IceLeopard Insanity 2: the return
 

OK! Are you ready for another mystery? Have I got a block for you, my friends. And it’s weird. Very weird. But this one will be good for scrappy. Details tomorrow!

Your last one was so fun.... I will watching tomorrow. 👍

Yeah!!!! I'm up for the challenge.

Well, I just might sew on this one. I tried to get started last time but didn't get off my duff and get started. This time I am ready to start pulling fabric.

Just realized you said this would be scrappy. I am not good at scrappy. Would you give us a controlled color version to go along with the scrappy???

I'll be watching. Not sure if I will make it but I am up for a challenge.

I might do this one too. Your other mystery was beautiful.

I’m up for it. Will there be any specialty rulers used on this one?

No idea what I am "in for" but I am in for it! Love a mystery.

Whew! For a moment there i thought I wouldn't be able to do this. My secondary hard drive has decided to die and it will be a few days before my son-in-law can look at it. I thought all my notes were on it, but I was wrong. So, onto the fabrics!

This time you *will* be making blocks, so I haven’t given you directions for a larger quilt. Most components will be 3 inches finished. Fabric amounts are to make a lap quilt, so if you want a larger quilt you will need to take that into account. There are multiple borders, some pieced and some plain. I will tell you when we are making components for the border so you can wait and see if that’s what you want to do.

Again, you’ll need 4 different fabric colors. All colors need to have strong contrast with each other. I’ve taken EQ8's fabric totals and added 1/8 yard to them, just for caution’s sake. (Last time I ran out of my WoW and had to piece one plain block!)

#1 is a very light, cream or white or a very pale pastel. If you have sufficient scraps of the same color and value, this can be scrappy but I think it looks best as a constant. I have chosen to use a cream batik. You will need 1 1/2 yards.

#2 is a medium-light. I am using gold. This will look good as scrappy but can be a constant. You will need a total of 3/8 yard.

#3 is a medium-dark. You can go wild with the scrappies here. I am using teals and turquoises. I’ve got a whole box of blue-greens like that! You will need a total of 1 3/8 yards.

#4 is a very dark. It needs to be a constant because this is your background and plain borders. I am using chocolate brown. You will need 1 1/2 yards.

And this time, I’m going to throw a decision at you. Instead of using the terms “fabric 1, fabric 2,” etc. I’m going to use my color names. That’s because you can swap #1 and #4. Instead of having a dark background, you can use a light one. So if I say “make 1493 1" HSTs of cream and turquoise” and you’ve swapped them and are using black for your #1, and red for your #3, you’ll know to substitute your black for my cream. OK? (Don’t worry. There aren’t any 1" HSTs. This time.)

I’m thinking that it will take 6 weeks. As I said, I’m using cream, gold, teal/turquoise, and chocolate brown. But I’ve gone into EQ8 and hit it with the magic fairy wand to randomly change the colors, and some really cool combinations have come up. Black/white/gray/red; navy/red/white/gold; cream/soft pink/green/fuchsia; emerald green/sand/cream/violet; sand/Caribbean blue/purple/fuchsia; white/lilac blue/mint green/purple; dark gray, royal blue, gold, pale green; turquoise/red/cheddar/pale gold.

Again, for this project I made extensive use of my Deb Tucker trimdown rulers, but if you have some other choice you like, use those. My trimdown directions will be for an ordinary ruler, since not everyone will have specific rulers. If you have one, follow the manufacturers directions. If you’d rather make to size and not trim down, let me know.

I have some focus fabric that I would like to use. Are there any parts of this that will be at least a 4" square? And it is directional.

Better save that for another project. No component finishes larger than 3 inches and all of them are pieced in some way. A directional will not work. I recommend subtle batiks and hand-dye, blenders, and maybe solids. (I rarely work with solids -- too boring.) Most of my work emphasizes the pattern of the piecing, rather than the pattern of the fabric.

One way you could use that directional is as a palette for your colors. Let's say it's big red poppies on black. Match your working fabrics to the reds and black and greens of the poppies. Then you might be able to use your directional as a border and everything co-ordinates.

Thanks for such a quick response. I think I will do that.

