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July 10, 2022
Flowers in the Mist – OBW #96 from If These Threads Could Talk

Flowers in the Mist measures 67″ x 69″

Double Checkerboard 60 Star and Cubes were made with the Star 60 Tool.

Original fabric is Brassica by Kaffe Fassett.

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April 27, 2022
A World of Wonders, OBW #95 from If These Threads Could Talk

I just completed my 95th One Block Wonder! I guess I need to shoot for making at least 100 OBW’s!

A World of Wonders

“A World of Wonders” is made from a panel by Josephine Wall and measures 72″ x 97″. I integrated Star 60 and Quad 60 Stars and Island Batik fabrics to enhance my quilt’s story.

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March 23, 2022
Chrysanthemum Quilt from If These Threads Could Talk

For the last year and half I been experimenting with Deb Tucker’s Star 60 Tool and adding stars and cubes to One Block Wonders (OBW).

Chrysanthemum Block

This block was created by the Studio 180 Design Brain Trust. I call it the Chrysanthemum. I put it in my OBW Star Chamber.

Star Chamber

I wanted to see what the Chrysanthemum block looked like as a quilt.

Chrysanthemum Quilt, measures 46″ x 60″

Holy guacamole, someone make me a margarita! This quilt just makes me smile and think of a fiesta.

I am teaching Zoom classes on OBW’s and ...

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March 14, 2022
Moving Forward – OBW #94 from If These Threads Could Talk

I love Josephine Wall’s panels. I call this one “Moving Forward”. It measures 74″ x 98″. The Framed 60 Stars, Log Cabin Stars and Cubes were made using the Star 60 Tool. (Technique sheets for the Log Cabin Stars and Cubes are coming soon.)

Moving Forward

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March 2, 2022
She Who Sews – OBW #93 from If These Threads Could Talk

I fell in love with this panel by Riley Blake.

Measures 24″ x 44″

I made my “She Who Sews” OBW using Studio 180 Design’s Star 60 tool to cut the triangles and make the cubes and stars.

She Who Sews, measures 66″ x 69″

Check out my upcoming classes for using the Star 60 tool on this site under the tab “OBW & Star 60 Zoom Classes”

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January 14, 2022
Star Chamber from If These Threads Could Talk

Star Chamber is my design created with the Star 60 tool & Striped 60, Framed 60, Checkerboard 60 Quad 60 & Caped 60 Technique Sheets.  The next Star 60 Basic Zoom Class is scheduled for January 22, 2022, sign up on this site under the OBW & Star 60 Zoom Classes tab.

Studio 180 Design is running an exclusive special through the end of January of 20% off the purchase price of the Star 60 and/or Wedge Star tools. You can purchase the tools at the links below: Use the code OBWwithStudio180 at checkout to get the discount.

Star 60 Collections

Wedge ...

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December 5, 2021
January is for Learning OBW from If These Threads Could Talk

Join me in January, I have scheduled OBW Class 1 twice. Go to the OBW Zoom Classes Tab for more information & to download the supply list. You must pay the class fee one week before the class so I will have your email address to send you the Zoom class link.

OBW Class 1: learn to identify, cut & align the repeats. How to choose the best strip width based on the fabric design. Learn to cut the strips & the equilateral triangles, plus working with panels.

January 8, 2022 – 1:00 PM (EST): Class 1

January 11, 2022 – 11:00 AM ...

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November 26, 2021
Ray of Hope – OBW #91 from If These Threads Could Talk

My latest One Block Wonder “Ray of Hope” a panel by Josephine Wall measures 79″ x 62″. I incorporated 6″ finished Framed 60 stars made with the Star 60 Tool.

Ray of Hope

Reserve your spot in my next OBW Zoom Class January 8, 2022, 1:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time). For class details click on the OBW Zoom Classes tab.

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October 24, 2021
Come Zoom With Me! from If These Threads Could Talk

I made my first One Block Wonder (OBW) in 2006! I was completely captivated by the process and the one of a kind quilts that are possible. So much so, that I have made 90 OBW’s so far and I have been teaching this class for 15 years..

I am offering a two part Zoom class. Each class is approximately 3 hours. The first class you will Identify, cut & align your repeats. You will then cut your equilateral triangles. The 2nd class is scheduled at least two weeks later to give you time to stitch your hexagons and sort ...

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October 2, 2021
Rainbow Forest OBW #90 from If These Threads Could Talk

Rainbow Forest by Alexander Henry

I saw this fabric by Alexander Henry and just had to have it. It is a large print with a 24″ repeat and is full of vibrant colors. I knew I want to add a large star constructed from Star 60 & Quad 60 units.

I made 3″ finished Quad 60 and Star 60 units.

I thought I would incorporate this 12″ hexagon into my design as is.

But, I decided to add points turning it into a 24″ star by adding 6″ finished Quad 60’s for the points.

The photo’s above show how ...

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September 22, 2021
There’s a Bat in the Belfry OBW #89 from If These Threads Could Talk

I have been on a journey this year to see how many stars and shapes I can place in a One Block Wonder.

Timeless Treasures Last Dance

I found this great fabric from Timeless Treasures called “Last Dance”. The Skeletons are about 6 1/2″ tall.

Octagons

Last Dance made some great octagons. I wanted to add a bat in my design also.

Moonlight Flight

My friend and fellow Studio 180 Design Certified Instructor Beth Sidley designs great patterns. I love Moonlight Flight and decided to use her bat for my quilt. You can purchase Moonlight Flight from her Etsy ...

