View Single Post
Old 04-27-2014, 12:24 PM
  #48  
fireworkslover
Super Member
 
fireworkslover's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: St. Cloud, Minnesota
Posts: 1,653
Default

I really like making OBW's. It's the only method of making a quilt I've done more than once, other than PP. The key is picking a good print in colors you like. The actual print itself, will get cut up so much it doesn't really matter what it is. In the end you are playing with color and some pattern when you arrange your blocks into your design. I prefer to only use the hexagons, no sashing in between. I like how the colors flow from one area to another. Remember if using hexagons, you have 3 choices with your triangles of which corner will be in the center of your block. This is what makes each quilt so different, if many people are using the same fabric. Also just cutting off a 1/4" wide sliver from your row, before cutting your triangles will change the triangles you get in the end. Many people don't like the designing portion, but that is one of my favorite parts of the process. You need a design wall for sure. Make sure to stand back at least 10' or more, to study what you've arranged before deciding on an arrangement. I bought a piece of half round trim, to use as a pressing stick. I cut it into 2 pieces. One is a couple feet long and the other is about 5' long. This really makes pressing those seams open much easier. I do not have a muslin cover over mine, I just use the bare wood. It works fine. If you've turned your triangles so the straight of grain is not on an outside edge, just be a bit careful about stretching those edges when you sew the triangles together into strips. For me making a OBW is the fastest method to make a quilt. Use a rather large quilting design, since there are so many seams coming together in so many places. Try to avoid stitching right thru where 6 triangles all come together. Plus the design is usually so busy you won't see the quilting anyway.
fireworkslover is offline