It's one of my favorite quilting times of the year -- The Bonnie Hunter Winter Mystery Quilt project for 2023-2024. Welcome to all, whether first time, multiple year participants and especially to the lurkers and those that watch but aren't doing the project. I hope you all will share your projects, pictures and questions. For me a big part of this is the sharing
I can't tell you how much it means to me and inspires me to see all the different variations.
What it is: Bonnie Hunter, a nationally known quilt artist shares a mystery project each year with sewing/cutting starting on Black Friday, the day after (US) Thanksgiving which this year is Friday, November 24, 2023. There will be (usually) weekly clues on Fridays that generally end sometime around January - February. This is a gift from Bonnie to the rest of us, while the mystery is going on the clues are free. After the mystery period you can still buy the pattern presented in a non-mystery format.
There is no swapping or mailing. Nothing to join. You can subscribe to Bonnie's email newsletter if you wish or just visit the site. We will provide the clue links here, but they will go to Quiltville.
Bonnie's Quiltville Website:
https://quiltville.blogspot.com/2023/
Mystery Specific Link:
https://quiltville.blogspot.com/2023...roduction.html
Our first clue is a month to think about fabric and get ready. We have paint chip numbers as a handy guide to help our color section, but when you look at the pictures she provides of the fabrics she selected, it is a general suggestion.
Rules: Bonnie asks very little of us, but we are guests in her project so we try to observe her requests. As she is the ultimate person responsible we are asked NOT to share numbers, measurements, or "spoilers" for people who really enjoy the mystery aspect. She will post any corrections needed on the website. It can be frustrating to be looking for something simple and easy like what Accuquilt die is/can be used -- but if Bonnie isn't telling we shouldn't either! We are able and willing to point each other to key points in the directions. Counts should be avoided because they can be used as spoilers or might have an error (that is, it is better to say something like "I got about half my units done today" as opposed to "16 out of 34 done"). While we love seeing each other's fabric selections and work in progress, we should avoid showing what we we think is the final layout before that is released. Besides, she usually puts in some things to preserve the mystery for as long as possible. She also asks that we don't take all the paint chips from our local stores. I think we can handle that.
What to expect: I think Bonnie gives us very clear directions, and often multiple ways to achieve the end results (which can be slightly confusing). But, if you've never done a roughly queen sized project before, this might not be the perfect way to start -- or maybe it will be the impetus you need! I'd say higher than beginner skills are needed, finished measurements often have pieces around 1" square and the overall design comes out best if precise. Her projects are typically very scrap oriented and often use small amounts that can be very random, sometimes she will have us match or make some identical units. To help prevent frustration, it is important to read and understand the directions, and that is part of what we are for on the boards, a support and encouragement group.
Not everyone is suited to mystery projects. I completely understand. Some people want to see the end result before they commit either time or money buying fabric. Bonnie will usually have suggestions on making fewer blocks for a smaller project. Speaking of fabric, there are many options available. I try to use all actual scraps/stash in colors close to what Bonnie recommends, I know I am getting really low on some color families and maybe will have to buy some fabric this year... A number of shops (on-line and local if you are lucky) will sell bundles, either for the entire project or specific color groups. It is a great time to use fat quarters. Some people use yardage of one fabric per color required. Some people will do marvelous things completely changing the palette to suit themselves or other challenges like using all solids or all 30s prints or whatever they wish.
To go along in "real time" as the clues are released can be quite a lot of sewing. Bonnie will usually have at least one light week for catch up, and if you can clear some time most clues can be completed reasonably in a day if your fabric/sewing space is ready. For me at this point of my life and this time of year, I have low demand on my time and energy and being winter it is nice to have something to do inside. Plus I have a dedicated sewing space and don't need to take down/put up equipment every day. There is just no way I could have kept up when I was a young single working mother or if I had a more active/larger family with more holiday commitments. I do recommend printing out the instructions and doing at least a couple of units per week if you can. One thing I can say, my quilting organizational skills and supplies have very much increased since I started doing these!
As "host" I see my biggest participation as being a cheerleader and in reminding everyone that this is their own project. They will all be wonderful and amazingly both the same yet different and we can get through the long slogs and we all make mistakes at some point. There are a lot of Bonnie Hunter UFOs (mystery or otherwise) out there and that's ok. Again, your project and your time schedule -- we are doing this for fun. I will try to be quick on posting each clue link or if there is a correction, but if any of you come on before me -- feel free to post! You never know when my power might be out or real life has come to take me away from the computer or the sewing machine but I promise to keep up until the end. If you are more of a lurker, I can guarantee if you have questions someone else does to so go ahead and post but if you'd rather send a private message that works too.
Let's have some fun and cut up some fabric! I missed Chilhowie last year because I was packed up to move, and don't have the Rhododendron project quilted yet but I am ready to warm up my sewing machine and my cutting for this year!