I might join you. I just started one but am already behind. Trying to keep extra busy in the evenings rather than sitting here as if in a coma. laugh. So, I'm checking out my fabrics again. Always the most fun part.

Ice, In post #9 are your color suggestions listed in your order of #1, #2, #3, #4 so we can use the correct color for the correct yardage?

Yes. Whatever colors you decide to use for #1, you will need 1 1/2 yards and so on.

Hm, I guess you didn't understand my question. For example, if your suggested color combinations are in the correct order, then 'pale green' or 'pale gold' would be #4, but you list #4 as the darkest color so that's confusing. The color combinations sound interesting, but if I chose one of them, then I'm not sure which color would be the one you suggest nice as scrappy or which one would be better as constant. So, then the consternation in knowing how much yardage comes in. The suggestion of black, white, gray, red seems obviously out of order, even allowing for #1 and #4 to be switched. Is it the two mid-range colors that look good scrappy and the light and dark colors that look good constant?

Of your fabrics 1, 2, 3,4. Which one would be the standout or WOW colour please.

Yes, this exactly. I can't get to the examples that I saved in EQ 8, because that machine is now at my son-in-law's house being worked on. Sorry for the confusion.

#3. It doesn't have to be scrappy.

#1 & #4 are more or less your neutrals , and #2 uses the smallest amount of fabric in fairly small bits, so it doesn't really have a chance to stand out.

Since there was confusion, I've reordered some of them. And yes, some of them have a light color as #1, and some of them have a dark color as #1. Just remember that your #4 is the background and plain borders. Even in these suggestions, you can swap the darkest color for the lightest.

I appreciate everyone's questions and patience. I learned a lot with the last mystery, and it looks like I'm still learning.

Thanks ice

Ice your explanation is fine. I get what you are say about fabrics #1 & #4. I have my colors picked out. I'll post a picture this weekend. What days are you posting instructions?

Fridays again. That way you have all weekend to play with fabric.

Looking forward to your instructions. Thanks for doing this again. Do you have an idea of the size?

Size is a lap quilt/baby quilt, approximately 45"x60".

Week 1
 

Well, shoot and other such nice-old-lady cusswords. Not only do I not have a computer, I don't even have internet. I'm posting this from my tablet via a hotspot from my cellphone.

As such, I'm rearranging the order of what I'm having you do. This week should have been week 3. Instead it's now week 1.

Week 1 - 3" HSTs 48 cream/chocolate

Simple half-square triangles this week. Cut twenty-four 4-inch squares of cream (fabric #1) and twenty-four of chocolate(fabric #4). Mark a diagonal line on whichever color makes it easiest to see, layer cream and chocolate squares right sides together, sew on both sides of the drawn line, cut on the drawn line, press to the dark, & trim as needed to square your HSTx up to 3 1/2 inches.

Got your message and directions. Rats, crud and fiddle sticks are all good nice lady cuss words to use until you get your technology back. So sorry. It is frustrating but I bet every one will hang in with you until your world settles back into place. Love HST's and I can get then done over the week-end, most likely. Still picking out fabrics. Oops!https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/hug.gif

Having the directions hanging over my head, I just made my selections of fabric! Cutting tomorrow.

Here's my fabric choices and a pile of hst's. I still need to press open and trim.

Lovely colors Queen. I may change my color choices. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/wink.png At the moment I am struggling with a baby quilt. It is not hard, but has lots of precise points. I know the baby won't care but the father's mom, now deceased, was a master quilter and he knows "good" from "OK". May do the HSTs tomorrow just to relax from perfect points. Tee-Hee-Hee!

I decided to make a second color way in greens. You can kind of see them in chat #28 nest to the browns. This way I will have a reversible quilt. Browns on one side and greens on the other. I will post a better pictures of the green color way this weekend.

Well, I have changed my mind about fabric choices way to many times. This is it. No more changes.Trying to pick from stash and also meet fabric requirements. HST later today and then wait for Friday's next step.https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png It feels good to be ready to go.

That will be very pretty when you are done WMUTeach. I like the floral print.

Week 2 -- Quarter-square triangles.
 

Well, my PC is back, but I'm still without internet on it. But do not despair! I hooked the tablet up to the PC and transferred the images that I wanted to use. So unless I lose this tablet or do something dumb like drop it in the bathtub, everything is on it.