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August 11, 2021
Celestial Journey – OBW # 88 from If These Threads Could Talk

I love Josephine Wall’s art, her fabric panels are glorious. They make spectacular One Block Wonders.

Celestial Journey panel measures 35″ x 43″

These panels must have been either the beginning of the run or the last. The outer edges were off be about 1/2″. I focused on aligning the panels around the unicorn. The outer edges were mostly space so it was not crucial they be perfectly aligned. I cut my strips 3.75″ by WOF.

Celestial Journey, 76″ x 100″

I wanted to give my travelers a destination. I created a nearby galaxy for them consisting ...

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July 21, 2021
DreamScapes – OBW #87 & Quad 60 from If These Threads Could Talk

I have had this panel by Artisan Spirit Dreamscapes by Ira Kennedy for Northcott for several years. The Dreamscapes panel measures 13″ x 20″. It came two in a panel, so I ended up with 14.

I partially completed the first set of 7 panels to show how to add the sections to the panel. I save this OBW classes.

I finally decided to complete the 2nd set of panels. I cut the strips 2 3/4″ for 4″ finished hexies. In hind site I wish I would have made them smaller. To add more hexies and enhance the hexies ...

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July 10, 2021
Spirit of Flight – OBW #86 from If These Threads Could Talk

One day, several months ago I received a text from my sister Marti in Arizona. She frantically wanted to know how panels were needed for a One Block Wonder (OBW). I quickly answered “7” panels were needed. I thought she must have a found a fabulous panel to work with. Then about a week later I a received a package from Marti.

Spirit of Flight by Josephine Wall

Marti had sent me 7 panels by Josephine Wall & 3 Wishes. I was obsessed and couldn’t wait to make this panel into a OBW. Marti said this would be me when ...

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May 16, 2021
Cyclones Amongst the Lotus Leaves – OBW # 85 from If These Threads Could Talk

I’ve discovered a whole new way to jazz up my One Block Wonders (OBW)!

I pin my orphan blocks to the drop ceiling in my quilt studio. As I was looking up at them I realized that a Cyclone block could be added to a Octagon OBW! You only need the Cyclone Technique Sheet and a Tucker Trimmer I.

You can make this block in 9 sizes from 4″ to 12″. This block is fun and easy. You don’t have to match up seams!

My original Fabric, Lotus Leaves

I made my octagons 6″ finished, so I will ...

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April 20, 2021
Flowers of the Sun – OBW #84 & the Diamond Four Patch Wedge from If These Threads Could Talk

Continuing my journey to create interesting embellishments for my hexagon and octagon One Block Wonders (OBW’s). I created fabulous stars using Studio 180 Design’s Diamond Four Patch Wedge Technique Sheet and the Wedge Star Tool.

Flowers of the Sun by South Sea Imports

Once again I went to my OBW stash, I’ve had this beautiful large large print for at least 10 years. When I showed it to my friend Sue Tucker she immediately suggested Aqua stars be added.

Groovy Seam Rippers are my favorite

I went to my Joen Wolfrom Color Wheel. To find a complimentary ...

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March 26, 2021
Misty Jungle OBW #83 with Capped 60 Cubes from If These Threads Could Talk

I pulled this 2004 Alexander Henry fabric called Misty Jungle from my stash to play with adding Capped 60 cubes to my OBW.

Alexander Henry Misty Jungle

Although the fabric has a 24″ repeat the design elements were about 3 to 4 inches, so I decided to cut my strips 3 1/4″ to make 5″ finished hexagons. Using my Star 60 tool, I cut my equilateral triangles.

Once I designed my hexies to get an almost final design, It’s time to decide about cubes. I am using Deb Tucker’s Capped 60 Techniques Sheet. The Capped 60 Technique ...

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February 17, 2021
Sensational Squares with the Square/Squared Tool from If These Threads Could Talk

I just finished quilting “Lion Eyes” Octagonal One Block Wonder. I had 18 Sensational Squares sets left over.

Remember, Sensational Squares are the triangles that fill the space between the octagons.

I wanted to add the left over Sensational Squares to the borders of the quilt.

I made my Sensational Squares into Square/Squared units using my Studio 180 Design Square/Squared tool.

There are 3 parts to this tool.

The Center Square Section, which gives you a series of squares that are precisely drafted so that their diagonal measurement is exactly the finished size of the Square²™ unit.

The ...

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February 5, 2021
Rainbow Kitty OBW #82 & the Star 60 Tool from If These Threads Could Talk

The official name for this quilt is Samantha’s Rainbow Kitty. This quilt was made with love for my Granddaughter Sam. It was supposed to be finished for Christmas but it is in time for my special Valentine.

Panel by Chong-A-Hwang for Timeless Treasures

Why did I choose 5.5″ Finished Hexagons?

This panel measured 23 inches wide. I chose 5.5″ (Cut my strips 3.5″) finished hexies because 4 X 5.5 = 22″. Now I only have trim 1/2″ from both sides and my hexies will fit along the bottom and the top of the panel.

Checkerboard ...

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January 22, 2021
Something Fishy – OBW #81 & the Wedge Star Tool from If These Threads Could Talk

Something Fishy was made with fabric called Atlantis by Sentimental Studios for Moda. I have had this 6 yard piece in my One Block Wonder (OBW) stash for 12 o 13 years. Evidently I like to age my fabric before I cut it up.

This is my second octagon OBW. Like hexagon OBW’s, octagon OBW’s can be made in many sizes. I will show you how to use the Wedge Star Tool Instructions to choose different size octagons and add different octagon blocks to your quilt. The numbered steps in this post refer to steps outlined in the ...

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