Not knowing what this will be would bug the whoops y out of me that being said I would consider using one color .Shades of blue ,shades of red or green .That would give you some control and you would not be stuck witha color you dislike in a dominant place in the quilt.A blue and white quilt is lovely as would be shades of purple or red or green.

I did one mystery quilt with our guild. They did give us direction to choose fabric for children. When the quilts were finished we donated them to a hospital. I liked it so much that I use that pattern now when I want to make a quilt for children. It was scarey, but I loved it.

go for it, we all need to widen out, easier when we take small opportunities to do so, nothing to lose, everything to gain.............................................. .......................................

I don't do a mystery quit to have a quilt. I don't think that is the main goal at all. I can make a planned quilt anytime by myself. I like the spirit of the endeavor and seeing how the same pattern is do different when everyone shows their finished quilt.

Thank you!!!! I thought I was the only one.

My first quilt was a mystery quilt. I loved it. All I knew was how much fabric to buy of light, dark, etc. It was so much fun I made a second one, not as enjoyable as the first but with different colors it looked so different.

I agree with this totally. This will push you outside your comfort box, which really is a good thing, in the end. You'll grow.
I'm in a Row Robin and a Brown Bag Groups right now, and the challenge of adding onto a block and making a row to go with the previous is a fun challenge.

WOF = width of fabric; in the ball park of 40-45 inches long depending on how wide your fabric is.
:)

HTH,
Mary

Getting supplies in order, so I have been told. Part of the problem is that things have a way of changing from one email to the next. First we were supposed to have 4 inch squares of fabric, 10 each from 2 different fabrics we wanted to stand out in the quilt. "No, they do not have to match the strip sets". (according to the instructor)

Now, we need 1 square each of 2 different fabrics and both squares cut on the diagonal. Or 4 triangles (2 from each square) per block. My question is -- what about the other 9 squares we had to cut 3 days ago????

I came off being snippy, I suppose. Honestly not my intention. I just fail to see what the hoopla is all about in refusing to give us a clue what the heck we are doing. My first block always sucks, at least to me. Second or third or 20th is always better. (yep, you're right -- they are rarely ever good enough in my eyes. Working on that) What is wrong with saying, hey, here are a couple of blocks others have done in the past with this pattern?? We were told it was okay to mix spring stuff with Halloween stuff and Christmas stuff in the same 22 inch wide by 40-45 inch long strip set because "once you're done with the block, it won't matter". Sorry, sunshine, it matters to me. :P

I do not have an unlimited budget. Some fabric I have, I could happily give away in a charity project and be glad it was gone. Some fabric was given to me specifically to use in charity projects. Unfortunately, none of that bunch really goes together, at least in my eyes. :D

The majority of my stash I bought with the intention to be totally selfish and make something either for someone I know and love or something for myself. I don't want to cut up fabric I really like to do a project that in the end turns out looking like a dog's breakfast but COULD have turned out beautiful had I known where to put darks or lights, or just to have plain used different fabrics altogether.

No one is holding a gun to my head if that is what you are asking.

Background info that might help. I did my first quilt March 2011. Lap quilt. Not bad for what it was and for a first time project. We did the 10 minute block, basic version. Our 2nd class/group project was a queen+ sized quilt. To be sewn on a domestic sewing machine. Mine did not go well. Piecing I did okay on. Quilting it was another matter altogether. The top sits in a zip bag for if and when I have the confidence and patience to finish the quilt. Batting, backing and binding also sorted and ready to rock. I ripped out quite a bit of quilting that I despised and put the whole thing aside in frustration. Every month when our group meets, our leader needles me because I have not finished the quilt and brought it to "show and tell". OK, not going there.

Our group has wonderful ladies in it. They are sweet, helpful and talented. They also have been quilting for 30+ years. They've only been machine quilting for the last 5 yrs or so. Our leader/instructor is gung-ho about showing stuff she's learned to do. Great. But remember, a student does NOT try calculus without first having had algebra and trigonometry. As our first time adventure in paper piecing, she wants to do one of the fairy quilt godmothers with pieces smaller than my fingernail. "Someday we are going to do that". Not me. I'll go watch but not participate in that one. :D

There is no continuity from one month to the next nor is there a lot of advance planning. We do not know what the next month's project/block/whatever will be until about 2 weeks ahead of time (and that much notice is rare), and usually after most of us have done the majority of our shopping for the month. I can't just run out to get something at the last minute -- the closest LQS to me is 60 miles one way. Even Wally world is 25 miles away. Planning would be very helpful.

Some of the ladies have deep pocketbooks. I don't. I also have a lot of issues where the spirit is willing but the body says, ain't gonna happen. I have some nasty complications from previous cancer surgery that while not visible are nonetheless life altering. People who have not been there don't get it because I look fairly normal on the outside. Bottom line, I can't always sit for hours on end at the sewing machine. I don't have a mid arm machine and a computerized stitcher to do my quilting for me. I do what I can when I can and I want the best use of my time and fabric I can get.

I was at a sewing expo a few weeks ago and took classes. Had a blast in 2 of them but had organized instructors who were more concerned with whether the student learned anything than whether they (the instructor) looked like a sage on the stage. The 3rd one was fun but the machines were tired and the class was unorganized.

I fail to see why we cannot be shown pictures of the pattern/block/project we are to do in the group. I'm not a mystery person. I've already been led down the garden path so to speak by the instructor several times in the past. i.e. We were supposed to have made 12 friendship star blocks that finished at 12 inches & bring to class. The class was going to pick out assortments of blocks & we were going to sash & sew them together into quilts for charity. My blocks are at home because "I've changed my mind, we are going to do something else. Take them home & use them for whatever". Not the last time that kind of thing happened.

She has a good heart, but her teaching methodology and I don't mix. Invariably, I will go to the group, stumble through with everyone else, come home & do research, then figure it out myself. I'm getting discouraged and about ready to toss in the towel & just play at home.

Thanks for the ideas, though!!
Mary