Week 2 - QSTs. 48 in brown/cream/teal. Finished size will be 3 inches.

This week is for quarter-square triangles. Some people call them hourglass blocks, but since this is also used for a different block, I’ve given you a picture. The east and west quadrants need to be teal/turquoise. North is chocolate brown, south is cream. (Remember these are my colors. Use your own choices.)

To make 48 units, cut twenty-four 4 1/2-inch squares of turquoise, twelve of brown, and twelve of cream. On the turquoise squares, mark a diagonal line from corner to corner. Layer half of the turquoise squares on cream squares, right sides together; sew 1/4 inch on both sides of the marked line. Cut along the line and press the resulting half-square triangles. Press to the turquoise side. Layer the remaining turquoise squares on brown, right sides together, and repeat marking, sewing, cutting, and pressing.

Mark the turquoise/cream HSTs with another diagonal line. Take one of the turquoise/cream HSTs and layer it right sides together with a turquoise/chocolate HST. If you’ve pressed to the turquoise side, the seam lines will nest. Make sure that your turquoises are not on top of each other! Sew 1/4 inch on both sides of the marked line. Cut on the line and press your QSTs. If you like, you can spin the seams so they will lie flatter.

If you measure them, you’ll see that they are a bit over 3 1/2 inches and they may be a bit wonky. That’s OK, because this next step is trimming them down to an exact 3 1/2 inches. Line up one of the diagonals of your QST to a diagonal on the ruler and make sure that the center is at 1 3/4 inches. Trim top and side. Rotate the unit 180 degrees, keeping the same diagonal lined up with the ruler line, the center on the 1 3/4 mark, and the first trimmed edges on the 3 1/2 inch mark. Again trim top and side. You may not be trimming more than a couple of threads, but now your units are the exact size and all the edges are square.

Thanks for the instructions Ice, but today is Thursday not Friday. Are you giving use an extra day to make these? I like getting them before Friday. I only sew on the weekends. Friday is my day off.

WMUTeach. I love your selection of colors! Sure wish I had some like those. Still trying to decide if any of mine that are long enough and go together. Thanks for showing them.
Jeanine

Thank you, Jeanine. The print of pink on tan and the hot pink are from another mystery of about 8 years ago that I gave up on and put the fabric back into the stash knowing I would use it at some point. My biggest challenge for this mystery is enough yardage. Fingers crossed.

Looking forward to seeing some examples of HST and QST later from all. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...s/rolleyes.png

* sigh * So it is. And I *knew* this because DH said something about it this morning.
I figured out how to post the picture and got so pleased with my own brilliance that I just *had* to post it right then.

So yes, this should have been posted tomorrow. Y'all just have an extra day now.

Thank-you IceLeopard for doing this for us!!!! I’m seriously thinking of joining in on this one. My 1st thought on colors: cream; greens; turquoise/blues/dark (scrappy); & dark brown. I’ll check this weekend for my stash colors and wash the fabrics. I’m just going to do a throw size. I so love mysteries and QAL’s.

Here are my blocks. With 4th color. Cant get picture to upload. My colors is off white blue with white print. Cheedar yellow and red print with lettering

Nrryan49, Here are the directions I use to upload a photo. Most often problems occur when the photo is too large or in step 5. Other folks go about this differently, but here is one that works for me.How to upload a photo to the Quilting Board
1. Write message
2. Click "Go Advanced"
3. In the box labeled Additional Options click "Manage Attachments"
4. Click "Browse" and locate your photo wherever you saved it on your computer.
5. Find the photo you wish to post click save and then upload. ***
This seems to be where folks stumble. The little box with the "Browse" button needs to be expanded so you can see the "Upload" button. It is on the far right and hidden until you expand the box. Just slide the right side of the box to the right ti see the "upload" button.
6. Preview Post and make changes if you wish or add an additional photo.
7. Click "Submit Reply".

**** I save my photos in a quilt photos file by year, but I also keep a second copy in a file where the photos have been resized to "medium". It this format will allow you to post to the QB. It seems there are multiple ways to do this and it all depends on your computer and software preferences. I

Hope this helps. It took me way too long to figure this out but now it seems to work well for me. Hope it will work for you too.