Marlouse Carter - Wonky One-Block Quilts: Simple Technique, Dramatic Results

Text copyright 2011 by Marlous Carter

Artwork copyright 2011 by C&T Publishing, Inc.

Publisher: Amy Marson

Creative Director: Gailen Runge

Acquisitions Editor: Susanne Woods

Editor: Liz Aneloski

Technical Editors: Teresa Stroin and Gailen Runge

Cover Designer: Kristy Zacharias

Book Designer: Christina D. Jarumay

Production Coordinator: Jenny Leicester

Production Editor: Alice Mace Nakanishi

Illustrator: Wendy Mathson

Photography by Christina Carty-Francis and Diane Pedersen of C&T Publishing, Inc., unless otherwise noted

Published by C&T Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 1456, Lafayette, CA 94549

All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright hereon may be used in any form or reproduced by any meansgraphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systemswithout written permission from the publisher. The copyrights on individual artworks are retained by the artists as noted in Wonky One-Block Quilts. These designs may be used to make items only for personal use or donation to nonprofit groups for sale. Each piece of finished merchandise for sale must carry a conspicuous label with the following information: Designs copyright 2011 by Marlous Carter from the book Wonky One-Block Quilts from C&T Publishing, Inc.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Carter, Marlous, 1960

Wonky one-block quilts : simple technique, dramatic results / Marlous Carter.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-1-60705-201-2 (softcover)

1. Quilting. 2. Patchwork quilts. I. Title.

TT835.C386 2011

746.46dc22

2010033969

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Judy Hugo, friend and silent partner (well, not
so silent!), has, over time, evolved from friend to
proofreader/editor, pattern tester, and overall
cheerleader. I could not do this without her.

Karen Gibbs, friend and longarm quilter extraordinaire,
who always makes my quilts look fantastic

Nancy Frank, whose longarm quilting hobby has grown
into so much more

Diana Marshall of the Gloversville Sewing Center, a
most understanding and supportive boss

Linda Fieldhouse, Linda Noto, and Claudia Collins,
binding fairies spectaculaire

Liz Aneloski and the rest of the knowledgeable and
friendly staff at C&T Publishing, who did not mind
holding my hand and guiding me through the exciting
process of authorship

I absolutely love this wonky technique because it adds a layer of interest to any quilt block. Movement, visual interest, and unique block settings always catch my attention when Im walking through a quilt show. With the wonky technique, my old favorites get a face-lift. No matter what traditional block I begin with, as soon as Ive wonky cut the blocks and put them together, something new and wonderful emerges. The quilt has attitudeand who wouldnt like a little attitude in their quilts? After the block is wonky cut, the rigid lines, so familiar in traditional quilts with traditional settings, give way to an appearance of movement. The possibilities are endlessyou can add the wonky technique to any traditional block you love.

Just look at what happens to a traditional Four-Patch!

No special templates, rulers, or gadgets are needed for this technique. With your trusty 12 12 acrylic ruler and a rotary cutter (with a new blade, of course), you are on your way to a successful wonky experience.

I like to vary the style of quilts I do. Sometimes I want the simplicity of having to choose only four or five fabrics. Other times I like the challenge of having to choose 20 fat quarters. And then there are the times I like to just grab a 2 prepackaged strip bundle and go to town.

The eight projects in this book cover a wide range of tastes and stylesso there should be something for everyone. And all the projects have directions for various sizes.

The first chapter contains some basic tips and suggestions. The second chapter describes the wonky techniqueyoull be surprised at its simplicity. Step 1 is squaring the blocks so that they truly are all the same size. This is absolutely necessary for the wonky cut to be a success. Then, with a twist of the ruler, you slice awayand presto, a block with attitude!

The first project is what I like to think of as a tutorial. Its basis is the Four Patch block; easy to piece, easy to wonky cut, and easy to construct. The bonus is that even though it is simple, the finished quilt looks intricate and eye-catching. By wonky cutting this simple, traditional block, you can see how stress-free it is to add new appeal to a traditional block. The steps in the wonky technique are the same no matter which traditional block you choose and no matter what size you need. Thats what makes this technique so much fun.

A variety of border styles are presented in Bodacious Border Techniques and Options. Borders are an integral part of the overall design of a quilt. For this reason, you are given a selection of options: traditional single-fabric strips, pieced strips, crazy piecing, and raw-edge appliqu. And you can even use your leftovers for some of the border options.

Choose a project and enter the world of wonky cutting. You will never look at a block the same way again!

Before we get to the heart of this book, Id like to share some basic stuff Ive discovered over the years.

Fabric is candy for quilters; it is our passion, our obsession, our addiction. We spend countless hours at the local quilt shop as we agonize over the perfect fabric grouping for the next project. Choosing fabric for a quilt can be challenging, as we put a little of ourselves in each quilt we make. For this reason, the fabrics you choose have to be perfect