Tag Archives: One Block Wonders

Ruca the Technicolor Cat – OBW #77

Last January I had the great joy of meeting my half sister Marti for the first time. I also acquired many new family members.

When I saw this panel by Chong-A Hwang for Timeless Treasures, I knew I had to make a One Block Wonder for my Great Niece Alexa. Alexa has a wonderful cat named “Ruca”, whom she has had since she was in college. I met Ruca, a very special cat.

Even though this panel states it measures 24″ by 44″, by the time I cut apart the panels and squared it up, it was more like 23 1/2″ wide. For my finished hexies to fit evenly across the bottom of the panel I would have to make some adjustments. If I cut my strips 3 3/4″ wide, my finished hexies would be 6″ wide, which is not evenly divisible by 23 1/2″. I could just add fabric to the panel to bring it up to 24″ wide and then hide the extra fabric with appliqued hexagons as I have done before.

But I decided to trim the panel to fit the bottom rows of hexagons instead. If I cut my strips 3 1/2″, my finished hexies would be 5 1/2″ wide which would be evenly divisible into 22″. I don’t trim the panel until I’m ready to add the hexies. You can see that four finished hexagons (or 8 half hexies) will fit across the bottom of the panel. Here are my tips for Using Panels for a OBW:

using-panels-for-a-obw-copy Download

Ruca the Technicolor Cat, OBW #77 measures 62″ X 62″

I am so pleased with how this OBW came out. It was wonderful meeting you Alexa, thank you for your hospitality.

A Prickly Situation – OBW #76

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Yes, I’m at it again! Actually I’ve had this panel cut out since last Fall. I love One Block Wonders (OBWs). Sometimes I add cubes to create design interest or just for fun. It occurred to me that Studio 180 Design has a new Star 60 tool.

You can use this tool to cut equilateral triangles easily, along with 60 degree diamonds and side triangles in 17 sizes to create a multitude of 60 degree designs.

I played with Star 60 and created kaleidoscope stars and this 48″ star. Light Bulb moment!!!! Instead of inserting cubes in my OBW, why not a star?

I usually have left over triangles when designing my OBW’s. I had equilateral triangles cut that had a dark edge that was larger than a 1/4″. I was thought it might not make a pretty hexie. These triangles had been cut from 3 3/4″ strips. I laid my Star 60 tool on the triangles and discovered I could cut 3″ diamonds from it. This allowed me to use these left over triangles in a different way.

Way cool! Now I needed side triangles for the star points. I checked the size chart for 3″ diamonds and cut the appropriate size strip,

I cut the side triangles for my diamond star points.

Lay out your units. Stitch the first side triangle to the diamond and press toward the diamond.

Stitch the opposite side triangle, press toward the side triangle. LOOK what you have! An equilateral triangle.

Stitch 3 triangles together, and then the other 3 together, press seams open as you would a regular hexagon.

I began designing around my panel. I had great fabric “Canvas” from Northcott. This rich colors worked so well with panel.

I have stitched my hexie’s into four sections to add to my panel. My hexies were cut from 3 3/4″ strips, which means they will finish as a 6″ hexagon. For 6″ hexies to fit evenly across the width this panel should measure 18″ or 24″ wide. This panel is less than 24″ wide.

I did not want to trim my panel to 18″ so I added enough fabric to the panel to bring it up to 24″ wide and would be evenly divisible by 6″. Now to hide the strip.

There are 9 & a 1/2 Star 60 hexie’s in this quilt. The Star 60 tool also made it easy to cut half & whole hexagons. I’ve just barley scratched the surface of cool 60 degree design’s that can be added to a One Block Wonder. You can download my hints for using panels in a OBW below:

using-panels-for-a-obw-copy Download

Up Up & Away – OBW #75

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Quarantine quilt number 4 – “Up Up & Away, in My Beautiful Balloon”. While I was visiting my family in Lake Havasu City last January I got to attend their Hot Air Balloon Festival. It was fabulous.

I saw this panel by Greg & Company on eQuilter and just had to get it for a One Block Wonder.

First thing, decide what size strips to cut. I start by trying to get an idea of how many hexies will fit across the top and/or bottom of the panel. It is just like making a pieced inner border to fit around the center of a quilt. The width of the panel should be evenly divisible by the finished size of my hexagon block. This panel measured 34″ x 44″. Even though it is a large print that would support a 6″ finished hexie, the 34″ width is not evenly divisible by 6″. I did not want to trim too much off the panel so I decided to cut my strips 3 1/2″ wide. That would yield 5 1/2″ finished hexagons. If I trim one inch off the panel side making it 33″ x 44″, meaning 33″ divided by 5.5″ = 6. Now I know I will get 6 hexagons (or 12 half hexies) across the width of the panel both top and bottom. Download my Tips for Using Panels for a OBW:

using-panels-for-a-obw-copy Download

I started at the bottom and worked my way up the sides and across the top.

