These design are not for quick or short cutting.

the fabric needs to be opened up---not folded
you can cut it at the fold for it to be easier to work with if you need to but you will not get it accurately lined up if it is folded--at all

Although the pattern may repeat across the fabric, the repeats are not identical. When I make stack n whacks I buy 6 or 8 repeats. I cut the fabric in half length-wise and then cut the repeats cross-wise (from selvage to selvage).

Those are the sections I line up very carefully. I actually hand baste the obvious points of the pattern together. I can then cut my shapes and the basting keeps each bunch together until I'm ready to work on it.

It is a very common mistake to think you can get away with using the second side of the fole to do the same stack. It doen't really work as whilst it looks similar it isn't exactly always the same.

What you need to do is you take your yardage which contains the number of fabric repeats you need. i tell my students to count a distinctive motif near or on the selvage. so if you are doing a 6 layer stack you need to have seven of your motifs to get 6 full repeats of the pattern. Take that piece and open it up. then cut (or you can tear if you wish) down the fold line. this gives you two lengthwise strips paralel to the selvage. take one of those and chop it up into your repeat pannels and stack those. The other half may also need to be stacked, but leave it in one piece until you are ready to use it. If you didn't need more blocks you can use that for borders etc, or you can share with a friend and split a nice fabric.

As you have gone so far, hopefully you have the rest fo the yardage you purchased. if so, take the second piece and cut it in half down the fold. Identify which side belongs to which panels you were trying to cut and cut enough to give you a full stack all containing the same edge of the selvage. try stacking those.

I LOVE stack N whack I even picked Bethany reynolds for a course assignment when doing my City & Guilds.

Hope that helps
best Becks

Great explanation I'll give it a try
:thumbup:

Awesome thank you. I did pick up other fabrics to play with. It is very cool, I hope I can figure out how to remove the witches hats :-D
You all are awesome