Early in 2006 I was looking through the Hancock’s of Paducah catalog I had received that day. I poured over every page not wanting to miss a thing. I got to section where the new books were being offered…and there it was “One Block Wonders, One Fabric, One Shape, One-Of-A-Kind Quilts”! I was intrigued and ordered it right away. I couldn’t wait for it to arrive. When I got it I immediately went shopping for fabric. I attacked the online fabric sources and ordered several fabrics. I read the instructions over & over. I must admit I struggled with section on “Aligning the Fabrics”. But I didn’t give up until I figured it out. When I designed the first block I literally jumped for joy! I will admit, I was so excited I sewed three hexagon’s together and then sewed the other three hexagon’s together, and the proceeded to sew the halves together. I learn everything the hard way! A little “un-sewing” and I was on my way. When I got all my hexies on my design wall I almost hyperventilated. I was so excited I took pictures and emailed them to every quilter I knew (this was before Facebook).
This was my first One Block Wonder (OBW), “Schwarzy”s Garden made April 2006. I cut my first strip set the wrong size. But I didn’t let that deter me. I cut the next five strips sets correctly and used the first strip to make small hexies for the border. I entered 2 OBW’s in my local quilt show and have been teaching how to make them for 11 years now!
I have had a love affair with this process ever since. Sixty-two One Block Wonders later and I have the privilege and great honor to have two of my OBW’s included in Maxine Rosenthal’s & Linda Bardes newly released book “One Block Wonders of the World”!
I am so proud to be included in this collection of outstanding OBW’S! This book is awsome! In case you dont know, there is a group on Facebook called “One Block Wonder Quilt Forum”. We are fast approaching 10,000 members. Linda Bardes is one of the group’s organizer’s with a great deal of help from Kathy Gannon. The people in this group are off the chain creative. I am always amazed with what they come up with.
If you have not picked up your copy of One Block Wonders of the World, dont delay! It is available on Amazon at CT Publishing and your local quilt shops.
If you don’t have Mazine’s other books, you need them!
The first book introduces you to the process. The second still covers the process but introduces you to cubes. The third, gives you the best recipes for cubes. All 3 book give fabulous design ideas.
I have 3 OBW’s cut out and another 19 waiting to be born!
If These Threads Could Talk 
I still remember seeing my first OBW. It was at the Minnesota State Quilt show. I went around a corner and it was hanging in a booth. It was a all-over kitten fabric. I was gob-smacked! It was awesome. I HAD to learn how to do them. I got Maxine’s name and our small quilt club had her come to North Dakota to the town of Mayville, North Dakota to teach us this way of making a quilt.
This was before the first book came out. I still have a copy of the notes I took to try to remember the process.
I got to have my third OBW quilt in her second book and am beyond proud. You will never get over the feeling of pride.
Nancy Drew – Clifford North Dakota
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Wow, what a great story. Please share what Quilt is in her third book. You must be in the Facebook group “One Block Wonder Quilt Forum”!
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Love your work. The OBW Facebook group is so inspirational. I too have a couple of quilts in the latest book. I currently have my 7th OBW in progress. It’s the first one I’m not real happy with. It’s going to stew in a box for a while, something will inspire me one of these days.
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Hi Jean. I loved your Fun in the Jungle! I’m blown away by the OBW Quilt Forum, they are amazing!
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