I used most of my hexagons and got achieved a design I was pleased with.

I number my rows and stitch the half hexies into rows. Then I join the rows pressing all seams open. I cannot stress enough how much easier it is to press your seams open with the help of my Strip Stick. I have 4 different sizes. The 48″ Strip Stick makes pressing the long seams open go quickly without disturbing the previously pressed seams.

I stitch my hexies into 4 groups. Top, bottom, left and right.

I decided I wanted to applique the bottom section to the panel first. Instead of trimming the points I pressed under a 1/4″ seam and stitched it onto the bottom of the panel. I chose to attach the right side next by matching up the dog ears as you would when joining the rows and stitch three quarters of the way up towards the top of the panel (partial seam).

By using a partial seam, it allows you to match up the dog ears of the top hexies with the side rows of hexies.

I will mark where the top hexies hits the top of the panel, add a 1/4″ seam allowance, trim the hexies and stitch to the top of the panel. I decided to trim the hexies because I did not want to cover the balloons.

Now I can finish the partial seam.

With the top, bottom and side hexies stitched in place, I can easily attach the left side hexies to the panel matching up the dog ears.

This is one colorful One Block Wonder. I have ordered some great fabric from Fabric.Com for the back.

As soon as it arrives I will quilt it and send it you Angie!

Tucker Approved!

Making Us Laugh Blog Hop

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Welcome to the Quilt Qwazy Queens “Making Us Laugh Blog Hop”! I don’t know if I will make you laugh, but I hope I make you smile!

I bought this fabric by Alexander Henry in 3 colorways. It is called California, based on Fiesta dishware by Homer Laughlin.

My contribution was to design a One Block Wonder around one repeat of fabric, and then speed it up! I’ve had this fabric for 5 years. Watch me design a OBW in 13 minutes.

Fiesta OBW Fast Forward

Below are the links for “Make Me Laugh” blog hop:

Wednesday March 18

Life in the Scrapatch

The Darling Dogwood

Words & Stitches

Websterquilt

Bejeweled Quilts by Barb

Creatin’ in the Sticks

Podunk Pretties

Thursday March 19

Just Let Me Quilt

BeaQuilter

Patchouli Moon Studio

Selina Quilts

Phoebe Moon Designs

Den syende himmel

Karen’s Korner

Friday March 20

If These Threads Could Talk

Kathleen McMusing

Samelia’s Mum

Seams To Be Sew

Quilt Fabrication

Ms P Designs USA

Monday March 23

One Circle Quilting

Quilt Schmilt

Devoted Quilter

Tuning My Heart Quilts

Home Sewn By Us

Farm Quilter

Tuesday March 24

Songbird Designs

Bumbleberry Stitches

Quilting Gail

Just Because Quilts

Patchwork Breeze

MooseStashQuilting

The Tree of Wisdom – OBW #74

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The fabrics shown in this post were given to me by Northcott Fabrics.

I just couldn’t help my myself. I love trees, and these are my colors!

When I saw this panel I just had to make a One Block Wonder (OBW). The Tree of Wisdom fabric line was designed by Kerry Darlington for Northcott Fabrics. Tree of Wisdom can be found at your local quilt shop and at Keepsake Quilting.

When I approach making a OBW using panels, the first thing I want to know is how wide the panel is. This panel is 24″ including the borders. I did not want to include the borders, I prefer the panel to merge with the hexies as seamless as possible.

The strip width you choose to determines the finished hexagon size:

3.75” strip width = 6.0” Finished Hexie

3.50” strip width = 5.5” Finished Hexie

3.25” strip width = 5.0” Finished Hexie

3.00” strip width = 4.5” Finished Hexie

2.75” strip width = 4.0” Finished Hexie

2.50” strip width = 3.5” Finished Hexie

2.25” strip width = 3.0” Finished Hexie

2.0” strip width = 2.5” Finished Hexie

When I measured the panel without the borders it was 20″. Therefore I cut my aligned strips 3.25″ wide for 5″ finished hexagons.

I start designing around the panel until I get a design I like. Because I know my finished hexies will be 5″ wide, I know there will be 4 hexies across the top and the bottom of the panel. That is why the second photo is offset, so I know which row of hexies will be on the right side of the panel.

