What fabric makes a good Hexagon Quilt? Some say a 24″ repeat is key, but I do not necessarily agree. I made a hexagon quilt from a fabric that had a 24″ repeat, but the print was not that large. Although it was still a pretty quilt, I thought the colors were a little muddy (Natures Chorus). So I say get as big a print as you can find with colors that you like. Keep in mind that once the repeats are layered you will be cutting them into 3 3/4″ strips. If your print is flowers that are only 3″ across, you will not be taking them apart very much and your blocks will end up looking a lot like the original fabric. Whereas if the print is 6″ you will have a better chance of your blocks looking nothing like the original fabric.
I ignore the print itself and go for something large with colors I like, then I know I will have fun. When I made “Inside the Twister” from the Wizard of Oz fabric in sepia tones, it was only a 12″ repeat. I could have cut 6 repeats of a fabric 12″ each, but because the print was big enough, I chose a design element that was easily identifiable and when it came up again at 12″ – I skipped it and went to the next one. Now I had a 24″ repeat. When you do this you may have blocks that repeat themselves, but remember you have 3 design choices with each block.
To make a good lap-size, twin, or full size quilt, 4 1/4 yards for your blocks. 6 repeats of fabric at 24” each, is exactly 4 yards (24 x 6 = 144; 144/36 = 4). I ALWAYS BUY at least 6 Yards so I have the option of a 9 OR 10 inch outer border with the original fabric.) It is fun to see a slice of the original fabric along with the quilt. DO NOT PRE-WASH THE FABRIC!!!!
Below are some of my hexagon quilts waiting to be born. I still have another 20 or so 6 yard pieces I didn’t show you.
Just Lion Around by Alexander Henry
New York City at Night
Red Sunflowers
Route 66
Ocean Fish
UPS Men
Construction Hunks (I love cutting up people)
New York, New York
Under the Rainbow, I used this fabric for “Inside the Twister” it had a 12″ repeat
Over the Rainbow
Paris Pin Ups
Frida’s Garden
Georgia O’Keefe
Large Leaves by Alexander Henry
Parrots in the Jungle
Kaffe Fasset same fabric 3 color ways
English country Side by Sue Beevers
If These Threads Could Talk 
Where can I purchase the red sunflowers fabric. It’s just what I’ve been looking for! Your ideas are a great help.
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I had that fabric for about 10 years. It is called Flowers of the Sun, http://www.southseaimports.com
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Going to try my 1st OBW. Have made 2 stack-n-whack, both had 12 inch repeats. Found fabric with 24″ repeat, similar to your selection “Construction Hunks”. Mine is Alexander Henry – Wranglers, Cowboys in jeans. Was thinking of triangles 3.75″ (standard in book), but worry about to much background. Would you give me your opinion on size?
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I made the the cowboys with no shirts and a red truck, 3.75 works well. Alexander Henry makes great OBW fabric! I need to make Construction Hunks too.
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I am always on the hunt for great one block wonder quilt fabrics…the best have large areas of well separated colours. Especially stunning was one large scale floral on a black background!
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For me, the best OBW fabric is a very large print and colors that I like. You can always skip a repeat and and make it larger
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I am trying to find fabric for my first OBW. I’m looking for tropical, jungle multi-color but am unable to find anything. Where is a good place to look? Shops in NH that I’ve been to don’t have anything I’d like. My fall back is Timeless Treasure Radiance all over flowers in black and possibly use one of the coordinating panels. Some that I have found have 8″, or 12″ repeats. The teacher is using a large poinsettia fabric but I figure if I’m going to put all this time, effort and money into it I want to use something I like. I’m open for advice. Thanks, Rose
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You might try http://www.equilter.com they have great fabric. I have purchased from them many times. Also http://www.fabric.com
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I love your fabric selections! I’m waiting for my one block wonder book to arrive and bought some fabric in the meantime before I saw your post about how much fabric to buy. Let’s just say….I’ll be lucky to get a table runner out of it 🙂
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Hi Liz, there is a great group on Facebook called One Block Wonder Quilt Forum. They are fun and just mad about One Block Wonders.
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Good advice. I will be making my first stack and whack quilt in a class this month. following your advice. I prefer the look of the OBW to the stack and what but will adapt.
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Thanks Carol
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Thanks so much for these fabric examples…surely the hardest part of making this quilt is the fabric selection….at least for me!
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Pick a large print and colors that you like and you will have fun!
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