tropit

Thanks...I need those kinds of tips. I have a hard time getting my hexi centers to lie flat sometimes.

~ C

Iceblossom

The really nice thing about using hexes instead of octagons is you can line them up into rows easier. You keep them in half until you lay them out. I'll see if I can find a thread we had here before where I really grasped the concept!

With octagons you have to set in, or put triangles into the corners which can be a design element.

edit: it wasn't the thread I was thinking of, this older one has some great pictures, diagrams, and hints!
What am I missing (or am I really that dumb)?

SuziSew

Hi tropit. I noticed in a couple of posts that you mentioned the Millefiori quilts. Just so you know these are very different than OBW's. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but a millefiori is usually a english paper piecing project. They do have the kaleidoscope look, which I do like, but it's all hand piecing (maybe I'll save this for retirement!)

If you are on Facebook, there is a group for one block wonder quilts only. Not only lots of pictures posted, but they also have tips and techniques in PDF format.

Good luck!

tropit

SuziSew...I was wondering about that. That magazine that I picked up has a pattern and instructions for one of the quilts and it is hand pieced. However, I think that I can machine piece it, because it is in rows. It has one piece in the block that is supposed to be inset, but there are ways around that.

Thanks for that FB tip. I don't do FB anymore, but my dau does. I'll see if she can look it up for me.

~ C

DonnaFreak

I have only made one kaleidoscope quilt, and don't know if I'll ever make another one. But I used a tool that I haven't seen anyone else mention. I went to a local quilt shop and found a mirror that was a HUGE help! It actually is 2 mirrors connected in the middle with a strip of plastic to form sort of a hinge. When you place the mirror on your fabric, the multiple reflections show you exactly what the block will look like once it's finished. 🙂

Donna

QuiltE

Here's a link for a free SAW (aka 8 piece) pattern ....
http://www.bethanyreynolds.com/downloads/SpinCycle.pdf

Mirrors .... yes, very helpful to help you get a prediction of your outcome.
You don't need to buy the quilt-store version ... Just go to a $ $tore and get two mirrors. I found school locker mirrors, about 6"x8" with a plastic edging/backing, to make them safer and easier to handle. Then added duct tape to hold them together. That way, they will stand up, so you can admire without needing to hold them in place. Fan then in/out in different angles to see how a 4-repeat would look, or 6 or 8 .... or more!

There are so many "rules" that are said about the fabrics designs to use or not use. However, many here on the board have proven those wrong!!! ..... look for some of the old threads. What I discovered is that the smaller the print, the smaller your triangle/square size needs to be to make it work.

Four Patch Posey ... Sorry, I don't have a finished picture. I didn't have a lot of virgin fabric, so I cut four squares the size of the 4-P blocks, and put them into the corners as references to the original fabric.
My Maiden 4-Patch Posey !!!!

My first OBW ... Lots of virgin fabric this time, so I used it for the backing for the quilt, matching it where I seamed it.
Shabby Chic OBW .... Tout Fini! :)

Warning ... these are addictive and once you start into it, you don't want to stop, as you want to keep doing another and another to see the surprise that each group of triangles hold for you!

Have Fun!!
(now you have me thinking of making another!)

origamigoldfish

I found a nice panel on clearance a few days ago that i think will be perfect for a OBW...just have to put it in the queue of quilts to make!

tropit

Thanks QuiltE!

So, I got my Millefiori quilt book yesterday, (Millefiori Quilts 4 by Willyne Hammerstein,) and oh...my...Gawd! These quilts are all fabulous! They are also all hand-pieced and hand-quilted...sigh. I don't know if I'm ever going to to a hand-pieced quilt, not to mention a hand-quilted quilt, but the book is still a wonderful inspiration. Her color choices are so lovely. I have a deep fondness for quilts that use tan, or khaki as one of the main colors and she has both in her book. I did notice that many of her patterns could be adapted to machine piecing and quilting. Not the same as that soft, hand-worked look, but still, a machine-made quilt could be very nice.

I started cutting fabrics for my One Block Wonder quilt and I'm having fun with that. The fabrics I'm cutting now are what I would call my, "blender blocks." They aren't as dramatic as some that I've seen, but I'll need them for my design. I'm still waiting for my fabric panels to come in. They will make blocks that have a lot more movement and color to them. I'll be sure to share pix on the next Virtual Quilting Weekend, coming up soon.

~ C

tropit

Just remember, you'll need 6, or 8 of them so that you have enough layers. I was going crazy on EBay, trying to find stores that had enough of the same panel.

~ C

QuiltE

............ or 7 or 9 ... if you want the original panel in the centre with the OBW/SAW blocks surrounding.

Anxious to see what you make Tropit!!
... Post pics please as you go, as I love seeing these kaleidos come together!