I stitch my hexies into four goups: the left, right, top & bottom. I never trim my panel until I’m ready to attach the hexie sections.

I started with the top of the panel. I did not want to trim off my points, so I turned the edges under 1/4″ and pressed well, top stitching the hexies to the panel.

I match up the dog ears at the top and stitch the right side leaving a partial seam. This allows me to match up the dog ears of the right section with the bottom section of hexies. I decided not to trim these hexies either, so I Pressed under the edges to prepare for top stitching.

I have now completed the partial seam on the right of the panel and can now match up the dog ears on the left side of the panel at both the top and the bottom.

As you can see, I need to camouflage where the bottom hexies hit the bottom of the panel.

Can you tell where the bottom hexies hit the panel? To find out how I do this, download here:

using-panels-for-a-obw-copy-1 Download

Thank you Northcott fabrics and Kerry Darlington for this beautiful fabric.

#northcott #treeofwisdom #aurilthread #therstripstick #reliableirons #quiltersdreambatting

UPS Angel – Judy Jackson Update

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I’m so happy, Judy Jackson called this morning to say she received the OBW quilt I made her. She is absolutely thrilled and loves the quilt. Included in our thank you to Judy were hats made by my sister and chocolates!

I am so grateful to you for caring and doing a wonderful job. Thank you for finding my quilts!

Judy Jackson This OBW (#72) Is For You

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As most of you know, in January I was teaching and visiting family in Lake Havasu, Arizona. I had shipped 15 of my OBW’s there for a trunk show. When I shipped them back to NY, UPS lost them. The quilts were lost track of and didn’t make to the Chicago Area Consolidation Hub (CACH) in Illinois. I notified the UPS Store in Lake Havasu, they launched an investigation. My sister Mary started calling UPS. She was transferred from person to person and finally Judy Jackson (in a sort of Lost Found) answered the phone. Thank God! Judy began tracing my quilts and called us often with updates. Within days the quilts were located in UPS Corporate Offices in Georgia. The box had split apart and the label had come off. I sent photo’s of the quilts to Judy, plus my quilts are labeled with my name and State. I also had a list of the quilts in the box and my mailing address. My quilts were overnighted to me. Joy, Joy Joy! I have made 72 One Block Wonders, but I only have 19 myself. Most were given as gifts. My OBW’s were irreplaceable.

I’ve had this fabric by Timeless Treasures in my OBW stash for about 10 years. It is politically incorrect as there are no female delivery people. But I just could not resist making Judy a OBW using this fabric.

It made really cool Blocks.

As I played with the design I shared photo’s on Facebook. I was told it looked like a murmuration. I had to look it up – it is an organized formation when a flock of birds fly and change direction!

It is a very cool quilt to look at and identify where the blocks came from in the original fabric.

Pretty Cool!

This is the label on Judy’s quilt. Always find a way to label your quilts!

Join Me for a One Block Wonder Workshop

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Make your reservation now at the Strong House Inn May 14 – 17, 2020 for a One Block Wonder Workshop.

Strong House Inn – 94 West Main Street – Vergennes, VT 05491 – Amy Djordjevic, Innkeeper – Phone: (802) 877-3337 – StrongHouseInn@Gmail.com – www.StrongHouseInn.com

Join me (Jackie O’Brien, aka Quilt Ninja) for a creative journey learning to making a kaleidoscope/hexagon block using one fabric or pre-cut panels. I have made 71 One Block Wonders. Two of my quilts are featured in Maxine Rosenthal’s book “One Block Wonders of the World”.

In this class I will guide you to: Identify & cut 6 fabric repeats – Align the repeats – Cut equilateral triangles – Sew the hexagon blocks – Sort the blocks by predominate color – Design with the hexagons

The blocks are made from one fabric with very little waste! You cut and sew equilateral triangles forming hexagons and then design with these kaleidoscopic blocks. There are NO “Y” seams.

Because this quilt features one repeated block, design involves playing with the colors and shapes in any way you choose. The quilt you produce will have more energy and movement than the original fabric.

obw-supply-list-copy Download

Hug a Quilt Today!

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I have declared it “Hug A Quilt Day”! I lovingly carried all my quilts back down to Tuckerville. I hugged each one as they were either hung or folded on a shelf. I’m so happy my quilts are home! Thank you all for your prayers, kind words and support!

There’re Back!!!!!!

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Holy Moly, thank you Judy Jackson! My OBW quilts were delivered safe and sound 9:00 AM this morning after being lost for 13 days. Funny thing, they were in TWO boxes as I wanted. The UPS store in Lake Havasu put all 15 quilts in one box even though I didn’t want it that way.